2026 Digital Lending Trends

The expectation of interest rate cuts in 2026 will trigger a historic game of catch-up for tradition-bound lenders that have failed to keep pace with savvy FIs and fintechs that invested during lean times to build their tech stacks, learn more about borrowers, and establish digital engagement that can position them to win more loans. 

• Narrowly focused AI-powered chatbots will give leading fintechs an edge in engaging and advising consumers, enabling them to win loans from lenders that still use bots primarily to steer shoppers to FAQs and information.
• “Refi-ready” fintechs will win because they have invested aggressively to improve three key elements of data-driven campaigns—technology, personalization, and proactivity—to connect with borrowers on a deeper level than loan rates and terms.
• Savvier lenders will shift their focus from back-office automation to front-end loan management systems because they recognize that the loan lifecycle doesn’t end with origination. That’s where the relationship starts and can lead to winning the next loan, too.