New global Valtech report finds unclear data ownership is holding back AI transformation in financial services

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New global Valtech report finds unclear data ownership is holding back AI transformation in financial services

March 6, 2026

Report shows modernization under cost pressure is a leadership and operating model challenge

Valtech, the experience innovation company, today launched its new global report, Rewiring Financial Services: Intelligence at Scale Breaks the Operating Model. The research shows that while AI initiatives are rapidly moving from pilot to production, nearly half of financial services organizations are held back by fragmented data ownership, centralized decision-making and legacy operating structures.

Based on research with more than 400 senior executives across banking, insurance and wealth management in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and Switzerland, the report examines how institutions are translating AI investment into measurable operational and financial outcomes.

The study finds that 77% of AI initiatives are now scaling from pilot to production, with banking organizations leading the way. US firms report the most consistent rollout, while UK organizations show greater variability. Despite this progress, many institutions face structural friction that limits enterprise-wide impact.

The research identifies three recurring constraints:

• Data fragmentation is the primary barrier: Nearly 48% of leaders cite siloed or unclear data ownership as the biggest obstacle to scaling AI.

• Decision-making is centralized: 56% of major technology investments require C-suite approval, while only 5% are delegated to data or digital leaders.

• Operating models lag AI adoption: Only 7% of organizations are adopting product-led, cross-functional structures designed to convert AI investment into measurable financial outcomes.

"The findings of our report are encouraging: AI is finally moving from experimentation to execution across financial services," says Gary Ellison, VP Head of Data & AI at Valtech. "However, the gap between technology capability and organizational readiness remains a critical barrier. Leaders must focus on clarifying ownership, redesigning operating models and aligning decision rights to ensure modernization translates into real margin impact."

The report also highlights how modernization priorities are evolving:

• Performance over adoption: Financial institutions are prioritizing resilience, speed and growth over efficiency. 44% cite service continuity and operational reliability as their main driver, 17% focus on speed-to-market, and 17% on revenue expansion.

• Margin-focused outcomes: Scaling AI is no longer just a technical achievement - it compounds revenue, protects margin and accelerates time-to-value across fraud detection, claims, payments and hyper-personalized customer journeys.

• Organizational clarity is decisive: Firms with clear data ownership, defined accountability and cross-functional teams are better positioned to convert modernization spend into measurable financial return.

Valtech introduces the concept of the "outcome-led financial services organization," emphasizing alignment of data, governance and operating model as a foundation for AI-driven modernization. Generative AI is increasingly embedded across processes, but without clear ownership and decision flows, the technology can amplify fragmentation rather than drive advantage.

"AI doesn't remove the need for judgment," Ellison adds. "It magnifies the cost of indecision. Organizations that explicitly make operating, data and investment choices are the ones turning modernization spend into real margin impact."

The full report, Rewiring Financial Services: Intelligence at Scale Breaks the Operating Model, including practical recommendations for structuring teams, ownership and decision-making to unlock AI value, is available at valtech.com/whitepapers/rewiring-financial-services/

About the study

The report is based on several months of in-depth qualitative and quantitative research with 400+ senior executives across banking, insurance and wealth management in the US, UK, Germany, and Switzerland. The study combines survey-based benchmarking with interviews exploring lived executive experience. It prioritizes depth over breadth, focusing on how financial leaders translate AI adoption and modernization into measurable performance outcomes.

About Valtech

Valtech, the global leader in experience innovation, exists to unlock a better way to experience the world. By delivering sustainable, human-centric digital solutions that prepare businesses for the future, we empower brands to leapfrog the competition and surpass best practices. Our 6,000-strong team in 24 countries crafts intelligent, personalized experiences that blend crafts, categories and cultures. At the intersection of data, AI, creativity and technology, we touch lives, grow businesses and unlock value in a digitally accelerated world. Our clients include the world's leading brands, such as AXA, Dolby, L'Oréal, LVMH, Mars, Mercedes, P&G, Santander, Toyota and Volkswagen. See our work at Valtech.com.