Conclusion

AI is a game-changing opportunity for corporate, commercial and small business banking not just to optimize existing processes, but to fundamentally rethink how services are delivered. The sector’s complexity, regulatory intensity and reliance on data-rich, document-heavy services make it especially well-suited for AI innovation. Yet despite considerable interest and experimentation, our research reveals that only a minority of banks have scaled AI meaningfully. Even fewer use it to reshape their operating models or client propositions.

This must change. Banks that move fastest and most strategically stand to secure first-mover advantage. They won’t just unlock cost savings, but new client experiences, new services and ultimately greater revenue.

However, seizing this opportunity requires more than technology investment. It demands leadership, business ownership of the AI agenda, and the strengthening of foundational enablers. This includes building AI platforms with reusable capabilities, addressing data

fragmentation through smarter tooling and evolving the skills base to support scale. At the same time, banks must navigate complex decisions around cloud strategy, vendor models and AI risk governance.

As client expectations shift and competitors begin to transform, the window for gaining early advantage will narrow. The race is already underway. The winners will be those who reimagine what corporate, commercial and small business banking can be, with AI at the core.