Each year, Finopotamus invites fintech leaders to share their holiday IT wish list for the year ahead. Curated by W.B. King, the series highlights the technology priorities, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of credit unions and community financial institutions.
In 2026 Holiday IT Wish List, Part 4, contributors weigh in on everything from AI and automation to payments and data strategy, offering a candid look at what leaders believe institutions truly need to succeed in the coming year.
The article also features our very own CMO, Matt Phipps, sharing Agent IQ’s perspective on AI in financial services. His contribution focuses on a critical shift institutions are grappling with today: how to adopt AI in a way that strengthens employees, reduces risk, and preserves the human relationships that matter most to members.
Rather than replacing staff, the vision centers on institution-controlled, secure AI assistants that support frontline teams, improve productivity, and help turn AI from a compliance concern into a strategic advantage.
Elsewhere in the list, readers will find insights on:
- Technology investments that reduce fragmentation and support growth
- Moving beyond basic chatbots to more capable AI-driven experiences
- Using automation and analytics to improve lending and engagement
- The expanding role of instant payments and real-time rails
If you are thinking about how AI and digital strategy will impact your institution in 2026 and beyond, this installment offers thoughtful perspectives from across the fintech ecosystem.
