Modernisation, not maintenance: Why mid-tier banks must act now on payments

By Puja Sharma

Finastra’s U.S. Payments Business Forum 2024 Highlights Strategic Imperatives for Mid-Tier Bank Modernisation

Finastra, a global provider of financial software solutions, recently hosted its annual U.S. Payments Business Forum in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from April 2 to 4, 2024. The event brought together key stakeholders from financial institutions across the country to explore the future of payments through the lens of modernisation, customer-centricity, and ecosystem collaboration.

The three-day forum featured presentations from Finastra experts, industry analysts, and bank executives, providing attendees with critical insights into how evolving market dynamics and increasing customer expectations are reshaping the payments landscape. Discussions ranged from SaaS adoption and regulatory readiness to payment infrastructure upgrades and FinTech partnerships.

One of the central themes of the event was the urgent need for mid-tier banks to modernise their payment infrastructure, especially by migrating to hosted or cloud-based solutions. According to insights shared at the forum, 92% of banks are increasing their investment in payment technologies, while 80% cite legacy systems as a key barrier to innovation. As consumer tolerance for outdated functionality continues to decline, financial institutions are encouraged to proactively adopt forward-looking technologies to meet evolving demands.

“The message was clear—if financial institutions build smarter, more agile payment systems, customers will respond positively,” said an attendee during a breakout session. This “build it, they will come” philosophy was reinforced through data highlighting customer preference for seamless, robust, and automated payment experiences.

Another significant takeaway was the shift in mindset banks must adopt—from playing defense to playing offense. With 89% of businesses investing in payment technologies, banks face stiff competition from FinTech players offering direct solutions to corporates. Alarmingly, only 18% of businesses feel their bank’s reporting tools meet all their needs, while 39% of corporate treasurers expressed willingness to switch institutions for better payment automation. These figures underline the imperative for banks to act swiftly to retain and grow their customer base.

Standardisation also took centre stage. While the ISO20022 messaging standard deadline has been extended to July, presenters emphasised the importance of preparedness. Industry data suggests 90% of U.S. financial institutions are on track, but nearly half are yet to complete third-party testing. Experts advised banks to use this buffer period to bridge the compliance gap and avoid last-minute disruptions.

The forum also spotlighted the power of ecosystem-driven innovation, encouraging banks to leverage FinTech partnerships to enrich their service offerings. FinTechs were positioned not as competitors but as collaborators that can complement existing capabilities and drive meaningful improvements in customer experience.

Barry Rodrigues, EVP Payments at Finastra, summed up the forum’s essence: “This conference underscores the importance of continuous investment in payment technologies to drive innovation and secure a robust future for financial institutions. By adopting trends such as cloud migration and payment automation, banks and credit unions can enhance operational efficiency, meet evolving customer expectations, and stay competitive in a rapidly changing financial landscape.”

The U.S. Payments Business Forum continues to serve as a critical platform for dialogue and collaboration, reaffirming the necessity of agility, partnership, and innovation in building a modern payments infrastructure.

Key takeaways:

• Modernise or Fall Behind: 92% of banks plan to increase payment tech investments; 80% cite legacy systems as a major hurdle. Cloud and SaaS adoption is critical to staying competitive.
• Customer Expectations Are Rising: Users won’t tolerate outdated systems—banks must offer best-in-class experiences to retain them.
• Offence Over Defence: With 89% of businesses investing in payments tech, banks must act fast to prevent losing corporate clients to agile FinTechs.
• Automation Is a Differentiator: 39% of corporate treasurers are willing to switch banks for better automation; only 18% are satisfied with current reporting tools.
• ISO20022 Can’t Be Ignored: Although the compliance deadline is extended to July, nearly half of banks still haven’t completed third-party testing—action is urgent.
• Partnerships Fuel Progress: Embracing FinTech partners helps banks innovate faster and deliver improved customer experiences.