Visa study reveals European banks view artificial intelligence as the driver of future growth

A recent study conducted by Visa Consulting & Analytics has highlighted a significant shift in the European banking sector regarding the integration of artificial intelligence. Based on responses from 325 senior executives across 17 European markets, the findings indicate that banks are transitioning from experimental phases to practical implementation, with a clear focus on long-term strategy.

Key data reveals that 86% of surveyed bank executives believe artificial intelligence will radically transform retail banking by 2030. Furthermore, 61% of these leaders anticipate that early adopters of the technology will secure a dominant competitive advantage within the next decade. The report identifies a widening gap between institutions that use AI solely to optimize existing operations and those that integrate it into foundational decision-making processes for customer experience, fraud detection, and the development of AI agents.

Banks are categorized into different strategic approaches to adoption, including Efficiency Seekers, Trust Builders, Competitor Chasers, and Compliance Keepers. This study underscores that the technology is no longer viewed merely as an operational tool, but as a critical element for redefining the future banking model. As these institutions progress, their current strategic choices are expected to define their value creation capabilities through the end of the decade.