Bank Director Releases 2019 Technology Survey Findings

Brentwood, Tenn., August 27, 2019 – Bank Director, the leading information resource for leadership and board members of financial institutions nationwide, today released its 2019 Technology Survey, sponsored by CDW. The survey, which was conducted in June and July 2019, includes the views of CEOs, technology executives and independent directors, and seeks to better understand bank strategies, staffing and budgets around technology and innovation, as well as relationships with legacy core providers and newer vendors.

“While most bank executives and directors rate their financial institution’s technology offerings as “adequate,” the intense need to improve the customer experience and create efficiency is driving technology strategies for many leadership teams,” says Emily McCormick, Vice President of Research at Bank Director.

Improving the customer experience is a top objective driving bank strategies around the investment, development and implementation of technology, according to 78% of survey respondents, and 72% indicate an imperative to create a more efficient operation.

“You have to understand the customer to enhance the customer experience,” says Scott Hiemstra, financial services sales director at CDW. Yet, 48% of respondents say their bank’s data analytics capabilities are inadequate, making it more difficult to meet key strategic goals.

Despite the rise of the digital channel, 51% of respondents say the branch is equally important to online and mobile channels when it comes to growing the bank, and more than half indicate they’re upgrading branch and ATM technology.

Other key findings from the survey include:

Technology Pain Points
At 60%, the majority of those responding to the survey say their current core provider is slow to provide innovative solutions or upgrades to their bank, and almost half cite difficulty in implementing new solutions. These are major sticking points when 60% rely on their core provider to introduce innovative solutions.

Rising Budgets
For 45%, the bank’s technology budget has risen between 5% to 10% for fiscal year 2019. Almost one-quarter report an increase of more than 15%. Responding banks budgeted a median of $750,000 for FY2019.

Where the Money’s Going
In addition to automation, digital enhancements and branch improvements, banks are hiring consultants to supplement in-house expertise (50%), and bringing on additional employees to focus on technology and innovation (43%).

Cybersecurity Top of Mind
Protecting the bank from cyberattacks dominates board technology discussions, according to 96% of the respondents. Many boards also focus on process improvements (63%) and implementing innovative customer-facing technology (46%).

Full survey results are now available online at BankDirector.com and will be featured in the 4th quarter 2019 issue of Bank Director magazine.

About Bank Director
Since 1991, Bank Director has served as a leading information resource for the directors and officers of financial institutions. Through Bank Director magazine, executive-level research, annual conferences and its website, BankDirector.com, Bank Director reaches the leaders of the institutions that comprise America’s banking industry. Bank Director is headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee. For more information, please visit BankDirector.com.

About CDW
WE GET FINANCIAL SERVICES
We’ve helped over 12,700 depository institutions, capital markets and specialty financial services companies address their IT challenges for more than 30 years. So we understand the nuances of leveraging technology in the bank or credit union, on the trading floor or within an insurance firm. And because we’re a leading technology solutions provider in the industries we service, we give you access to 1,000+ brands and 100,000+ products to ensure you get the most out of your IT investment.

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For more information, please contact Bank Director’s Chief Marketing Officer, Michelle King at [email protected].