AI and data transform commercial lending lifecycle

Chartis Research’s Credit Lending Operations 2026 report and a webinar hosted with FIS describe a shift in commercial lending from disconnected point solutions to integrated operating models that link data, processes, systems, partners and staff across the credit lifecycle.

The report identifies pressure on lenders to raise efficiency, speed decision-making, strengthen risk oversight and deliver a smoother borrower experience as drivers of the change. Institutions are moving away from isolated workflows toward platforms that provide a single view of lending activity.

Artificial intelligence, real-time analytics and API connectivity are central to the new platforms. Lenders are prioritizing AI for underwriting and credit assessment, for automating workflows and task orchestration, and for continuous portfolio monitoring and servicing actions. The technologies are applied to shorten decision times, reveal risk signals earlier, reduce manual tasks and help standardize servicing processes.

Improvements in data integration are enabling links between origination, servicing, treasury and external data sources. That consolidated data is used to generate a more complete view of customers and exposures, and to inform both initial credit decisions and ongoing monitoring.

The report notes that technology changes require changes to operating models. Banks are advised to create information flows across teams and external partners and to establish governance that preserves resilience and compliance as systems become more connected.

Industry participants outlined pragmatic modernisation approaches that upgrade capabilities without replacing core systems. Typical measures include adding API layers to enable modular connections, deploying real-time analytics engines for decision support, automating targeted processes to remove manual handoffs and testing AI pilots designed to scale.

Panelists in the webinar included Dale Glajchen, vice president and head of commercial loan servicing and syndication at FIS; Anish Shah, research director at Chartis Research; and Tim Probst, global head of commercial loan servicing, enterprise and client strategy at FIS. Sharon Kimathi moderated the discussion.

The Chartis research frames commercial lending operations as moving from fragmented processes toward unified operations that combine intelligence, automation and connectivity. The study calls for banks to balance innovation with operational resilience, adopt collaborative operating models and integrate external partners where that improves information flow and decision-making.