REVEALED: 80% of FCC leaders planning AI innovations, cost remains barrier, low confidence in data – ‘FinCrime Frontier 2025-26’ global pulse is published

By PAUL O’DONOGHUE, Senior Correspondent

SOME 80% of compliance leaders are planning to overhaul their operations with AI innovations within the next 18 months.

However, cost remains a barrier. As does low confidence in data quality.

That’s according to the landmark FinCrime Frontier 2025–26 Report. Produced by SymphonyAI and AML Intelligence, the report provides a comprehensive overview of the latest compliance trends.

The study surveyed over 250 senior financial crime and compliance professionals across banking, insurance, and fintech sectors worldwide.

Fincrime Frontier key findings

The main takeaways from ‘FinCrime Frontier 2025–26’ include:

• 46% of compliance leaders cite ‘cost’ and ‘data quality’ as the top barriers to scaling automation and AI
• Only 11% of respondents are “very confident” in their data quality. Over half admitted to significant fragmentation or gaps
• 80% of respondents plan to innovate with AI in the coming 12 – 18 months. 10% have not started planning yet, but recognize the need to innovate in the near future. The remaining 10% have no defined plans
• Many companies still have not automated their compliance operations. Over 70% of organizations said less than half of their AML activities are automated
• Some 72% of respondents have never calculated ROI on their technology investments

Automating compliance

Jason Shane, Head of Product Strategy and Innovation at SymphonyAI, said financial institutions “are no longer waiting for the next shoe to drop”. 

“They’re seeing changing compliance expectations as their opening – to build intelligence and resilience into the heart of their operations,” he said. 

“Our research shows that success now depends on unifying data.” He also said it is crucial for companies to automate “the entire compliance lifecycle”, and embed “explainable AI” into day-to-day decision-making. 

“The front-runners will be those that make proactive intelligence real,” he said. “Compliance systems that connect data, automation, and human expertise in one continuous flow.”

Stephen Rae, Co-Founder and Chair of AML Intelligence, said the study findings “can support regulators, financial institutions, and compliance leaders across the globe”. 

“This report not only surfaces the challenges facing our industry,” he said. “It highlights where real progress is being made. It is clear that intelligent technologies, used responsibly, will define the next era of financial crime prevention.”

The full report is available to read [HERE]