EU securities firms are keeping AI deployment overwhelmingly internal as new regulatory requirements take effect, according to fresh data from FM Intelligence published Monday. Of 847 AI use cases reported by 728 firms across 19 countries, 87 percent remain behind the scenes for drafting and operational efficiency. Only 10 percent involve customer relationship tools, while just 3 percent directly support investment services.
The findings come as 76 percent of respondents expect moderate to strong impact from the EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act, placing immediate pressure on governance frameworks, vendor oversight and transparency protocols. Investment patterns reveal a stark divide: 93 percent of large firms invested in AI during 2024, compared to just 21 percent of micro firms—a 72-point gap that widens competitive distances. Infrastructure choices tilt heavily toward commercial cloud providers, with 62 percent using only third-party hosting and Microsoft capturing top vendor position among 47 percent of firms disclosing suppliers.
FXnCO Insight
The regulatory compliance burden is pushing firms toward internal AI applications while amplifying resource advantages for large players over smaller competitors.
Source: Finance Magnates