Finextra and NICE Actimize have published a new survey examining fraud trends across European financial services, offering a snapshot of how institutions are responding to evolving criminal tactics. The European Fraud Insights report for 2026 explores current challenges faced by banks and financial firms as they combat increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes targeting both retail and corporate clients.
The report arrives as European financial institutions grapple with rising fraud losses and regulatory pressure to implement stronger controls. Payment service providers and brokers face particular scrutiny under frameworks like the revised Payment Services Directive, which holds firms accountable for security failures and requires robust authentication measures. The survey data provides benchmarking insights into how peers are allocating resources, deploying technology, and structuring their fraud prevention operations.
For FX and CFD brokers, the findings are especially relevant given the sector’s vulnerability to account takeover fraud, payment fraud, and identity spoofing. Regulatory expectations continue to climb, with authorities demanding not only compliance with anti-money laundering requirements but also proactive fraud detection capabilities. Firms that fail to meet these standards risk enforcement action, reputational damage, and customer attrition.
Payment businesses and fintech companies can use the report to gauge their own defences against industry benchmarks and identify gaps in their fraud management strategies. Understanding competitor approaches and emerging fraud vectors helps firms stay ahead of both criminals and regulators.
FXnCO Insight
European financial firms must treat fraud prevention as a core compliance obligation, not just an operational cost centre, as regulators increasingly link fraud controls to licensing conditions and ongoing supervisory assessments.
Source: Finextra