Power of Partnerships in Banking: AI Transformation

Why does having the right ecosystem matter for front-office AI implementation?

As banks strive to unlock the full potential of artificial intelligence, teaming up with the right partners is essential for success. According to KPMG’s 2025 Banking Technology Survey, 70% of U.S. banking leaders have already achieved meaningful cost savings by automating routine tasks – like fraud detection, compliance, and financial forecasting. But the biggest opportunity is ahead: bringing AI into customer-facing areas such as payments, Know Your Customer (KYC), mortgage applications, and tailored product offerings.

A thriving front-office partner ecosystem includes technology and cloud providers, consulting firms, data experts, regulatory specialists, integration consultants, and cybersecurity teams. Working together, this ecosystem can:

Accelerate AI-driven customer experience in banking;
Unlock mutual growth by collaborating with complementary partners;
Scale banking operations with AI and other emerging technology partners;
Modernize legacy banking platforms with AI;
Fortify your infrastructure for secure, scalable customer-facing applications;
Embed governance and risk management from the start of your AI journey.

Artificial Intelligence is no longer an experimental topic, but has become a decisive factor that will dictate the future of competitiveness in the banking sector. Banks that fail to build partnership ecosystems around this technology risk losing their relevance, both with customers and in the market itself.

Rui Gonçalves

Head of Technology Consulting

KPMG in Portugal

How can you scale fast with AI as an enabler?

AI is redefining banking operations across the board, ranging from back-office fraud detection to front-office personalization that rivals leading FinTech apps. But adopting AI at scale often comes with complexities such as integration with legacy systems and regulatory hurdles. That’s where a robust ecosystem of partners can help.

By tapping into niche providers, integration specialists, and innovation hubs, banks can modernize legacy code, reduce developer hours, and accelerate AI-based insights. The right talent and solutions can mean substantial cost savings and a dramatic increase in speed to market.

What are the benefits of having risk management front and center?

Effective AI integration needs to be supplemented with robust controls. Heightened third-party risk management, secure data protocols, and reliable regulatory compliance frameworks are all key aspects. By setting proactive guidelines for AI governance, cybersecurity, and data privacy, as well as continuous collaboration with specialized partners, banks can monitor risks while reaping the full dividends of an AI-enabled future.

How KPMG can help

KPMG can be your strategic ally in orchestrating an AI-centric partner ecosystem. We can help plan and manage partner ecosystems to accelerate and sustain your transformation journey. Our accelerators and frameworks bring clarity and structure to complex transformation journeys. Whether you’re updating mission-critical legacy systems or building new digital banking services, we offer a comprehensive approach to help you seize innovation opportunities and realize tangible value.