金融科技拐点：从“硬投入”到“软实力”，关注五大关键词

Core Insights - The financial technology industry is expected to undergo significant changes in 2026, coinciding with the update of the "Financial Technology Development Plan" [1] - The digital economy has rapidly developed from 2019 to 2025, transitioning financial technology from foundational support to a more substantial role [1] - Financial institutions are shifting their focus from "hard investment" to "soft power" in technology, emphasizing efficiency over scale [3][4] Financial Technology Development - The previous development plan emphasized principles such as digital-driven, intelligent for the public, green and low-carbon, and equitable finance, with eight key tasks outlined [1] - Financial institutions have established top-level designs for digital transformation, with flexible organizational structures and improved cloud infrastructure [1] - The integration of AI, blockchain, and privacy computing technologies is accelerating, enhancing the accessibility of financial services [1] Investment Trends - There is a noticeable slowdown in the growth rate of technology investments by financial institutions, particularly among major banks [2] - From 2020 to 2024, technology investment by 16 state-owned and joint-stock banks increased from 140.4 billion to 187.4 billion yuan, but the growth rate has significantly decreased [2] - Some banks have begun to reduce their technology investment amounts starting in 2023, with only one bank achieving double-digit growth in 2024 [2] Organizational Changes - Financial institutions are adjusting their organizational structures to optimize technology governance and deepen reform [6] - Initiatives include the establishment of digital financial committees and AI action groups to enhance decision-making and risk management [6][7] - The focus is on breaking down departmental barriers and fostering collaboration across different levels of governance [7] Technology Application - Financial institutions are pursuing both "frontier exploration" and "practical efficiency" in technology applications, with a shift towards using technology as a production factor [4] - AI applications are increasingly penetrating core business areas, with banks implementing AI in various operational scenarios [9] - The integration of internal and external data is enhancing customer profiling, risk management, and marketing strategies [8] Future Outlook - The "14th Five-Year Plan" emphasizes the importance of building a strong financial nation, with a focus on AI governance, cross-border data flow mechanisms, and sustainable finance [10][11][14] - The development of digital RMB and the establishment of financial technology centers in key cities like Shanghai and Hong Kong are strategic priorities [12][15] - The financial industry is expected to continue innovating in green finance and integrating environmental and social responsibilities into core business processes [14]