Report 22 Dec 2025

Banking - InSight Analysis - Netherlands

The Dutch banking sector IT investment is surging in 2025/2026, driven by regulatory compliance, cybersecurity, cloud adoption, and fintech competition. With infrastructure and project services growing by over 5%, banks are accelerating digital-first strategies to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency.

Key Drivers of Growth

  • Open banking & embedded finance
  • Regulatory compliance
  • Know Your Customer (KYC)
  • Cybersecurity
  • GenAI and Agentic AI

Competitive landscape

The sector remains dominated by major players ING, Rabobank, and ABN AMRO, controlling 74% of assets. Smaller, customer-centric banks like De Volksbank maintain a strong reputation. Digital and cloud-native banks, such as Bunq and N26, push traditional banks to innovate rapidly.

Digital & Cloud Innovation

  • Expansion of open banking practices with APIs improving multi-bank account management
  • Adoption of GenAI and AI-driven automation for personalized customer support
  • Hybrid cloud strategies balancing regulatory needs and scalability
  • Investments in AI risk management aligned with upcoming EU AI regulations

Enhanced Customer Experience

Banks focus on personalized and seamless digital journeys:

  • ING’s conversational AI reduces operational costs and improves customer satisfaction
  • ABN AMRO’s rapid launch of BUUT targets Gen Z with innovative neobank features
  • Rabobank enhances customer journeys through agile, data-driven services
  • De Volksbank enhances data platforms for real-time customer insights

Future Outlook

The Dutch banking sector IT investment emphasizes:

  • Modernizing payment systems for instant payments compliance
  • Strengthening cybersecurity and fraud prevention with AI tools
  • Driving operational efficiencies through process automation

This necessary digital transformation makes the Dutch banking sector IT investment a cornerstone for future growth, resilience, and customer-centric innovation in the evolving financial landscape.

 

Recommended advisory: PAC Leadership Session – Financial Services Industry – AI Adoption