Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
A bank customer checks their balance before having coffee. The screen loads quickly, and trust in the bank is just as fast. According to Integris, this trust is fragile. A single breach can make it disappear just as quickly. Security now shapes where people park their paychecks. Integris found that 51% chose their bank because they trusted its security. Another 88% say they feel confident in their bank’s security today. That confidence sits beside sharper fears. Forty percent rank “hackers stealing bank data” as their top banking worry. Two-thirds say they would consider switching institutions following a breach. Banking cyber resilience is perishable. Customers want protection that feels steady, visible, and immediate.
The Integris 2026 Banking Trust and Technology Report surveyed 1,000 U.S. banking customers and 673 banking executives from banks with assets of $20 billion or less. Many of these banks rely on managed service providers for core technology tasks.
Breach Rates Outpace Customer Awareness
Bank executives say threats are increasing. In the past year, 51% reported a major email-based breach, and 50% reported a mobile-related breach. Most customers are unaware of these incidents. Only 14% say they have ever received a breach notice, and about 57% believe their bank has never been breached. Integris calls this difference a “breach-perception gap.”
A major breach can quickly change customer attitudes. Integris shared clear numbers: “Yet customer confidence is conditional: two-thirds of Americans say they would consider switching institutions following a major breach,” said Cal Roberson, Vice President, Financial Institution Division at Integris. This shows how incidents can have lasting effects and test a bank’s resilience after the news fades.
Budgets Rise While Visibility Falls
Banks are planning technology investments for 2026. Forty-five percent of executives expect their budgets to increase by 40% or more, and 18% expect increases of over 60%. However, many leaders have trouble tracking total spending. Sixty-four percent do not have a clear view of all IT costs, which are spread across departments, vendors, and old systems. Executives say their top priorities are cybersecurity, compliance automation, AI governance, and data integration.
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Modernizing technology brings new risks. The report compares it to “banks are trying to refurbish the airplane while still flying it.” Banks need to upgrade core systems without causing outages. Customers expect their accounts to be available at all times, receive quick alerts, and have easy mobile access. They also expect “zero errors” that could block access to their accounts.
Trust Rests On Familiarity, Not Proof
The report notes that many customers assume their bank is secure because they have never seen evidence otherwise. However, a single visible breach can quickly destroy that trust. The report warns that these assumptions can “collapse quickly in a crisis.”
AI Decisions Trigger A New Fear
Banks are now using AI for fraud detection and monitoring transactions. Fifty-two percent of customers worry that AI could freeze accounts by mistake, and about 40% are concerned that AI could expose personal data. Twenty-three percent say they do not understand how their bank uses AI. More than 36% of executives also have trouble understanding AI results. The report recommends regular testing, clear documentation, and human review. It also suggests having clear steps for handling AI-related problems.
Communication Gaps Erode Confidence
Customers want regular security updates from their banks. The report says 15% rarely or never receive these updates, and nearly half say updates are infrequent. It warns that “bank silence becomes a signal of vulnerability.” Customers expect clear explanations of new features and threats, as well as transparency about how their accounts are protected.
These trends are important for managing cyber risk and insurance. A breach can cause customers to leave and lead to long-term costs. Response plans should include quick communication and clear steps to fix problems. Teams also need enough resources to “make it right.”
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Community Banks Face A Distinct Squeeze
Community banks are trusted for their relationships and local knowledge. Sixty-six percent of their customers believe their bank has never been breached, compared to 53% at large banks. The report says 57% of community-bank customers would consider leaving after a serious breach. Community banks also have a gap in explaining AI use, with 41% of customers feeling unsure about how AI is used.
MSPs Run The Backbone, Yet Gaps Persist
The report shows that banks rely heavily on managed service providers (MSPs). Seventy percent depend on MSPs for important IT functions, and 87% use them for both basic and advanced cybersecurity. However, outsourcing does not solve every problem. Executives reported data integration challenges at 49%, IT planning gaps at 42%, and ongoing security concerns at 37%. Banks plan to use MSPs even more for advanced cybersecurity and cloud services. The report recommends stronger oversight of MSP-managed environments.
Security And Transparency Become One Story
Roberson put it simply: “Security and transparency are no longer separate conversations for banks.” He added that customers now expect clear information about cybersecurity and how AI is used.
For bank leaders, the message is clear. They should track technology spending across all departments and vendors, reduce risks from email and mobile channels with stronger controls, manage AI with regular testing and review, and communicate security efforts on a regular schedule.
Banking Cybersecurity FAQ
It measures customer trust and executive readiness. It also tracks cybersecurity fears, AI concerns, and tech spending plans.
Integris surveyed 1,000 U.S. banking customers. It also surveyed 673 banking executives at smaller institutions.
Security leads bank selection for many customers. The report says 51% chose a bank for security trust.
Hackers rank first for many customers. Forty percent list “hackers stealing bank data” as their top concern.
Executives reported frequent incidents. Fifty-one percent reported an email-based breach, and 50% reported a mobile-related breach.
Most customers do not see breach notices. The report says 57% believe their bank has never been breached.
It describes the mismatch between bank incidents and customer awareness. That gap can magnify shock after public disclosure.
The risk looks immediate and severe. The report cite 67% who would consider switching.
Customers fear mistaken AI actions. The report says 52% worry AI could wrongly freeze an account.
They need fast response, clear updates, and direct remediation. They also need the funds to make customers whole.
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