Beyond inclusion: The 2026 global mandate for women-centered banking
Özge Tekalp, Chief Customer and Project Officer at Locksmith Software Technologies, examines why women are becoming the primary engine of growth in retail and SME banking.
The 2026 mandate
As we enter 2026, women control approximately one-third of all retail financial assets in the United States and European Union—a share projected to reach 40–45% by 2030 (McKinsey, 2025).
This is no longer a “segment.” It is the primary engine of global retail and SME banking growth.
Two macro forces make 2026 the inflection year.
First: Agentic AI—autonomous systems that can navigate complex, non-linear credit histories, anticipate life-stage transitions before the customer articulates the need, and deliver personalized financial guidance at a scale no relationship banker can match.
Second: The geopolitics of scarcity—supply chain fragmentation, trade policy volatility, and capital flow uncertainty are creating structural demand for financial products built around resilience and optionality.
Women-centered banking is uniquely positioned at both intersections.
SME Banking community
With Qorus memberships, you gain access to exclusive innovation best practices and tailored matchmaking opportunities with executives who share your challenges.