As financial institutions prepare for a new year of regulatory evolution, the need for proactive compliance strategies is growing. Fenergo’s Regulatory Horizon Scanning 2026 webinar brought together leaders from Fenergo and PwC to discuss the key regulatory changes to be aware of and the crucial steps organizations must take to future-proof their operations. This year’s conversation centered on the most significant trends expected to influence operations in 2026, including sanctions evolution, AI governance and regulatory harmonization.
North America: Legacy Regulation and New Approaches
The discussion opened with a deep dive into the North American regulatory environment. The panel reflected on the symbolic milestone of 55 years since the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) came into force. Despite the Act’s long-standing role, the current regulatory climate signals towards de-regulation. The speakers explored why this shift is emerging now and what risks and opportunities it presents for regulated entities. The panel discussed why understanding this sentiment is key to anticipating regulatory changes while maintaining robust risk management standards. The discussion underscored the need for more dynamic, technology-enabled monitoring to keep pace with regulatory developments.
AI Adoption: A Global Patchwork of Expectations
A key theme in the discussion was the clear divergence in how different regions approach AI regulation. The panel explored why regulatory guidance varies so widely and what that means for innovation, operational efficiency and oversight.
With AI now influencing more stages of the financial crime lifecycle, the conversation highlighted the growing need for consistent guidance, strong governance and clear guardrails. Panelists agreed this will allow institutions to modernize responsibly while maintaining trust and compliance.
Europe: Meaningful Progress Toward Harmonization
Turning to the EU, the speakers emphasized that harmonization is a defining theme for 2026. Financial institutions must stay alert to upcoming changes. The panel explored how far harmonization efforts are likely to progress in the year ahead and the practical steps firms can take now to prepare. Those operating across multiple EU member states should expect more standardized obligations, enhanced supervision, and the need for integrated compliance technology.
APAC & MENA: Accelerating Standards and Approaching Deadlines
The session concluded with insights into Asia Pacific (APAC) and Middle East and North Africa (MENA), where regulatory updates are reshaping obligations. Key developments include reforms to harmonization rules among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Australia’s expansion of anti-money laundering (AML) laws.
Across the broader APAC and MENA regions, progress towards Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) transparency and alignment with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards continues to influence compliance strategies. Panelists also discussed what global alignment means for multi-jurisdictional institutions.
Conclusion
As global regulatory expectations continue to shift, the insights shared during the Regulatory Horizon Scanning 2026 webinar make clear that financial institutions must adopt proactive, technology-enabled compliance strategies to future-proof their operations and remain resilient in an evolving regulatory landscape.
Click here to register for the webinar and report.