The Intelligent Renaissance of Banking and Financial Services: Modernization, Ecosystems, and Human Expertise at the Core

Accelerated digitalization, evolving regulations, and shifting customer expectations are challenging legacy Banking and Financial Services (BFS) systems and reshaping how institutions operate and deliver value. This Viewpoint, drawing on insights from Everest Group’s participation at Sibos 2025, outlines a future shaped by modernization, applied intelligence, and human-led transformation.

The report highlights that three interconnected priorities will shape the next banking transformation chapter. Institutions must modernize foundational elements across processes, data, technology, and organizational structures. They must build ecosystems that enable interoperability, shared intelligence, and seamless connections across the value chain. They must empower people through new skills, continuous learning, and responsible leadership that can guide AI-enabled decision-making. Within this context, the Viewpoint introduces the concept of the agentic banker, a professional empowered by AI tools to augment judgment and decision quality. It also underscores the importance of ethical, outcome-linked AI adoption. The path forward will require cross-functional collaboration, adaptability, and purpose-driven leadership. Financial institutions that embrace this multidimensional shift will be better positioned to lead with confidence and create sustainable value in a dynamic global market.