Small businesses could give credit unions their next opening for growth, with demand for artificial intelligence financial tools running ahead of consumer interest.
The PYMNTS Intelligence report “The Practical AI Opportunity: Why SMBs Want Guidance Before Automation” revealed in June that 75% of small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) said they would use at least one AI feature from their financial institutions within two years, compared with 59% of consumers. That 16-percentage-point gap points to an opportunity to help business owners manage their money.
The report found especially strong interest among high-revenue and profitable businesses, with owners seeking practical support for everyday financial decisions. The emphasis was on useful information that owners could act on while keeping control of their finances.
We’d love to be your preferred source for news.
Please add us to your preferred sources list so our news, data and interviews show up in your feed. Thanks!
Key findings:
- High-revenue businesses showed the strongest interest. Among SMBs generating more than $1 million in annual revenue, 83% expressed interest in AI financial services, compared with 63% of those generating less than $250,000. That 20-percentage-point difference gives credit unions a reason to examine the needs of larger business members.
- Profitable firms also wanted more help. Among businesses that earned a profit in 2025, 77% reported interest in AI financial tools, compared with 45% of those that lost money. The 32-percentage-point gap suggests that successful firms see value in additional financial guidance. An AI adviser could work like a navigation app, helping owners assess their options while they choose the route. These owners aren’t necessarily looking to surrender control.
- Expense tracking offers a practical starting point. Some 31% of SMBs expressed interest in using AI to track expenses. The report also identified demand for budgeting, cash flow management, supplier discovery and financial product comparisons. These are concrete tasks that credit unions can use to shape their offerings. Helping an owner understand spending or plan for upcoming bills could make AI useful in the regular course of running a business.
Other findings suggest credit unions have room to respond. The report showed that 49% of credit unions viewed AI and conversational assistants as a way to attract members, although AI agents ranked ninth among 13 innovation priorities.
The report recommended beginning with financial guidance and conversational tools, then expanding capabilities as institutions gain experience and members develop trust. It also identified partnerships with technology providers and credit union service organizations as a way to accelerate deployment.
Credit unions don’t have to replace all their existing systems to begin offering the practical assistance business owners want.
For all PYMNTS AI coverage, subscribe to the daily AI newsletter.
At PYMNTS Intelligence, we work with businesses to uncover insights that fuel intelligent, data-driven discussions on changing customer expectations, a more connected economy and the strategic shifts necessary to achieve outcomes. With rigorous research methodologies and unwavering commitment to objective quality, we offer trusted data to grow your business. As our partner, you’ll have access to our diverse team of PhDs, researchers, data analysts, number crunchers, subject matter veterans and editorial experts.
Add as Preferred Source
