FIS and Oxford Economics released groundbreaking research quantifying the annual financial toll businesses face from cyberthreats, fraud, regulatory complexity, and operational inefficiencies—amounting to nearly $100 million per company on average. The study, titled *"The Harmony Gap: Finding the Financial Upside in Uncertainty,"* involved over 1,000 business leaders across the U.S., U.K., and Singapore and identified nine primary sources of disharmony across the money lifecycle.

Key findings include:
- 88% of respondents cited cyberthreats, and 79% cited fraud as leading sources of disruption.
- On average, businesses lose $98.5 million annually due to financial system inefficiencies.
- 51% experienced significant tension during money movement phases, with frequent transaction delays reported despite widespread adoption of automated payment systems.
- 83% prioritize fraud risk management, yet more than half are dissatisfied with their fraud response plans and tools.
- Only 53% of organizations regularly train staff on fraud and cyber awareness.

The research also showed that organizations investing in fintech—particularly embedded finance—saw a tangible return: 82% had implemented such solutions, reporting an average 8.5% increase in sales. Companies with dedicated fintech teams were also more prepared to address disruptions and reported stronger revenue growth.

Although AI and automation were embraced by over half of respondents as a strategic priority, barriers like cost, lack of in-house expertise, and integration challenges persist. Nevertheless, optimism remains strong, with 56% planning to use AI to boost organizational agility and 48% aiming to attract new customers.

FIS will unveil the full research findings at its Emerald conference in May 2025. This study underscores the importance of harmonizing financial operations and embracing advanced technology to enhance resilience, efficiency, and growth.