2026 Banking Trust & Technology Outlook: What Community Bank Leaders Need to Know

As community banks navigate 2026, one theme stands out clearly across the industry: technology is advancing faster than institutions can govern it, communicate it, or fully understand its true cost. The new Integris 2026 Banking Trust and Technology Report opens in a new tab—built from dual surveys of U.S. banking executives and 1,000 bank customers—reveals a widening gap between what customers expect and what many banks can operationally deliver. 

For community banks, this gap is particularly important. While customers continue to place high trust in local institutions, that trust is increasingly fragile, influenced by cybersecurity visibility, AI decision making, and the perceived maturity of a bank’s technology infrastructure. 

Cybersecurity and AI: The New Foundations of Bank Trust 

Nearly 9 in 10 customers say they trust their bank to keep their data safe, yet that confidence is built more on routine familiarity than on transparency. Customers assume banks are secure because they rarely hear otherwise—even though 51% of banks experienced an email-related breach and 50% a mobile breach in the past year. 

At the same time, customer anxiety about AI is rising sharply: 

• 52% fear AI could mistakenly freeze their account. 

• 40% worry AI could expose their personal data. 

If AI-driven decisions seem opaque or unregulated, customers equate that uncertainty with risk. For community banks that differentiate based on personal service and relationship-based trust, the stakes are especially high. 

Technology Spend Is Up but Visibility Isn’t 

Executives overwhelmingly agree that modernization is overdue. 

• 45% expect tech budgets to rise at least 40% in 2026. 

• Yet 64% say they lack full visibility into total IT spending. 

Key Takeaways for Community Bank Leaders 

• Customer trust is high—but not guaranteed. A single breach or AI misstep can undo decades of goodwill. 

• Cyber incidents are more common than customers realize. Improved communication strengthens confidence. 

• AI governance is no longer optional. Customers need clarity on how automated decisions affect them. 

• IT visibility is critical. Without clear budgeting and oversight, modernization becomes harder and riskier. 

• MSP partnerships must evolve. Community banks need both support and transparent control. 

Stay Ahead of 2026’s Shifting Landscape 

If you want to understand the risks, expectations, and modernization pressures shaping community banking in the year ahead, the full Integris 2026 Banking Trust and Technology Report opens in a new tab offers the data and insights you need to plan effectively.