PLANO, Texas—New research showing that data integration, artificial intelligence and execution—not just digital features—are now defining competitive advantage in business banking has been released by Alkami.
The company said its “2026 Update to the Business Banking Digital Maturity Model,” developed in partnership with Jim Marous and Emerald Research Group, builds on a 2024 study and examines how U.S. financial institutions are evolving strategies in an increasingly data- and AI-driven market.
According to Alkami, the research surveyed banks and credit unions nationwide to identify what separates digitally mature organizations from their peers. The company said the findings indicate success is “increasingly tied to how effectively institutions connect data, workflows and decision-making across the full banking lifecycle, including account opening, onboarding, servicing and fraud prevention.”
A ‘New Phase’
“Business banking digital maturity has entered a new phase,” Marla Pieton, vice president of brand, public relations and influencer marketing at Alkami, said in a statement. “The financial institutions pulling ahead are those that unify their data, operationalize insights, and execute consistently. AI is accelerating this shift, but only when built on a strong data foundation.”
The Key Findings
Alkami reported the following key findings from the study:
- Data readiness is the foundation for AI success: The company said the most digitally mature institutions report higher levels of complete, actionable client data (71%), enabling faster decision-making and more personalized experiences.
- AI adoption is accelerating: Alkami said 81% of financial institutions are leveraging, exploring or piloting AI agents, particularly in digital account opening, servicing, fraud detection and relationship management.
- Digital maturity is not linear: The company said some institutions progress gradually while others advance through rapid growth spurts.
- Execution is the differentiator: Alkami said institutions that align culture, strategy and technology—and act on their data—are outperforming peers and emerging as market leaders.
Three Priorities
The research also identified three priorities shaping business banking digital maturity in 2026, according to Alkami:
- Digital account opening and self-service: Streamlining funding, automating identity verification and accelerating onboarding to reduce friction and speed account activation.
- Automated fraud prevention: Embedding real-time, intelligent fraud controls throughout the client journey to mitigate risk and maintain continuous security.
- Improved employee technology and integrations: Providing unified data, streamlined workflows and training to enhance productivity and client support.
Jim Marous, owner and CEO of Digital Banking Report, said in a statement that the industry has moved beyond experimentation.
“Over the past year, the conversation about digital maturity in business and commercial banking has shifted from experimentation to execution,” Marous said. “AI is no longer a futuristic concept; it is actively shaping strategy, investment decisions and competitive positioning across the sector.”
An ‘Ongoing Process’
Alkami said the research underscores that digital maturity remains an ongoing process, with institutions needing to continuously modernize and refine strategies as competition intensifies, including from neobank entrants.
The company added that organizations embedding data and AI into their culture and operations are best positioned to drive measurable outcomes and remain competitive in the evolving business banking landscape.
