Corporate banking IT spending continues to grow strongly as Asian economies (alongside their global peers) try to shake off the economic challenges of the past two years. For product technology investment, 2025 will be the year of client lifecycle management and corporate digital platforms. Banks should invest in these areas to support customer digital journeys and speedy, smart product offerings.

• Bank IT spending in Asia-Pacific maintains its upward trajectory, though with notable regional divergences. Celent’s latest Dimensions survey data shows that IT spending for corporate banking is set to grow 5.4% in 2025 and climbing to 5.8% in 2026—lagging global averages but extending a three-year acceleration streak (up from 5.1% in 2024). Singapore leads the charge with a standout 7% growth in 2025, outpacing the global average, while Australia and India are priming for steeper growth through 2026.

• The data reveals a notable uptick in bank technology budgets allocated to ‘change the bank’ initiatives—rising from 39% in 2024 to 49% this year among Asian banks, now on par with global and regional peers. Tops in 2025 is Australia, where a projected 56% of IT spending will fuel transformation efforts, topping the regional ranks.

• The region's top three IT investment drivers remain: (1) compliance/regulatory demands, (2) IT security and operational resilience enhancements, and (3) pursuit of greater speed and agility. Notably, product innovation and customer experience initiatives also ranked highly—underscoring banks' dual focus on both defensive capabilities and offensive growth strategies to attract and retain customers.

• Digital identity solutions, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced data analytics—along with workflow automation—top this year’s investment priorities. Notably, this marks the first time AI has ranked among the top three investment focuses for Asian banks.

• In terms of business and product priorities, there is no clear leader. Banks are investing in corporate digital banking platforms, enhancing client lifecycle management, payment modernization, liquidity management, and loan origination services. Whatever the product or service, the banking experience matters to clients.