John Maudlin

The narrative that fintechs would dominate the next wave of financial innovation—particularly in artificial intelligence—may be overstated. Instead, traditional banks and credit unions, armed with regulatory approvals, customer bases, and deep reservoirs of trust, could emerge as the unexpected victors in the coming era of agentic finance.

PayNearMe's new AI Servicing and Collections Agent isn't just another chatbot—it's a live operating system for financial interactions. Embedded directly in the company's PayXM platform, the agent doesn't just answer questions; it calls customers, sends payment reminders, schedules transactions, resolves disputes, and escalates only when human judgment is required. Built on payment data, business rules, and workflows, it moves from passive assistance to active execution, marking a practical leap for agentic AI in financial services.

Experian has taken a decisive step into the future of lending with the launch of its Cashflow Data Bureau, a new Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)-regulated consumer reporting agency designed to integrate bank account data with traditional credit information. This move positions the credit reporting giant directly against rivals like Plaid and Finicity, as lenders increasingly prioritize real-time financial behavior over static credit scores.

Gusto's latest tools for its 23,000 accounting firm clients mark a quiet revolution in how financial software adapts to the AI era—one where automation handles the repetitive work, leaving accountants to focus on strategy rather than spreadsheets.

Banks may have spent years chasing efficiency gains through AI, but the technology's most lucrative potential lies elsewhere. The industry has fixated on automation and cost-cutting, yet the real value of AI for financial institutions may be in rebuilding the personalised relationships that once defined banking before algorithms took over.

Backbase's new Conversational Banking platform marks a quiet revolution in retail banking, one where AI stops answering questions and starts doing the work. The launch this week introduces agentic AI that can execute permitted banking tasks—blocking cards, verifying payments, or advancing service requests—using natural language commands and pre-set controls. Built on Backbase's AI-native Banking OS, the system integrates with existing digital stacks, allowing customers to bypass friction while banks retain governance.

CRB Group, the New Jersey-based parent of Cross River Bank, has acquired Accrue, a New York-based customer loyalty platform, to deepen its push into embedded finance. The deal, which remains financially undisclosed, will integrate Accrue's branded wallet technology into Cross River's banking infrastructure, allowing merchants to consolidate payments, rewards, stored value, and customer engagement into a single experience.

Financial institutions are discovering that the real challenge of artificial intelligence isn't just implementation—it's proving value. As the hype fades, firms are under growing pressure to show measurable returns, comply with evolving regulations, and justify spiralling technology costs. The era of experimental AI is ending; in 2026, results matter.

Coast's $35 million funding round underscores how vertical-specific fintechs are carving out dominant positions in the financial stack for tradespeople and service businesses.

Banks increasingly recognise that customer acquisition is only the beginning; the real challenge lies in fostering lasting engagement and helping customers progress toward their financial goals. Happen Bank, formerly LendingClub Bank, has positioned itself at the forefront of this shift by integrating lending, checking, savings, and financial wellness tools into a unified experience designed to reward positive financial behaviours. The approach has earned the company the Best Customer Experience Solution award at the 2026 Finovate Awards, underscoring its success in redefining how banks can deepen customer relationships.