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Nearly 4 in 10 CFOs See Gen AI Paying Off Within Two Years

CFOs are pivoting toward practical AI applications that promise faster returns on investment and streamlined financial operations.

Curated by Financing Your Way from original reporting by PYMNTS. Summary is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed — see our editorial standards.

FYWBy Financing Your Way EditorialAugust 14, 2026

Generative AI is shifting from a futuristic concept to a practical tool for finance departments. Recent data shows that nearly 40% of CFOs now expect a positive return on investment from AI within just two years. This shift suggests that the technology is moving beyond hype and into functional use cases that impact your bottom line. For retailers and service providers, this means the tools used to manage your financing programs—such as credit decisioning engines and automated customer service—are becoming more efficient and affordable. While some leaders still expect a longer payoff period, the growing consensus is that AI can quickly streamline back-office operations. For your business, this could manifest as faster loan approvals for your customers and more accurate risk assessment from your lending partners. CFOs are increasingly focusing on how these tools can reduce manual labor in accounting and data analysis. As these technologies mature, expect your financing partners to offer more integrated, AI-driven features that help you close sales faster with less administrative friction. The goal is no longer just 'innovation' for its own sake, but rather measurable improvements in cash flow and operational speed.

Source: PYMNTS

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