2026 MDI Bank Leader Priorities: Growth, Technology & Impact in Focus 

Our recently published 2026 MDI Bank Leader Priorities Report reveals a sector that is confident, strategic, and doubling down on sustainable growth — even as technology and talent pressures persist. 

Here are the key takeaways:

Confident — Especially Locally 

Mission-driven bank leaders enter 2026 with cautious optimism: 

• 77% are confident in the national economy 

• Confidence in local economies increased 9% year-over-year 

• 50% are very confident in revenue growth 

While national policy uncertainty has tempered some outlooks, local markets remain strong — supported by steady demand and solid balance sheets. 

Growth Is Still the Priority 

Banks are focused on disciplined expansion: 

• 69% aim to move into the next asset band 

• 54% are actively considering M&A 

• 85% are interested in loan participations 

Growth strategies emphasize low-cost deposit gathering, targeted acquisitions, and marketplace lending activity to strengthen liquidity and expand originations. 

Digitally enabled growth is also accelerating. In 2026, banks plan to expand: 

• Real-time payments (65%) 

• Digital account opening (62%) 

• Small business digital lending (42%) 

Technology: Top Investment and Top Challenge 

Customer-facing technology remains the dominant investment priority: 

• 92% are investing in customer service technologies 

At the same time, technology is the sector’s biggest pain point: 

• High implementation costs (62%) 

• Lack of technical expertise (50%) 

• Integration with legacy systems (46%) 

Banks are increasingly turning to AI to improve efficiency and customer experience, with top planned use cases including marketing, customer service, risk & compliance, and fraud detection. 

What do they need most? Education and readiness support. 

Talent Remains a Critical Constraint 

• 96% say recruiting talent is difficult 

• Entry-level and middle management roles are hardest to fill 

Banks are responding with stronger internship pipelines, partnerships with minority-serving institutions, and expanded training and development programs. 

Impact Is Core to the Business Model 

Mission-driven banks continue to embed impact directly into their operations: 

• 92% partner with local nonprofits 

• 81% offer financial literacy programs 

• 54% provide affordable housing financing 

• 38% offer microloans for small businesses 

From housing and entrepreneurship to workforce development, these institutions remain economic anchors in the communities they serve. 

The Bottom Line 

The 2026 survey highlights a sector that is: 

• Growth-oriented 

• Digitally accelerating 

• Navigating talent and cost pressures 

• Deepening its community impact 

Mission-driven banks are not standing still. They are adapting by leveraging partnerships, technology, and marketplace tools to scale both performance and impact. 

Want to learn more about the National Bankers Association? Read our 2025 Impact Report.