---
title: "Middle East lenders must adopt AI and composable infrastructure to stay competitive by 2028"
slug: "middle-east-lenders-must-adopt-ai-and-composable-infrastructure-to-sta"
date: "2026-10-29"
category: "FinTech"
author: "Tariq Al-Mansoor"
correspondent: "Tariq Al-Mansoor"
correspondentRole: "Gulf & Capital Correspondent"
readingTimeMinutes: 1
tags: ["Fintech","News"]
originalSourceUrl: "https://fintechnews.ae/34516/lending/winning-middle-east-lenders-will-run-on-ai-and-composable-infrastructure/"
canonicalUrl: "https://aurav.ae/middle-east-lenders-must-adopt-ai-and-composable-infrastructure-to-sta"
publisher: "Aura-V Intelligence (aurav.ae)"
---

# Middle East lenders must adopt AI and composable infrastructure to stay competitive by 2028

> A new Stitch and IBS Intelligence report predicts that by 2028 the region’s top lenders will rely on AI, unified data and modular systems to meet instant-fund expectations.

## Key Takeaways (TL;DR)

- By 2028, leading Middle East lenders will use AI-driven automation and composable infrastructure for real-time decisions.
- Only 19% of borrowers now receive same-day funds, while 50% expect instant disbursement.
- Digital-native challengers are gaining market share as banks lag on full-digital loan processes.

By 2028, the most competitive lenders in the Middle East will operate from unified data, make decisions in real time through intelligent automation, and use composable infrastructure that allows products, regulations and tech capabilities to evolve without rebuilding core systems, according to a new paper by banking infrastructure provider Stitch and British fintech research firm IBS Intelligence [source](https://fintechnews.ae/34516/lending/winning-middle-east-lenders-will-run-on-ai-and-composable-infrastructure/).

The study, based on a survey of more than 100 consumers across six markets and interviews with senior lending executives, found that half of borrowers expect funds instantly or same day, yet only 19% receive that speed. Faster approval and disbursement were cited by 51% of respondents as the top improvement area.

Digital-native fintech and BNPL providers are attracting borrowers who find banks too slow or cumbersome.

Our read: The gap between borrower expectations and current bank capabilities creates a clear incentive for lenders to overhaul legacy systems. AI-enabled decisioning and modular infrastructure appear essential to capture the growing, youthful market and to compete with agile fintech challengers.

---

*Original Think-Tank Source: [Winning Middle East Lenders Will Run on AI and Composable Infrastructure](https://fintechnews.ae/34516/lending/winning-middle-east-lenders-will-run-on-ai-and-composable-infrastructure/)*