FREE RESEARCH · UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2026
AI in Small Financial Firms: 2026 Research
Where accounting firms, collection agencies, insurance agencies and community banks are using AI, what's holding them back, and where the spending is going. Every number is sourced.
The 2026 research pack
A one-page infographic and a 6-slide briefing to share with your partners or leadership team.
OrbitValue RESEARCH / 2026PDF · 1 page- Top 3 AI use cases and top 3 barriers for small financial firms
- The systems AI must work inside: Microsoft 365, QuickBooks, CRMs and industry platforms
- AI spending and adoption across 6 segments, from CPA firms to community banks
- A practical 4-step way to start with one workflow
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AI spending and adoption by segment
Spending = investment or budget plans. Adoption = share using AI. Each figure comes from a separate 2026 survey, so compare them as direction, not a strict ranking.
| Segment | Signal | What it measures | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPA / Tax firms | 57%Spending | Say AI is their top tech investment (35% in 2024, 47% in 2025) | Thomson Reuters, 600+ tax pros |
| Community banks | 78%Spending | Plan to raise fintech spending; 64% pursuing or planning AI ($30M–$7B assets) | York PR, 756 bank execs |
| Collection agencies | 93%Adoption + spend | Use AI or machine learning (73% a year earlier); 76% plan higher tech spend | TransUnion 2026 |
| Insurance agencies | 65%Adoption | Of agents used AI (37% a year earlier); 14% of agencies have implemented it | Liberty Mutual, 1,149 agency staff |
| Wealth advisors (RIAs) | 63%Adoption | Use AI in some way; about 1 in 10 of those have an AI strategy | Charles Schwab, 533 RIAs |
| Mortgage brokers | 55%Adoption | Use AI daily or regularly; 72% expect significant growth | AD Mortgage, 250+ brokers |
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