As community banks navigate 2026, one theme stands out clearly across the industry: technology is advancing faster than institutions can govern it, communicate it, or fully understand its true cost. The new Integris 2026 Banking Trust and Technology Report—built from dual surveys of U.S. banking executives and 1,000 bank customers—reveals a widening gap between what customers expect and what many banks can operationally deliver.
For community banks, this gap is particularly important. While customers continue to place high trust in local institutions, that trust is increasingly fragile, influenced by cybersecurity visibility, AI decision making, and the perceived maturity of a bank’s technology infrastructure.
Cybersecurity and AI: The New Foundations of Bank Trust
Nearly 9 in 10 customers say they trust their bank to keep their data safe, yet that confidence is built more on routine familiarity than on transparency. Customers assume banks are secure because they rarely hear otherwise—even though 51% of banks experienced an email-related breach and 50% a mobile breach in the past year.
At the same time, customer anxiety about AI is rising sharply:
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52% fear AI could mistakenly freeze their account.
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40% worry AI could expose their personal data.
If AI-driven decisions seem opaque or unregulated, customers equate that uncertainty with risk. For community banks that differentiate based on personal service and relationship-based trust, the stakes are especially high.
Technology Spend Is Up But Visibility Isn’t
Executives overwhelmingly agree that modernization is overdue.
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45% expect tech budgets to rise at least 40% in 2026.
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Yet 64% say they lack full visibility into total IT spending.
This creates a modernization paradox: Banks are pouring money into technology while struggling to understand where those dollars go, which systems deliver the most value, and where vulnerabilities still exist. For community banks operating on smaller budgets, this lack of visibility can slow progress and introduce unnecessary risk.
MSPs Are More Critical Than Ever
Banks now rely on managed service providers (MSPs) to run much of their IT backbone—cybersecurity, cloud operations, backups, and help desk support. But even with MSP partnerships, leaders still cite challenges in areas such as these:
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Data integration
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Compliance
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AI implementation
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Long-term IT planning
As expectations on MSPs grow, visibility, governance, and communication must improve in step.
Key Takeaways for Community Bank Leaders
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Customer trust is high—but not guaranteed. A single breach or AI misstep can undo decades of goodwill.
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Cyber incidents are more common than customers realize. Improved communication strengthens confidence.
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AI governance is no longer optional. Customers need clarity on how automated decisions affect them.
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IT visibility is critical. Without clear budgeting and oversight, modernization becomes harder and riskier.
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MSP partnerships must evolve. Community banks need both support and transparent control.
Stay Ahead of 2026’s Shifting Landscape
If you want to understand the risks, expectations, and modernization pressures shaping community banking in the year ahead, the full Integris 2026 Banking Trust and Technology Report offers the data and insights you need to plan effectively.
Case Study Highlight: Texas Security Bank
The modernization journey of Texas Security Bank shows what’s possible with the right partner. Prior to working with Integris, the bank dealt with unused software, legacy hardware, and inconsistent networking. After partnering with Integris:
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The bank eliminated costly unused software
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Legacy systems were fully mapped and properly networked
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An SD-WAN implementation dramatically improved uptime WAN implementation
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Employee trust in IT operations grew significantly
It’s a real-world example of how visibility and modernization—developed by working with a trusted partner—can directly boost performance, reliability, and confidence.