If you’ve worked in financial services for a while, you know most change doesn’t arrive dramatically. It builds over time: a new platform becomes standard, a regulatory tweak shifts how risk is interpreted, or a small internal pilot gradually becomes part of everyday operations.
2026 feels less like upheaval and more like momentum. Ideas that were once labelled “emerging” are now embedded in day-to-day decision-making. That shift is influencing workforce planning, leadership structure and career pathways alike. Here’s what we’re noticing at Godfrey Group as the year unfolds.
1. Technology Trends in Financial Services: AI Becomes Part of the Workflow
Across banks, advice firms and finance teams more broadly, AI is moving from experimentation into everyday use. Gartner predicts that 90% of finance functions will deploy at least one AI-enabled solution by 2026, and that shift is already reflected in hiring briefs.
In practical terms, AI is being used for:
- Credit and lending assessments
- Compliance monitoring
- Portfolio modelling
- Customer risk analysis
Leaders aren’t asking whether AI is relevant anymore; they’re asking whether their teams know how to work with it properly. AI technology trends in financial services are shaping role requirements, particularly around analytical judgement and risk oversight. Candidates who can operate comfortably alongside automation, rather than feeling threatened by it, are increasingly in demand.
2. Banking Industry Trends: Personalisation Becomes Operational
One of the clearer banking industry trends is the move towards real-time personalisation. Banks are using customer data to adjust products, pricing and offers as people interact with them, not just to send more targeted marketing emails. Institutions using advanced AI personalisation have reported engagement increases of up to 200%, which is why this has shifted from a marketing idea to something that directly affects revenue.
As a result, there’s more focus on how data is managed, how quickly products can adapt, and how teams are structured. Banks that invest in strong data systems are better able to respond as customer expectations continue to rise.
3. Wealth Management Trends: Human Advice, Powered by Technology
Predictions that digital platforms would replace advisers haven’t materialised in the way some expected. Research shows that a majority of affluent clients would still pay more for human-led advice than for a purely digital model.
Instead, wealth management technology trends are focused on supporting advisers behind the scenes. In the Superannuation sector, this is particularly relevant as funds are under pressure to offer affordable, technology-supported “scaled advice” to more members.
The latest trends in wealth management include:
- Automated compliance documentation
- AI-assisted portfolio construction
- Faster scenario modelling
From our conversations with advisers, the interest lies in reducing administrative load rather than removing the human element. These wealth management trends allow advisers to focus more on the areas where they create real value, such as strategy, relationships and long-term planning.
4. Embedded Finance Becomes Standard Practice
Financial functionality is increasingly integrated into non-financial platforms, with the embedded finance market projected to reach approximately $115 billion USD in 2026. These trends in financial services are expanding partnership models and reshaping competition.
We’re seeing finance industry trends shift towards:
- Deeper API integration between banks and third-party platforms
- Strategic partnerships with retail, travel and software providers
- Faster product deployment inside digital ecosystems
- Greater focus on user experience within non-traditional channels
We’re also seeing more hiring briefs ask for experience with platforms and external partners, as competition isn’t limited to traditional banks anymore. Financial services are now built into other products and apps, so businesses need people who know how to work in that environment.
5. Digital Assets Become Part of Formal Risk Discussions
With clearer regulatory frameworks emerging, digital assets are moving into more structured discussions. Following the introduction of the GENIUS Act in 2025, stablecoin transaction volumes rose from $6 billion in February to $10 billion by August. While this legislation is US-based, regulatory clarity in major markets tends to influence global financial institutions, including those operating in Australia.
That shift is now showing up in risk, treasury and compliance teams. Even institutions not directly offering digital asset products are reviewing governance and exposure. Once it reaches board level, it typically moves beyond theory and into formal oversight.
6. Wealth Management Technology Trends and the Financial Sector Outlook
Customer behaviour around product discovery is evolving. It’s predicted that by 2026, human visits to financial websites may decline by around 20% as AI-driven search increases. If customers start asking AI tools to compare mortgage rates or shortlist advisers, your brand may not be discovered the same way it is today. That changes how firms think about digital presence, data quality and third-party platform relationships.
How We’re Seeing These Financial Services Trends Play Out
At Godfrey Group, these financial services trends show up in real conversations every day. Hiring briefs are evolving, employers are reassessing capability, and candidates are asking sharper questions about where wealth management and banking industry trends are heading. Because we work exclusively within financial services recruitment, we see how broader finance industry trends translate into real-world decisions like where skill gaps are forming.
Plan for 2026 With the Right Market Insight
If you’re reviewing your hiring plans or considering your next move, we’re here to provide a clear view of how these trends in financial services are shaping the market. Connect with Godfrey Group on 02 8004 9350 today or get in touch online to start the conversation.
