Few topics spark as much debate right now as AI. And among Kreditföreningen’s members, opinions are far from uniform.

“There’s a strong desire to automate. Not to remove people, but to free up time – to work more proactively, create value for customers, and improve forecasting”, says Malin Simonsen.

At the same time, skepticism remains.

“Some still see AI as a bubble. There’s an ongoing debate about whether it’s a trend that will fade or something more fundamental”, adds Malin Lövgren.

Simonsen understands the concern – but struggles to see a way back.

“Tools like ChatGPT don’t replace thinking. They support it. I’m rarely satisfied with the first answer, but I wouldn’t want to work without that support anymore.”

In practice, the conversation has shifted. AI is no longer just about innovation – it’s about how decision-making actually works in regulated, high-risk environments.

Regulation, risk, and the pressure to keep up

If AI is one side of the equation, regulation is the other.

“What we see clearly is that compliance and regulatory questions dominate the agenda. There’s a constant need to adapt, and many organizations are struggling to keep pace,” says Lövgren.

Interest in regulatory topics is growing rapidly, especially at conferences and member forums. But there’s also frustration:

“How do you modernize processes without losing sight of the customer?” Lövgren asks.

For Simonsen, risk has also taken on new dimensions.

“Organized crime, infiltration, fraud – these are no longer edge cases. Many organizations see warning signs, patterns that don’t add up. The challenge is knowing what to do when a customer is already onboarded.”

These are exactly the types of topics Kreditföreningen is now addressing more openly through member discussions, events, and initiatives like Credit Talk – helping organizations navigate complex, sometimes uncomfortable realities.

The world outside matters more than ever

Another recurring theme in the conversation: the outside world.

“When the U.S. sneezes, Europe catches a cold,” Simonsen notes.

Geopolitics, cyber threats, disinformation, and global instability increasingly affect financial institutions, often in indirect ways. Cyberattacks remain a constant concern.

“The risk isn’t decreasing,” says Lövgren. “If anything, awareness is growing.”

At the same time, the economic outlook is cautiously brighter – but uncertainty lingers. Construction is slow to restart. Markets remain careful. And post-pandemic behavior has changed how people engage, even with events and professional communities.

From static data to real-time understanding

Across all these topics runs a common thread: timing.

Decisions are being made in a faster, more complex environment – but often with outdated or fragmented information. That gap between available data and data actually used in decisions is becoming harder to ignore.

“Relying on old information carries real risk,” is a sentiment echoed by many of Kreditföreningen’s members. Real-time insight is no longer a nice-to-have. It’s increasingly essential for responsible decision-making.

Different sectors are moving at different speeds. Some industries have already embraced real-time, data-driven approaches. Others are held back by regulation, legacy systems, or risk appetite.

Looking ahead and working together

Despite the challenges, both Malins remain optimistic. Across Europe, collaboration is increasing. From Nordic initiatives to broader European cooperation, there’s a shared sense that many of these challenges – fraud, regulation and digital transformation are best addressed together.

That’s also why the collaboration with Kreditz feels timely.

“What I look forward to most is gaining new insights,” says Lövgren. “Especially around regulatory perspectives and being able to share that knowledge with our members.”

For Kreditz, these conversations matter. Not because there are simple answers. But because better decisions start with better understanding.

The credit landscape is changing

Not driven by hype – but by real pressures, real risks, and real people trying to do the right thing in complex environments. And those are exactly the conversations worth having.