Only 10% of APAC banks are AI-ready, finds Accenture report

Even though adoption of AI in the banking sector is the current hype cycle, only 10% of banks in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) are genuinely ready to scale artificial intelligence (AI) to derive measurable value, according to a recent research report by Accenture called The Front Runner’s Guide to Scaling AI.

The report, which surveyed 93 major APAC banks as part of a larger global study of 2,000 C-suite and data science functions, found that there is a chasm between AI ambition and AI outcomes across the APAC region.

"AI is already providing banks with opportunities to unlock pockets of value but there is a world of effort that the banks can do," said Nicole Bodack, Managing Director and Lead, Banking & Capital Markets, APAC, Accenture.

The AI Leaders: Who’s Ahead and Why

Accenture classifies AI maturity into four categories—Experimenters, Progressors, Fast Followers, and Front Runners. Only banks in the Fast Follower and Front Runner categories were found to be genuinely “AI Reinvention Ready.”

These leading 10% of banks:

• Have validated and scaled multiple AI use cases aligned with strategic business outcomes.

• Operate on more mature data infrastructures and are further ahead on the foundation model curve.

• Are piloting or deploying AI Agents in core banking processes.

• Invest deeply in talent transformation and responsible AI practices at scale.

Why Scaling Matters: The Business Case for AI in Banking

Accenture estimates that banks effectively scaling generative AI could see:

• Up to 30% improvement in productivity

• 600 basis points (bps) growth in revenue

• 300 bps increase in return on equity (ROE) over a three-year horizon

“When it comes to AI, it isn’t about whether and when to invest anymore—banks must focus on how and where to invest,” noted Vivek Luthra, Senior Managing Director and APAC Lead for Data & AI at Accenture.

Strategic Bets: Where APAC Banks Are Investing

The report identifies ten strategic “AI bets” across the banking value chain. Among APAC banks, the top five focus areas include:

1. Fraud Management

2. Cards and Payments

3. Investment Management & Advisory

4. Know Your Customer (KYC)

5. Application Processing and Fulfillment

Other priority areas gaining AI attention are Credit Assessment, IT Engineering, Lead Origination, Document Management, and Digital Content Management.

The Role of Data, Tech, and Digital Twins

While interest in AI is rising, many banks remain bogged down by legacy systems and siloed data. According to Navin Suri, Managing Director, Banking, APAC at Accenture, Digital Twin technologies are helping banks innovate faster without waiting for full-scale core modernization.

“It operates alongside the legacy core, enabling immediate delivery of new AI-powered services,” he said.

Beyond Tools: Building a Culture of AI Trust

The report emphasizes that AI readiness is as much about culture and talent as it is tools and technology. The most sophisticated banks are equipped robust change management programs, have upskilled employees at all levels, and have operationalized responsible AI principles rather than just stating the intent.

“When technology, talent, and trust come together at the right time, they create competitive advantage,” emphasized Masashi Nakano, Senior Managing Director and APAC Lead for Financial Services at Accenture.