2026 FinTech Predictions: Insights from Chris Wilmot of Medius

I spoke with Chris Wilmot, Chief Financial Officer at Medius, a leading provider of cloud-based spend management solutions.

With deep expertise in finance operations and technology transformation, Chris shares his perspective on how AI will fundamentally reshape the role of finance teams and the challenges organisations face in distinguishing credible data from synthetic content.

Over to you Chris - my questions are in bold:

What's the biggest shift you expect across financial services in 2026?

The biggest shift in across financial services in 2026 will be how finance teams see their role, moving from simply verifying data to actively interpreting it and using it to guide business decisions. As AI-generated data becomes more convincing, the industry will need to move beyond asking whether something is compliant or approved and focus on whether it is credible.

In 2026, the most effective teams will spend less time reconciling past transactions and more time helping the business understand what the numbers mean and what actions to take. That shift comes from finance moving beyond reporting and taking a more strategic, decision-shaping role.

Which emerging technology will have the most practical impact on financial services and the FinTechs that support them?

AI-driven automation will have the most practical impact because it directly removes friction from finance operations by eliminating routine, low-impact tasks that drain attention and introduce risk.

The Fintechs that succeed will be those using AI to improve accuracy, speed, and insight behind the scenes, with capabilities such as anomaly detection, real-time validation, and process optimisation. This allows finance teams to work smarter and focus on higher-value analysis, rather than simply keeping up with volume.

What customer behaviours or expectations will most challenge financial services and financial service providers?

Customers increasingly expect speed and confidence. They want decisions made quickly, and they expect financial data to be trustworthy and transparent, which is a difficult balance when volumes are rising and data is more complex than ever.

Behind the scenes, that pressure lands on finance teams. If internal processes are still manual or fragmented, it becomes harder to meet expectations without overloading staff. The challenge for providers will be modernising operations fast enough to support these demands while protecting teams' focus and avoiding burnout.

What risks or blind spots do you think the industry is underestimating as we move into 2026?

A major blind spot that the industry is underestimating is how easily synthetic data can pass through traditional controls. Many organisations still rely on manual review and legacy checks that were not designed for AI-generated content, creating a false sense of security and increasing the risk of fraud.

Another overlooked risk comes from repetitive, low-value work. When finance teams are overloaded, their focus suffers and their ability to spot anomalies drops. Organisations that fail to protect attention and simplify workflows will struggle, whereas those that do can reduce both operational mistakes and fraud.

If you were advising a financial services' leadership team today, what strategic priority should they focus on to stay competitive in 2026 and beyond?

I would advise them to closely examine how their finance teams spend their time. Any process that is manual, repetitive, or done out of habit should be questioned.

Freeing finance professionals from low-value work creates a double advantage by improving both controls and creating more engaged teams. When finance has the space to analyse, challenge, and partner with the business early, it moves beyond reporting and adds strategic value. That is where long-term competitiveness comes from.

Thank you Chris! You can connect with Chris on his LinkedIn Profile and find out more about the company at www.medius.com.