Global Compliance Outlook Report

Rising Ambition. Fragmented Reality.

MCO’s Global Compliance Outlook, a survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of MCO, examines the priorities, pressures, technology investments, and emerging risks shaping financial services compliance in 2026.

Based on insights from 370 compliance professionals across the U.S., Europe, and APAC, the research provides a benchmark for how financial services compliance leaders are preparing for the year ahead.

Download the Report

Read the research behind the trends shaping compliance investment, technology, risk, and leadership.

Key Findings at a Glance

93%

Expect higher compliance budgets
Over the next 12 months.

89%

Expect more technology investment
In Compliance Systems.

13.8

Separate compliance systems
Used on average by firms.

44%

Use AI in production
For analytics and risk scoring.

What Will You Learn?

Go beyond the headline findings to understand how financial services firms are responding to a changing compliance environment.

Where Compliance Investment Is Going

See which compliance capabilities are attracting attention as firms plan their next technology and resource decisions.

Why Fragmentation Remains a Challenge

Understand the operational challenges created by disconnected systems, workflows, and data.

How AI Is Moving Into Compliance Operations

Explore current adoption, valuable use cases, and the governance concerns influencing wider deployment.

How the Role of Compliance Is Evolving

Learn how the role is expanding toward strategic advice, data-driven decisions, and greater use of technology.