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Research Report & Video Series

The Journey Toward 2030: Becoming a Smarter Bank

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Adapt or Get Left Behind

Banking is changing fast, and banks and credit unions that don’t adapt run the risk of being left behind. Traditional models—rigid hierarchies, sluggish processes, and reliance on legacy systems—are no match for today’s digital-first competitors.

Cornerstone Advisors has identified five key pillars—Hyper-Efficient, Data-Driven, Nimble, Differentiated, and Opportunistic—that are not just best practices; they are the blueprint for Building Smarter Banks®. These pillars address the biggest challenges banks and credit unions face today, offering a blueprint for the journey toward 2030. Throughout this paper, we’ll explore each pillar, backed by data, real-world insights, and proven strategies.

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The 5 Pillars of a Smarter Bank

Hyper-Efficient:  Groundbreaking efficiency will be the hallmark of the Smarter Bank, driven by a combination of digital self-service, process automation, and artificial intelligence.

Data-Driven: Smarter Banks will need to take inspiration from trailblazer organizations that know how to drive value by leveraging data to make better, faster, and more informed decisions.

Nimble: Forget annual planning cycles. Banks and credit unions that intend to survive in a technology-first era understand they are in a constant “release” environment and must continually balance structure with “getting stuff out the door fast.”

Differentiated: To compete with non-traditional banks, the Smarter Bank will need to shrug off plain vanilla “sameness” and forge distinct competitive positions and segmented brands.

Opportunistic: Whether it’s M&A, talent carve-outs, new market entries, or new lines of business, Smarter Banks will be the ones that know when to move and look for opportunities—particularly when the industry is inward-focused and risk-averse.

 

Video Series

Becoming a Smarter Bank

This video series will discuss the 5 pillars of becoming a Smarter Bank: Hyper-Efficient, Data-Driven, Nimble, Differentiated, and Opportunistic. Join our subject matter experts in dynamic, panel-style discussions as they share insights, strategies, and real-world stories from the field.

Video Series

Becoming a Smarter Bank

Coming Soon May 2025

Download the report to get exclusive access to our Becoming a Smarter Bank video series, covering each of these pillars in depth. Join our subject matter experts in dynamic, panel-style discussions as they share insights, strategies, and real-world stories from the field. Stay tuned for the first video in this on-demand series!

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About Cornerstone Advisors

At Cornerstone Advisors, our goal is to deliver tangible business impact to financial institutions and fintechs. We know that when institutions improve their strategies, technology, and operations, enhanced financial performance naturally follows. Because we live by the philosophy that businesses can’t improve what they don’t measure, we show banks and credit unions how to use laser-focused measurement to make smarter technology decisions.