In Q1 2026, NEACH met with leading third-party providers to explore the latest trends and developments in the payments landscape. Dudley White, Head of Core Account Processing Solutions at Fiserv, shared valuable insights into the evolving payments landscape and what to expect in the year ahead. What follows is a summary of our conversation.
NEACH: What do you see as the next major shift in payments that banks and credit unions should focus on in 2026? Why?
White: The most significant shift in payments for 2026 will be the continued move toward real-time and instant payments, supported by growing adoption of FedNow® and RTP®. Financial institutions must ensure their core systems and payment platforms can process transactions instantly — meeting consumer demands for faster and more efficient money movement — while maintaining strong fraud controls and compliance.
One of the most underexplored opportunities for FIs is to increase their engagement with the small- and medium-sized business (SMB) markets. Ensuring SMBs can make seamless payments — and get paid — anywhere, at any time, is not just about economic opportunity; it is about building strong connections with the SMBs that local communities rely on. FIs that embrace this shift with robust payment solutions will tap into the tremendous opportunity of effectively serving SMBs and help shape the next generation of digital finance.
NEACH: The competitive landscape for FIs continues to change. How can your customers “win” in today’s banking environment? What role do payments play in that strategy?
White: In today’s uncertain environment with constantly changing expectations, successful financial institutions will focus on agility, data-driven decisions, and seamless digital experiences. Success involves using technology to streamline operations while offering personalized engagement that fosters customer/member loyalty and trust. Payments are key to this strategy because they are the most frequent customer/member interaction and remain a vital point of trust.
To achieve this, integrated digital banking and payment ecosystems, including tools for fraud prevention and analytics platforms that help institutions anticipate changing customer/member needs, are essential for any financial institution's toolkit. By aligning payment innovation with core modernization and risk management, institutions can stay competitive and grow.
NEACH: As innovation accelerates, is there a minimum set of services FIs “must” provide? If so, what are they and why? If not, why not?
White: As innovation accelerates, financial institutions must establish a strong foundation of services to remain competitive and meet evolving customer/member expectations. At a minimum, this includes modernized, modular core systems built on open, API-first architectures, enabling seamless integration with FinTechs and third-party solutions. Real-time payments and transaction processing are also essential, as immediacy has become a baseline expectation for consumers and businesses alike. These capabilities ensure agility, reduce technical debt, and allow institutions to adapt quickly without disruptive overhauls.
Equally critical are omnichannel experiences and data-driven intelligence. Customers/members expect consistent, personalized interactions across digital and physical channels, supported by analytics and AI that deliver actionable insights. A scalable, cloud-smart infrastructure and integration-ready ecosystem further empower institutions to innovate efficiently, expand through partnerships, and deliver embedded financial services. Together, these foundational services position financial institutions not only to keep pace with innovation but also to lead in delivering secure, seamless, and future-ready experiences.
NEACH: Fraud remains a major challenge, and with increasingly sophisticated schemes and attacks, it is a top concern for all financial institutions. What are you advising your clients to enhance their mitigation efforts? What new or different trends, collaborations, or industry developments should we expect in 2026?
White: Fraud mitigation in 2026 requires a layered approach that combines advanced analytics, real-time monitoring, and collaborative intelligence. We advise clients to adopt AI-powered fraud detection tools that use machine learning to identify anomalies across ACH, wire, and instant payment channels.
In addition to these tools, solutions are available that integrate with core systems to offer proactive risk scoring and behavioral analysis. What’s new in 2026 is the increasing use of consortium data and shared intelligence models, along with tighter integration with real-time payment networks like FedNow and RTP to prevent fraud before funds leave the institution.
NEACH: AI for fraud prevention, operations, and internal data analysis is becoming increasingly common. For example, how are you using pattern recognition and other AI technologies in the solutions you offer or support?
White: Payment Fraud Manager from Fiserv uses machine learning models that analyze real-time transaction patterns to detect and halt suspicious activity before funds move. On the analytics side, Raddon applies predictive modeling and segmentation to help institutions tailor offerings and anticipate needs.
NEACH: What do you think will be important for FIs regarding their AI strategy and implementation in 2026? Will there be “killer apps” for AI in the coming year, and if so, what will they be? If not, why not?
White: In 2026, financial institutions will need an AI strategy that focuses on practical use cases, strong governance, and measurable outcomes. Rather than chasing hype, success will come from embedding AI into areas that improve efficiency and reduce risk, such as fraud detection, operational automation, and predictive analytics for customer/member engagement. While there may not be a single “killer app,” the most impactful applications will combine real-time data with AI-driven insights to enhance decision-making and compliance.
NEACH: Similarly, stablecoins are heating up for all FIs, in part because they are a focus of this administration. However, Zelle’s recent announcement of a global solution supported by stablecoins is also a big consideration. What do FIs, your customers in particular, need to know about stablecoins? What steps should they take in 2026?
White: Stablecoins are gaining momentum as regulatory clarity improves, and major payment networks explore their use for faster, lower-cost transactions. Financial institutions need to understand how stablecoins fit into their payment strategy, including compliance, liquidity management, and integration with existing systems. Zelle’s shift toward stablecoin-based global payments underscores the importance of interoperability and preparedness for new settlement rails.
In 2025, Fiserv introduced FIUSD, a fully reserved U.S. dollar stablecoin designed for regulated institutions, enabling secure, programmable payments that integrate with existing cores and payment platforms. In 2026, institutions should assess how to incorporate stablecoins into cross-border payments, wallets, and merchant services while establishing governance frameworks to manage risk and regulatory obligations.
NEACH: On the instant payments front, we’re seeing growth on the receive side, but there’s slower traction on the send side. What are you noticing among your clients? What’s preventing them from taking the leap, and how are you helping to address those concerns?
White: We continue to see strong growth in instant payment receipt, especially for consumer and business disbursements, while send adoption is progressing more slowly. The main barriers include operational readiness, liquidity management, and concerns about fraud risk in real-time environments. Many institutions also face integration challenges with legacy systems and uncertainty regarding customer/member demand for outbound instant payments.
Fiserv addresses these concerns through solutions like the Enterprise Payments Platform, which provides real-time posting and settlement capabilities, and the Payment Fraud Manager, which applies advanced analytics to mitigate risk. We also provide liquidity tools and managed services to help institutions confidently expand into instant payment send, ensuring compliance and operational resilience.
NEACH: As a core provider, how are you responding to the rapidly shifting demands of today’s payments landscape overall? How are your products and services changing to help FIs remain competitive?
White: As a leading core provider, we are responding to the evolving payments landscape by modernizing platforms to support real-time, API-driven connectivity and cloud-ready deployment models. Financial institutions need flexibility to integrate new payment rails, manage liquidity in real time, and maintain strong fraud controls, all while reducing operational complexity. Our strategic banking cores are being enhanced to deliver instant posting, event-driven architecture, and seamless integration with services like FedNow and RTP. These enhancements will allow our clients to adapt quickly, remain competitive, and deliver the speed and security customers/members expect.
NEACH: As FI/FinTech partnerships become more common, how are you helping your customers engage with their preferred high-tech solutions? How does that differ from a year or two ago (if it does)? Similarly, we have had a history of FinTech as the enemy, then the frenemy, then the partner: Is that cycle reversing, or is collaboration accelerating?
White: We support financial institutions in collaborating with FinTechs by providing flexible, open platforms that simplify integration and innovation. Communicator Open gives clients secure, API-driven access to Fiserv systems, enabling them to connect with FinTech partners or third-party solutions quickly and efficiently. These tools allow FIs to implement new capabilities, streamline workflows, and deliver enhanced digital experiences without heavy internal development. Collaboration is accelerating as institutions leverage these platforms to integrate best-in-class technology while maintaining control over their core systems and customer/member relationships.
NEACH: About 20 years ago, the industry was implementing Check 21. Now, the industry is looking at FedNow, RTP, Zelle®, Same Day ACH, other faster payments solutions, stablecoins, and more. Additionally, FIs face competition from many FinTechs that actively accept deposits and offer banking services. How are your products and services helping FIs innovate while managing competitive risks from different types of FinTech providers?
White: We help financial institutions innovate and compete with FinTech firms by enabling open integration and collaboration through Communicator Open and our API ecosystem, simplifying connectivity and accelerating time-to-market. Our API-first core Finxact and digital platforms like Experience Digital enable institutions to deliver modern experiences and securely embed FinTech capabilities.
On the payments side, the Enterprise Payments Platform and Payments Exchange offer centralized, real-time processing across FedNow, RTP, and Same Day ACH, ensuring readiness for faster payment networks. We also enhance resilience with SecureNow for cybersecurity and Sentry Managed Services for operational reliability, while introducing new opportunities through FIUSD, our fully reserved stablecoin designed for regulated institutions. These capabilities enable financial institutions to innovate confidently while mitigating competitive risks posed by emerging fintech providers.
NEACH: What innovations should FIs expect from their core, and what innovations do you think will surprise your customers?
White: Financial institutions should expect their core platforms to offer flexibility, real-time processing, and open integration capabilities. Innovations include API-first architecture, event-driven workflows, and cloud-ready deployment models that simplify connections with faster payment rails and fintech solutions. Many clients are surprised by how extensively analytics and automation are embedded into the core, enabling predictive insights for operations and customer/member engagement.
Fiserv delivers these capabilities across our strategic core platforms, including DNA, Signature, Portico, and CoreAdvance, as well as through Finxact for API-driven use cases.
NEACH: What recent or upcoming product rollouts should FIs explore?
White: Across Fiserv, we’re delivering a connected modernization strategy that spans core, digital, and business solutions. Our selection of strategic core banking platforms provides a foundation built on cloud-native microservices and advanced flexibility, enabling institutions to scale and integrate faster. CashFlow Central addresses small business needs by digitizing payables and receivables and integrating them directly into core workflows. Experience Digital consolidates these features into a cloud-based, microservices-driven platform that offers personalized digital banking experiences. Together, they create a cohesive ecosystem that drives efficiency, engagement, and growth for financial institutions and their customers/members.
NEACH: What else would you like to add?
White: Modernization is a comprehensive approach across Fiserv, not just a single product upgrade. Fiserv offers a selection of strategic core banking platforms that provide the foundation for real-time processing and intuitive experiences, while CashFlow Central and Experience Digital extend that value into small business and consumer engagement. Beyond these, we’re embedding AI across our platforms by automating back-office workflows, enhancing fraud detection, and powering predictive insights for customer/member engagement. Combined with real-time payments and event-driven architectures, these capabilities enable institutions to operate smarter, innovate faster, and deliver consistent experiences across every channel.
Dudley White, Head of Core Account Processing Solutions
Dudley White is Head of Core Account Processing Solutions at Fiserv, where he owns strategic direction for the core platforms supporting a third of U.S. banks and credit unions. His leadership also extends to many supporting products and services, including an API platform that empowers financial institutions to integrate with their choice of third-party fintech applications, and a full range of education, advisory, consulting and technology management services.
Prior to this role, he led the Treasury Payments team and was responsible for payments processing for multiple payment types and clearing schemes, including ACH, wire and instant, such as SEPA Instant Credit Transfer (SCT Inst) and The Clearing House (TCH) real-time payments, across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific. He also served as CIO for Fraud, Risk, Compliance, and Payments Solutions at Fiserv.
Prior to joining Fiserv, White held leadership and executive roles at Equifax, S1, Deloitte Consulting and The Coca Cola Company.
White sits on the technology board for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Savana, a banking tech company. He holds a Masters in Accounting with a focus on Systems from the University of Georgia.