Modern Issuing Platforms Will Decide Banks’ AI Success

Card issuers are moving artificial intelligence beyond customer service and analytics into agentic systems that can execute card replacement, risk controls and dispute workflows. A September 2026 report from PYMNTS Intelligence and Thales argues that model capability is no longer the main constraint. Cloud-native issuing platforms, connected through APIs, real-time data and governed orchestration, will determine whether banks can safely scale AI across authorization, tokenization, servicing and other core operations.

Visa research cited in the report found 60% of neobanks and FinTechs reported high or transformational gains from AI in transaction risk management, versus 44% of incumbent banks and 42% of local and savings banks. EY said 52% of banks had piloted agentic AI but only 16% had fully deployed production use cases. McKinsey estimates an agent-based operating model could cut bank costs by about 25%, generating $250 million to $500 million in bottom-line impact for every $100 billion of assets.