The U.S. banking system is at a crossroads. In its latest report, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) issued a clear warning: outdated core banking systems are becoming a systemic risk—not just for innovation, but for the long-term viability of regional and mid-sized banks. As technology advances and customer expectations evolve, many institutions are discovering that their decades-old cores have quietly become their greatest constraint.

When regulators come knocking, the consequences can be costly. Recently, Wise US—a major remittance provider—was fined $4.2 million across six states for violations tied to the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and anti-money laundering (AML) requirements. The penalties didn’t just stop at a financial hit. Regulators also imposed mandatory oversight and quarterly reporting, forcing the company into a cycle of ongoing scrutiny.

Fraud is escalating at a pace the financial sector can no longer afford to ignore. According to a PYMNTS Intelligence report, U.S. financial institutions saw fraud losses surge 65% last year, averaging $3.8 million lost per firm. Identity fraud has become the single largest driver of suspicious activity, accounting for 42% of cases, while three out of four fraud attempts now target online and mobile channels—precisely where digital-first FinTechs operate.

Banks know they need to change. But many are finding themselves stuck between ambition and reality.

Traditional on-premise contact centers are struggling to meet the demands of modern consumers, as expectations for speed, personalization, and omnichannel support continue to grow. The rise of cloud-native contact centers marks a fundamental shift—these platforms are not merely legacy systems moved to the cloud, but purpose-built environments designed from the ground up using microservices, containers, APIs, and CI/CD pipelines, enabling elastic scalability, real-time intelligence, and operational resilience.

DALLAS, TEXAS – August 06, 2025 /PRNewswire/ – Cali Bank, N.A. has partnered with FinTech Automation (FTA) to modernize its banking infrastructure using the UniFi core banking system. This collaboration is central to Cali Bank, N.A.’s digital transformation strategy, enabling the bank to automate operations, accelerate innovation, and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving financial landscape.

In today’s data-driven economy, businesses can no longer afford to rely on outdated reports or fragmented analytics tools. Real-time, unified insights have become essential for agile decision-making—and platforms that embed analytics directly into operational systems are leading the charge.

As banks accelerate digital transformation, many are being sold on the promise of “cloud-native” core banking systems. But not all that claims to be cloud is truly built for it. According to Nelson Wootton, what’s often marketed as cloud-native is simply legacy tech dressed up for a new environment—what’s now widely called “cloud-washing.”

The global banking industry is undergoing a significant transformation, fueled by rapid advancements in technology, evolving customer expectations, and progressive regulatory frameworks. According to a new report from Market Research Future, the banking market—valued at USD 35.40 billion in 2024—is projected to reach USD 55.25 billion by 2034, growing at a steady CAGR of 4.55% over the forecast period.

In today’s AI-driven economy, banks are still facing a surprising problem: despite digital investments and a wealth of customer data, many still don’t truly know their customers. What’s standing in the way isn’t a lack of intent or technology—it’s fragmented systems. Legacy infrastructure, siloed teams, and piecemeal AI efforts are keeping financial institutions from delivering the kind of proactive, hyper-personalized service customers now expect. A unified platform approach may be the answer.

Global banks may be struggling to keep pace in the ongoing fight against financial crime, despite growing optimism within the industry. According to a recent survey of 800 anti-money laundering, fraud, and compliance professionals across five continents, a majority — 77% — believe banks are “winning the war” against financial crime.

In a move to modernize its operations and deliver a next-generation mobile banking experience, a century-old global bank made a decisive shift away from legacy infrastructure — opting instead for a fully cloud-native digital platform. The goal: launch a user-friendly, regulation-ready solution in the United States, with future scalability across international markets.

Startup failures spiked by 58% in early 2024—the highest quarterly total in the last decade, according to recent data. A major cause? The inability to scale quickly and efficiently during periods of growth.

As digital transformation becomes a top priority for financial institutions, banks are steadily modernizing their IT landscapes and embracing next-generation (next-gen) banking to meet the evolving expectations of customers and markets.

In today’s fintech landscape, innovation isn’t just about adding new features — it’s about creating seamless, reliable, and personalized experiences at scale. As the industry matures, the focus is shifting from flashy front-end interfaces to robust, intelligent infrastructure that can support rapid growth and evolving user expectations.

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly embedded in the DNA of modern enterprises, a growing number of organizations are undergoing sweeping transformations—not just in how they operate, but in how they define and manage their digital and data foundations.

Upgrading a core banking system plays a critical role in enabling digital growth for financial institutions. A modernized core infrastructure improves the speed, flexibility, and reliability of banking operations, allowing institutions to deliver faster and more seamless digital experiences to customers.

xxOnce a paper-based system confined to lined ledgers and spreadsheets, financial recordkeeping has now undergone a digital overhaul. As the demand for faster, more seamless money movement grows, ledgers are playing a vital role in transforming how financial technology providers support real-time payments and cross-border transactions.

Corporate treasurers have long sought to gain better visibility and control over cash flows, but this has become increasingly challenging as organizations grow in complexity.

As the financial sector accelerates its shift toward digital, banks are increasingly investing in data architecture to unlock the full value of generative AI and advanced analytics.

As financial services evolve to meet customer demands for speed, personalization, and real-time access, core banking systems are undergoing a fundamental transformation.

A new study has revealed that businesses investing in advanced digital core technology experience up to 60% higher revenue growth rates and a 40% increase in profitability.

The core banking software industry is at a pivotal moment, with increasing pressure from both technological advancements and evolving customer demands.

In today's data-driven world, efficient data center management is crucial for organizations seeking to enhance performance, streamline operations, and ensure data security. One powerful solution that can help achieve these goals is leveraging an integration platform. By integrating disparate systems, automating processes, and centralizing data management, organizations can optimize their data center operations and drive business growth.

Integration of payment API solutions offers SMBs a path to enhance their payment experience, streamline processes, and drive growth. By leveraging Payment API Integration solutions, businesses can optimize their payment processes, improve security measures, and offer a seamless checkout experience to customers.

Legacy banking systems have long been plagued by data silos, hindering the seamless flow of information and impeding data analytics efforts. To leverage the true power of data, banks must break through these silos and create a unified data environment. By consolidating data from various sources and departments, banks can gain a comprehensive view of their operations, customers, and market trends. This holistic approach enables better decision-making and strategic planning.

Embrace advanced data analytics tools to unearth profound insights into customer behavior, preferences, and market trends, empowering intelligent decision-making and strategic advancements.Personalize services and products in real-time through actionable data insights, enriching customer satisfaction, and nurturing enduring loyalty bonds.Execute targeted marketing campaigns with precision, fueling amplified customer engagement and revenue maximization.

One of the key benefits offered by Unifi is its ability to facilitate seamless data flow across multiple business lines. Previously, banks had to navigate through different systems and platforms to access data from different departments and branches. With Unifi, disparate data sources can be integrated seamlessly, eliminating the need for toggling between systems. This empowers banks to gain a holistic view of customer data, operational metrics, and market trends, enabling more accurate analysis and informed decision-making.

Data-driven innovation allows banks to analyze customer behavior, preferences, and interactions to create personalized offerings. Through predictive analytics, banks can tailor products and services to meet the specific needs of individual customers, ultimately improving customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Moreover, a well-designed data structure allows for efficient data management and retrieval, significantly improving operational agility. Banks can process vast amounts of data in real-time, leading to quicker decision-making processes and enhanced risk management. This agility is particularly crucial in a dynamic financial environment where timely responses to market changes and customer demands can make a substantial difference.

Security and compliance are paramount concerns in the financial sector. The right API middleware not only ensures secure data transmission but also assists in meeting regulatory requirements. This is particularly vital in an era where data protection and regulatory adherence are non-negotiable aspects of financial operations.‍

Automated SARs and CTR filing are critical components of regulatory compliance. Unifi's platform simplifies these processes, reducing manual efforts and ensuring timely and accurate submissions.