At FTT Lending 2026, we asked the attendees of the event common question the question: “What is the biggest buzzword of the event?”
While the fintech ecosystem is always full of trending topics, the responses from attendees provided a fascinating snapshot of where the industry is heading.
It will come as no surprise that AI was the clear and dominant answer and was mentioned repeatedly by almost every respondent, AI continues to be the primary focus for strategic thinking in lending. From simple automation to more advanced AI, the technology is viewed as “everywhere,” driving the next generation of financial services.
Beyond the AI hype, several technical and structural themes emerged as the attendees of FTT Lending pointed toward the importance of data sharing and the pursuit of a seamless, frictionless infrastructure. These elements are seen as the backbone required to support the digital transformation currently sweeping the sector.
As lending becomes more digital, the “human” side of fintech remains a priority as concepts like collaboration and trust were highlighted, particularly in how customers feel about using digital wallets. Furthermore, the industry is keeping a close eye on regulation and how organizations work with consumer duties, alongside the evergreen concern of tackling fraud.
While the “digital wallet” may be the term on everyone’s lips, FTT Lending 2026 proved that AI is the engine powering the conversation.