Andrew Douglas, chair of the UK Accelerated Settlement Taskforce
As we head into 2026, market participants are moving from planning to delivery of T+1. Our latest survey shows that momentum is building, with the majority of firms already preparing for the UK’s move to T+1. This is a strong signal that the industry understands the scale of modernisation required, from automated workflows to real-time processing.
Automation should be a core focus for firms next year. We have learned from the North American transition that manual processes will not survive in a T+1 world. T+1 settlement removes over 80% of the time to resolve errors, so firms must be automated to settle safely and securely.”
In 2026, we also expect to see the conversion of the Taskforce’s recommendations into law, particularly the deadline of 11 October 2027. A clear sign that we are getting ever closer to crunch time.
Next year will be a crucial formative 12 months for ensuring T+1 readiness. Those who invest early and modernise will get ahead and define the next generation of post-trade infrastructure.
Steve Walsh, managing director of reconciliation, Duco
Heading into 2026, European firms will be preparing for T+1, which will be much more complex than the US given the currency and regulatory patchwork. US firms increased headcount by up to 18% to support the move to T+1, and they were working within a landscape of only a few, mostly centralised infrastructures.
Europe is much, much more complex with more than 30 central securities depositories, all with different technologies and rules.
While not all the specifics for the transition have been finalised, firms will need the next year to get ready. We believe they will be heavily focused on adopting a T+0 reconciliation mindset to meet the 80% reduction in post-trade processing time and the challenges that come with it.
Ultimately, we see automation as the only realistic way to achieve this, enabling firms to process more data, with greater accuracy, at higher speed and with shorter investigation times.
Corinna Mitchell, general counsel, Symphony
2026 will be a critical year for T+1 preparedness, especially when reports suggest that four in ten British financial businesses expect to miss the interim deadline of December 2026.
As this deadline gets closer, firms will begin to prioritise methods of automating operational processes in order to satisfy T+1 whilst ensuring that they are meeting compliance standards.
Helen Adair, chief product officer, Taskize
European market infrastructure is heading into a demanding year as the shift to T+1 becomes real rather than theoretical. The regulator has made its expectations clear that firms will be held to account.
The larger banks and custodians have already moved into execution mode, applying lessons from the US transition back in 2024. However, the real pressure point sits with smaller asset managers and alternative funds that have long relied on comfortable timelines and manual processes. Two-day settlement allowed for email chains, spreadsheets and people-led workarounds. One day does not.
The challenge is structural rather than cosmetic. The interaction between investment managers and their service providers is where most breaks occur, and this interaction still depends heavily on outdated tools.
Lean teams simply cannot absorb higher volumes or faster turnaround times without improved workflows. Yet the solution does not require a wholesale rebuild of operating models. Practical, targeted upgrades can make a significant difference.
Collaboration platforms, self-service tools and API-driven data access can replace slow manual exchanges and give firms a more resilient footing. If smaller managers prioritise these changes in 2026, they will find implementing FCA guidance far easier, and they will be better positioned to meet the demands of T+1 with confidence.