Banks Shift Battle to Decision Speed as Competition Intensifies, Moody’s Says

Kuala Lumpur, 28 May 2026 – Speed in decision-making is becoming a defining competitive edge for banks as financial institutions face growing pressure from agile rivals, changing customer expectations and a more complex operating environment, according to Moody’s.

The shift reflects a broader change in banking competition. While capital strength, funding stability and asset quality remain essential, banks are increasingly being judged by how quickly they can assess risk, approve financing, respond to market changes and deliver digital services to customers. In a market where fintech players, private credit providers and digitally enabled lenders are moving faster, traditional banks can no longer rely only on scale and legacy relationships.