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Research Report

Uncaged: How the Right Core Enables Community Bank Growth

Discover how growth leaders are breaking free from legacy limitations

 

Community banks are under pressure from every direction: rising competition for deposits, expanding fintech threats, increasing customer expectations, and growing compliance burdens. New research from Cornerstone and DCI argues that success depends not simply on adopting new technologies, but on building a technology foundation capable of supporting long-term strategic goals.

 

Download this report for a practical roadmap to assess whether your technology foundation is accelerating innovation—or quietly holding your institution back.

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What You’ll Learn in This Report

  • Why the core has become a strategic growth enabler rather than just an operational system
  • How API-first architectures unlock fintech partnerships, AI initiatives and faster innovation
  • Which technology layers above the core have the greatest impact on growth outcomes
  • What separates vendor relationships that accelerate growth from those that create friction

Report Stats At a Glance

48%

 

of banks consider a lack of data and operational metrics a top technology challenge, up nearly double from 2025.

80%

 

of bank executives view big fintechs as a significant threat, up from 47% in 2023, underscoring a dramatic shift in the competitive landscape.

60%

 

of potential customers are lost during account opening due to friction, and abandonment exceeds 50% when a digital application takes more than 3-5 minutes.

Ready to See Real Results With Your Financial Institution?

Solutions from Cornerstone Advisors

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Technology Transformation

 With the right core, digital and other systems, you can compete, thrive and better serve customers and members. Our Technology Transformation services range from helping financial institutions select and implement new technology systems, optimize the systems they already have for maximum performance, as well as help your organization develop a technology roadmap to determine the state of your current technology and what you need to become future ready.

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Core Banking System Consulting

Maximize the value of your core banking technology with independent, expert guidance from Cornerstone Advisors. From modernization roadmaps and system selection to contract negotiations, implementation and optimization, we help banks and credit unions reduce costs and risk, make confident decisions, and achieve measurable results from their core investments.

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About Cornerstone Advisors

For over 20 years, Cornerstone Advisors has delivered gritty insights, bold strategies and data-driven solutions to build smarter banks, credit unions and fintechs. From technology system selection and implementation to contract negotiations, vendor management, performance improvement programs, strategic planning, merger integration and enterprise program management, Cornerstone combines its expertise with proprietary data and research to help financial institutions thrive in today’s challenging environment. For more information, visit www.crnrstone.com, connect with us on LinkedIn and Youtube, and subscribe to GonzoBanker® for our opinionated take on all things banking.