American Banker's 2026 Predictions Report
American Banker’s 2026 Predictions Report was fielded online during October and November of 2025 among 174 banking professionals who work across a variety of executive roles at banks, credit unions, neobanks and payments companies.
Top findings from the report- Fraud and cybersecurity events are predicted to worsen in 2026.
- Worsening hacks and fraud schemes will create greater risks to the financial sector over the coming months.
Results from the report are highlighted below using interactive charts. Mouse over each section for more detail, click on the chart labels to show or hide sections and use the arrows to cycle between chart views.
This item is part of a series diving into new data from American Banker, so check back for the latest updates.
- Part one:
Bankers forecast 2026 upheaval in cybersecurity, regulation - Part two:
Bankers fear economic struggle in 2026 - Part three:
Fraud will remain a top problem for banks in 2026, but AI could help - Part five:
Bankers wary of nonbank payment rivals in 2026
The growing cybersecurity and fraud problem for banks
Bankers are on heightened alert for fraud and cyberattacks in 2026.
It's a high possibility, according to respondents, that
Data released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation
"Once the impersonators have access and control of the accounts, the cyber criminals quickly wire funds to other criminal-controlled accounts," the FBI alert stated.
This trend has become so problematic that JPMorganChase was driven to launch what it's dubbed the
Features of the initiative include alerting customers when it detects instances of suspicious activity and allowing consumers to name a trusted contact to additionally notify when transactions are flagged. The bank also has a special team of representatives trained to help older and vulnerable customers who are more prone to financial abuse.
"Protecting our customers from fraud and scams requires a united front — banks, technology companies, social media platforms and law enforcement all have a role to play," Jennifer Roberts, CEO of Chase Consumer Banking, said in a
In addition to fraud, cybersecurity attacks are predicted to become more frequent and harder hitting. Fifty-two percent of bankers said this dynamic was virtually a certainty for 2026, with a further 43% responding that this shift will probably happen.
This month, marketing and compliance vendor Marquis Software Solutions disclosed that it was the
Another noteworthy cybersecurity incident from last year involved alleged associates of Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan transnational criminal organization, who deployed malware to
Key takeaway: Fraud schemes are predicted to become more sophisticated in the coming months, while cybersecurity attacks will similarly grow in frequency and severity.
How much risk will these trends create?
The vast majority of respondents, about 90%, said increasingly sophisticated schemes will create severe risks in the U.S. banking industry as a whole. Nine percent responded that only a little risk will be created and 1% said no risk at all would be created.
Similarly, more than 90% of respondents expected increasingly severe cybersecurity attacks will pose risk to the banking industry in the coming year. Seven percent said little risk would be created and 1% said no risk at all.
A
New changes in the fraud landscape are set to take effect in March, as the National Automated Clearing House Association
The changes to existing regulations are aimed at combatting the rise of sophisticated authorized push payment, or APP, fraud and business email compromise, or BEC, scams, which often trick legitimate account holders into authorizing fraudulent payments.
Key takeaway: Worsening cybersecurity breaches and fraud scams will create greater risks to the financial sector in 2026.
