The banking industry is navigating a period of significant transformation, driven by changes in macroeconomic conditions, technological advancements, and regulatory shifts. Financial institutions are re-evaluating their operations and value creation strategies. At a recent meeting of Moody’s Executive Banking Advisory Group, leaders discussed the future of banking in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, highlighting key areas such as digital transformation, automation, risk management, and the use of generative AI (GenAI).

The global economic outlook for 2025-2026 suggests a modest slowdown with G20 GDP projected at 2.5%. Advanced economies are expected to grow at around 1.5-1.6%, while emerging markets may see growth rates of approximately 4%. Within APAC, India and Vietnam are anticipated to lead with growth forecasts of 6.6% and between 6-6.5%, respectively. Despite risks like US-China trade tensions and real estate challenges in China and Korea, APAC banks remain resilient due to strong capitalization and liquidity.

Digital transformation has become essential for banks beyond basic automation efforts. GenAI is seen as transformative in automating tasks such as credit memo generation and fraud monitoring. Early adopters have begun experiencing benefits, but success requires careful attention to regulatory compliance, governance, and talent acquisition.

GenAI's role extends beyond speed; it aids smarter decision-making with improved asset quality and customer experiences while reducing costs. However, thoughtful implementation is necessary to avoid biases and align AI outputs with strategic goals.

Automation in lending processes is gaining traction across the APAC region's small-to-medium enterprise portfolios. Banks are optimizing lending journeys from engagement to post-origination monitoring using targeted automation strategies.

Physical and transition risks have moved into central focus within banking strategies. Tools like scorecards and stress testing help enhance risk assessments alongside AI applications that aid exposure evaluation.

Data strategy remains a challenge for many banks despite its potential benefits. Effective data governance demands collaboration among risk officers, finance departments, tech teams, and business units to ensure alignment with enterprise objectives.

Overall insights from Moody’s meeting underscore the importance of strategic investment in technology along with robust governance frameworks as banks navigate an evolving landscape characterized by both opportunities arising from innovation-driven efficiencies alongside persistent external uncertainties affecting global markets' stability over time.