Mumbai: KNOLSKAPE, a company that works in the field of experiential learning tech and talent transformation, has released its latest L&D Trends in the BFSI Industry: 2026 Report. The report highlights a growing disconnect between the perceived importance of analytics in Learning and Development (L&D) and its actual implementation across BFSI organizations. The survey draws on insights from 68 BFSI organizations globally, representing a diverse mix of L&D leaders, CXOs, consultants, and operational stakeholders, with 50% of respondents from APAC and India and the remaining 50% representing a cumulative global mix. This includes strong representation from India, with 32 BFSI companies covering an approximate workforce of 1.3 lakh employees.
As BFSI organisations move from training to capability building, AI is becoming an important tool, mainly used to improve efficiency. While 94.1% of firms are using AI to save time and improve work, only 19.1% track how it impacts revenue. This shows a clear gap between using AI and measuring its real business value. Even though many companies are adopting AI and leaders are supportive, most are not yet tracking its contribution to growth, showing that their approach is still developing.
Commenting on the findings, Rajiv Jayaraman, Founder & CEO, KNOLSKAPE, said, “In the BFSI sector, linking learning to measurable outcomes is critical due to regulatory pressures, evolving customer expectations, and high-stakes decisions. L&D must move beyond a support role to become a performance driver, using analytics to connect learning with business impact. This involves measuring outcomes like sales effectiveness, customer retention, fraud detection, and compliance rather than just training completion. With digital banking and fintech disruption accelerating change, BFSI organizations must build capabilities in digital adoption, cybersecurity, and data-driven decision-making, making learning a strategic lever for growth, risk mitigation, and scalable transformation.”
According to the report, the gap becomes evident when examining how organizations measure impact. Only 57.4% of BFSI firms link learning to business outcomes, and an even smaller 47.1% measure return on investment (ROI). This indicates that while organizations are investing in learning initiatives, the ability to quantify their business value remains limited, restricting L&D’s role as a true performance driver.
Other key insights from the report include:
- Most BFSI companies are still starting with AI: 30.9% are testing it, 27.9% are trying small models, 20.6% are just exploring, 16.2% are using it in a limited way, and only 4.4% are using it fully.
- AI is mainly used to save time and improve work: 94.1% use it for efficiency, 60.3% for quality and risk, but fewer use it for customer experience (45.6%), revenue (33.8%), or creating new income (27.9%).
- Very few companies track how AI helps business growth: Only 19.1% track revenue impact, 36.8% don’t track it at all, and 44.1% are not sure if they track it.
- Top focus areas for 2026: 73.5% focus on leadership skills, 70.6% on being ready for AI, 67.6% on continuous learning, and 55.9% on future leaders.
- Learning is slowly being linked to business goals: 76.5% link it to future leaders, 70.6% to business strategy, 54.4% to business understanding, and 47.1% to digital growth.
- Simulation-based learning is in demand but not widely used: 79.4% say it is important, but only 30.9% use it a lot.
- Ways to measure learning are still basic and scattered: 64.7% use manager feedback, 61.8% track engagement, 60.3% check course completion, 57.4% link to business results,
and only 47.1% measure ROI. - Companies are not using internal talent enough: Only 33.8% have internal job systems, 40% open only a few roles internally, and 7% don’t open roles internally at all.
- Analytics is not fully used in L&D: Companies rate its importance at 8.0, but actual usage is 7.1, showing a 0.94 gap between intent and execution
L&D Trends in the BFSI Industry: 2026 Report finds that while BFSI organizations in India are directionally aligned on the importance of analytics, the next phase of evolution will require a shift from intent to execution. As learning becomes increasingly business-linked and AI-driven, the ability to measure impact effectively will serve as a key differentiator for organisations.
As BFSI organisations navigate increasing complexity and transformation pressures, building a data-driven learning ecosystem will be critical. The future of L&D will not be defined by the volume of learning delivered, but by the ability to measure, apply, and scale its impact across the enterprise.
