Risk Reset: Why FS&I Leaders Must Rethink Resilience

How financial institutions are mitigating risk, approaching technology and AI, and preparing for the future.

According to Dun & Bradstreet’s new FS&I Survey 2025, based on responses from over 2,000 senior professionals across five major markets, the industry is grappling with intensifying threats. 

Our research reveals a sector eager to innovate through AI and digital transformation, and one investing to address cyber risk, fraud, data challenges and regulatory pressure. However, many still feeling unprepared for key threats and lagging in their use of automation.

In this article you will find some of the key statistics, but the full report including our recommendations for financial services and insurance firms going into 2026 can be downloaded here:

Cybersecurity and Fraud: The Top Threats

A staggering 79% of FS&I leaders are concerned about cybersecurity, while 78% cite fraud as a major risk. These figures reflect worries of high-profile breaches and financial crime.

Yet despite increased investment, many firms feel exposed. Nearly 38% admit they’re not fully prepared for the risks they face, especially in cybersecurity, financial volatility, and geopolitical instability. 

Third-Party Risk: A Costly Blind Spot

The report reveals that 91% of firms have suffered negative impacts due to poor third-party risk management. These include financial losses (41%), security breaches (35%), and reputational damage (33%). The average cost? $706,000 per business, rising to nearly $1.5 million in Germany.
 

Data Quality: A Barrier to AI and Decision-Making

While firms noted AI and digital transformation as top priorities for 2026, poor data quality is currently undermining progress. 64% of firms lack confidence in their data, and 73% say they can’t assess non-financial risk effectively. Over half have experienced failed AI projects due to bad data.

Key challenges include:

• Duplicate records (59%)

• Siloed datasets (52%)

• Distrust in internal data (55%)

This data dysfunction is stalling innovation and increasing exposure. Without trusted data, AI and the introduction of new technologies can become a liability.
 

Manual Processes and Limited Automation

Despite the push for transformation, many firms are still stuck in manual workflows. Around 50% of customer retention and onboarding processes are not automated. Only 26% use unified cloud platforms, and just 44% invest in third-party data providers.

Alarmingly, 47% of firms frequently use tools like Google or ChatGPT to assess third-party risk, highlighting a reliance on unverified sources.
 

2026 Priorities: AI, Growth, and Risk Reduction

Looking ahead, FS&I leaders have multiple priorities, focused on technology implementation, updating systems and processes, growth and reducing risk.

• Internal AI adoption (39%)

• Digital transformation (36%)

• Growth in new markets (34%)

• Reducing third-party risk (31%)

However, foundational concerns remain. Cyber risk (53%) and data quality (44%) are the biggest worries for 2026, threatening to derail strategic ambitions.
 

What FS&I Leaders Need Now

To bridge the gap between ambition and execution and meet their 2026 goals, firms say they need the following support:

• New technologies (61%)

• More accurate data (57%)

• External consultancy (50%)

The message is clear: resilience must be built into strategy—not bolted on after the fact.