The New Operating Model for Finance in 2026

Finance teams enter 2026 under pressure from volatile markets, maturing AI systems and tougher demands for control. Across banking, corporate finance and financial services, the focus has shifted to making intelligence reliable, accountable and usable at scale. Drawing on insights from Rydoo, Trintech, RFI Global and Forbes, several themes emerge that could shape how finance teams prepare for the year ahead.

AI Moves from Experimentation to Accountability

Artificial intelligence remains the dominant force reshaping finance in 2026, but its role is changing. According to Trintech’s analysis of finance leadership trends, AI is no longer judged by its potential but by measurable outcomes. CFOs are now expected to prove return on investment, ensure auditability and integrate AI into real financial workflows rather than isolated pilots.

IDC’s FutureScape 2026 highlights the rise of agentic AI systems that can initiate actions, orchestrate workflows and support enterprise decision-making. Rydoo similarly notes that agentic AI is moving finance beyond automation into decision support. These systems can monitor spending patterns in real time, trigger corrective actions and predict working capital needs with minimal human intervention. The shift signals a tightening of tolerance for opaque or experimental AI tools. As Trintech notes, AI in finance must now be explainable, governed and defensible under regulatory scrutiny.

Data Quality Becomes the Foundation of AI Success

While AI capabilities appear to be rapidly advancing, analysts consistently identify data quality as one of the tool’s main constraints. Trintech reports that most AI failures in finance stem from fragmented or inconsistent data rather than model design. Financial data often sits across multiple ERPs, subledgers and spreadsheets with unclear ownership and limited reconciliation.

Without clean and governed data, organisations risk remaining stuck in what Trintech describes as “pilot purgatory”. This has direct implications for talent. As mechanical tasks are automated, finance teams are expected to develop AI literacy, data interpretation skills and narrative reporting capabilities.

Deloitte’s “Finance Trends 2026” report reinforces this shift, noting that 64 percent of finance leaders plan to infuse more technical skills into their teams. The role of finance is becoming less operational and more analytical, with greater emphasis on judgement and strategic input.

Cybersecurity Becomes a Core Finance Function

Cybersecurity is no longer confined to IT departments and financial control is increasingly framed as a form of institutional defence rather than administration. Rydoo’s research shows that finance teams now sit at the centre of fraud risk due to their control over payments, reimbursements and vendor data. Netwrix’s 2025 Cybersecurity Trends Report found that over half of organisations experienced a security incident in the past year, with phishing the most common threat.

AI-generated fraud has accelerated this risk. Rydoo highlights the growing prevalence of deepfake invoices, voice cloning and automated phishing, resulting in cyber attacks that cause both financial losses and regulatory breaches. As a result, CFOs are tightening approval chains, increasing real-time verification and working more closely with IT and compliance teams.

Compliance Shifts from Reactive to Continuous

Compliance requirements continue to expand across markets. Rydoo points to the EU’s VAT in the Digital Age initiative which has been rolling out since 2024 and mandates e-invoicing to improve tax collection and reduce fraud. With around 14 percent of expenses still non-compliant across organisations, early detection has become critical.

AI is increasingly used to validate invoices and expenses at the point of entry. Suspicious patterns, duplicates and policy breaches can now be flagged in real time rather than during audits. Trintech reports that leading finance teams are moving toward always-on control monitoring using AI-driven risk scoring and anomaly detection. This transition is redefining audit and governance. Deloitte notes that AI-enabled controls and continuous monitoring are becoming essential as AI becomes embedded in forecasting, reporting and performance management.

Real-Time Finance Replaces Monthly Cycles

Traditional monthly close cycles are losing relevance. Rydoo argues that real-time finance will become the standard in 2026 as systems shift toward continuous data updates. This allows issues to surface as they occur rather than at the month’s end.

The impact extends beyond efficiency. Continuous finance gives CFOs greater visibility into financial health and allows forecasts and budgets to adapt quickly to market changes. Visibility is increasingly treated as a risk mitigation tool. Real-time insights help finance leaders respond faster and build trust with stakeholders. In this environment, delayed reporting becomes a competitive disadvantage.

Consumer Trust and Digital Experience Define Financial Services

From a consumer perspective, RFI Global’s “Financial Services Trends & Predictions 2026” report highlights trust as the main barrier to AI adoption. Drawing on data from over 200,000 consumers worldwide, the report finds that even in markets such as the US and Hong Kong — around four in five consumers express concerns about AI-powered banking. The strongest concerns relate to transparency, accuracy and loss of human interaction. Financial institutions that combine AI tools with clear explanations and human support are better positioned to build confidence.

Digital experience has become the primary battleground for customer loyalty. RFI Global reports that features enhancing control and transparency are increasing rapidly. Over the past two years, the ability to lock cards has grown by 13.8 percent and 16 percent of banks globally have added in-app account closure.

Neobanks are entering a new phase defined by engagement rather than growth alone. RFI Global data shows that in the US, neobanks’ share of primary banking relationships rose from 4.6 percent in 2022 to 8.7 percent in 2024. In the UK, this figure increased from 3.5 percent to 5.9 percent by mid-2025. This shift reflects growing trust and broader product offerings. As consumers prioritise value and frictionless digital services, neobanks are increasingly positioned as primary providers rather than secondary accounts.

Tokenisation and Quantum Computing Gain Momentum

Forbes identifies asset tokenisation as one of the most significant financial trends entering 2026. The tokenised assets market reached USD 25 billion in 2025, representing a 245-fold increase since 2020. Assets ranging from real estate to fine wine and spirits are increasingly traded using blockchain-based smart contracts.

Quantum computing is also moving from theory to application. Forbes reports that institutions including JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs and HSBC began using quantum technologies in 2025 for risk analysis and portfolio optimisation. In 2026, hybrid computing models combining classical and quantum systems are expected to scale further.

Preparing for 2026

Across all forecasts, a consistent message emerges. Finance leaders are no longer rewarded for adopting technology quickly but for implementing it responsibly. AI, automation and advanced analytics are becoming inseparable from governance, cybersecurity and compliance.

As Rydoo concludes, adaptability is the defining skill for finance teams entering 2026. Those that combine real-time visibility, governed AI and evolving skill sets will be best placed to navigate uncertainty and build long-term resilience.

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