Fico survey results show Asia Pacific banks want purpose-built AI for financial services, not consumer tools. The poll was conducted in August 2026 during Fico’s Banking Leaders Forum in Bali. It captured responses from 51 senior executives and C-suite leaders from leading banks across the region.
What Did the Fico Survey Find on Purpose-Built AI?
77% of banking leaders said it is ‘extremely important’ that AI tools be built specifically for financial services. Just 23% viewed such specialisation as merely ‘somewhat important’.
Fico managing director Asia Pacific Dattu Kompella said financial institutions face regulatory scrutiny that most consumer technology companies do not. Banks need AI models that are explainable, auditable and designed for compliance from the ground up.
‘Off-the-shelf consumer AI doesn’t meet that bar,’ he added.
Why Are Regulation and Trust Holding Back Bank AI Adoption?
Banking leaders named regulatory and governance concerns as the primary obstacles, not technology or cost. Data privacy and security topped the list at 42%.
A further 21% cited regulatory and compliance risk, and another 21% flagged model transparency and explainability. Only 16% cited computing cost or infrastructure as a barrier.
‘The barriers aren’t about capability or price,’ said Kompella. ‘Banks are concerned about trust, auditability and the ability to explain decisions to regulators.’
Which Bank Processes Will Generative AI Improve First?
More than 60% identified fraud and scam detection as the area where generative AI could most improve operations in the next 12 months. Underwriting decisions followed at 21%, customer-facing digital banking at 15%, and regulatory compliance monitoring at just 3%.
The focus reflects the urgency of the scam epidemic across the region. It also reflects the potential for AI-powered behavioural analytics to detect patterns human analysts might miss.
On back-office processes, 64% named credit underwriting and lending decisions as the process that would benefit most. A further 18% cited regulatory compliance monitoring, 10% customer due diligence, and 8% internal policy and business operations review.
How Fast Will Banks Deploy Task-Specific AI Models?
Nearly half (46%) expect task-specific AI models in fraud, compliance and underwriting within the next one to two years. A further 26% expect adoption within three to five years.
Just 26% report having already deployed such models today. The survey shows the question has shifted from whether banks will adopt AI to how they will do it.
What Does the Fico Survey Mean for Bursa Bank Stocks?
The article does not name any Bursa-listed bank, and it gives no earnings, dividend or valuation figures. Shareholders cannot tell from this poll which lender stands to gain.
The survey does outline the build-out path. Banks will need domain-specific models, cleaner data infrastructure, faster integration with legacy systems and clearer governance frameworks. Investors may want to watch annual reports for disclosure on fraud detection, underwriting and compliance tools, the three areas the poll ranks highest. Readers who want a structured approach can start with AI Stock Analysis for Malaysians.
Key Takeaways
- 77% of banking leaders call purpose-built AI ‘extremely important’.
- Data privacy and security is the top adoption barrier at 42%.
- Fraud and scam detection leads generative AI priorities at more than 60%.
- 46% expect task-specific models within one to two years, but only 26% have deployed them.
- The survey names no Bursa-listed bank, so company-level impact must come from each bank’s own disclosures.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not financial advice. Do your own research before making any investment decision, and consult a licensed adviser where needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Fico survey find about purpose-built AI in banking?
77% of banking leaders said it is ‘extremely important’ that AI tools used in banking be built specifically for financial services, while 23% said ‘somewhat important’. The poll was conducted in August 2026 and captured responses from 51 senior executives across Asia Pacific.
What is the biggest barrier to AI adoption for banks in Asia Pacific?
Data privacy and security is the top barrier, cited by 42% of respondents in the Fico survey. Regulatory and compliance risk (21%) and model transparency and explainability (21%) came next, while only 16% cited computing cost or infrastructure.
Which banking process will benefit most from purpose-built AI?
64% of banking leaders named credit underwriting and lending decisions as the back-office process that would benefit most. For generative AI, more than 60% chose fraud and scam detection as the area with the biggest near-term impact.
Is Fico listed on Bursa Malaysia?
The source article does not describe Fico as a Bursa-listed company, and it names no Bursa-listed bank. Fico is cited as the sponsor of the Banking Leaders Forum survey, with Dattu Kompella as its managing director for Asia Pacific.
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always do your own research before making investment decisions.
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