Findings from the Financial Services State of the Nation 2026 survey show that Singapore respondents consistently rank above the global average, and often at the top of the leaderboard; across AI readiness, AI adoption, cloud enablement, and broader measures of technology capability and organizational preparedness.

Singapore leads on AI readiness and adoption

Singapore institutions demonstrate a strong foundation for scaling AI responsibly, securely, and at pace. The data reflects a sector that has moved decisively from experimentation to meaningful deployment:

• 64% of institutions are already actively deploying AI across key business functions, signaling that AI has moved from pilot projects into operational reality.

• A further 35% are piloting or researching AI, demonstrating sustained investment and a healthy innovation pipeline.

• None report having no plans to adopt AI, underscoring a nationwide commitment to AI transformation.

These results confirm that Singapore’s financial institutions are progressing beyond small‑scale experimentation and into disciplined, production‑grade execution.

Technology maturity supports execution

Singapore’s AI leadership is reinforced by a deeply modernized technology landscape, enabling institutions to unlock value faster and more safely:

• 71% of respondents rate their core technology infrastructure ahead of their peers, indicating strong confidence in their modernization efforts.

• Institutions cite improved scalability, stronger data foundations, and enhanced integration capabilities as key drivers of accelerated modernization.

• This level of maturity enables organizations to operationalize AI initiatives more efficiently and extract tangible business benefits such as improved automation, better customer insights, and enhanced risk management.

Security & reliability are competitive strengths

Cyber resilience remains a top priority for Singapore institutions, and the findings demonstrate strong confidence in their security posture:

• 71% say they are ahead of peers on security and reliability, highlighting industry‑wide commitment to robust controls, resilient architectures, and compliance with stringent regulatory expectations.

• The combination of strong cybersecurity capabilities and reliable infrastructure enhances trust both among customers and ecosystem partners and supports secure deployment of AI and cloud‑based technologies.

Customer experience leadership

Singapore’s financial institutions continue to set the standard for customer‑centric innovation:

• 69% believe their customer experience and personalization capabilities are ahead of peers, reflecting the region’s leadership in hyper‑personalized interactions, digital-first engagement, and seamless omnichannel service delivery.

• Only 8% consider themselves behind, underscoring widespread focus on elevating customer journeys through better data, smarter analytics, and AI‑powered personalization.

• 83% plan to invest in CX and personalization initiatives, including real-time payments, 24/7 chatbots, and banking that align with their customers’ values in their current offerings.

Cloud‑first, partner‑smart operating model

Singapore’s financial sector demonstrates balanced and strategic adoption of cloud and ecosystem partnerships:

• 55% host all or mostly in the cloud, with a further 30% operating hybrid environment, signaling a strong shift toward scalable, secure, and flexible infrastructure.

• Only 13% remain mostly on‑premise, reflecting progress toward cloud‑driven modernization.

• When acquiring new technology capabilities, 55% develops internally, 32% use a blended approach with fintech partners, and 9% rely primarily on partnerships, showing disciplined ecosystem engagement where it enhances speed, innovation, or specialization.

Change‑ready culture and operating model

Singapore’s readiness for ongoing technological and cultural change sets it apart:

• 84% say their organizations are prepared for technological and cultural change, supporting sustained transformation.

• Only 7% consider themselves unprepared, among the lowest levels recorded, indicating strong leadership alignment and mature change‑management frameworks.

This high level of readiness underpins Singapore’s ability to adopt emerging technologies quickly and responsibly, ensuring continued competitiveness in an evolving global landscape.

“Singapore institutions are showing what AI execution at scale really looks like,” said Chris Walters, CEO of Finastra. “This is not about isolated pilots. It is about embedding AI into core operations, supported by modern infrastructure, strong data foundations, and disciplined governance. That combination enables institutions to move faster, while strengthening security, trust and customer experience – the foundations of long-term competitive advantage.”

The Financial Services State of the Nation 2026 research surveyed senior leaders at financial institutions across 11 global markets, including Singapore.