When acquiring another financial institution, banks with mainframe cores hold a decisive advantage in migrating accounts and integrating operations.

Some banks and credit unions are partnering with their vendors to pilot and implement AI solutions that promise to level the playing field with larger banks.

With a clear road map, banks can make real-time payments a pillar of growth, providing strategic benefits to their customers.

Skeptics say the budding technology is a gamble because banks must disrupt card fee revenue while trying to change consumer habits.

As fraud continues to evolve, so too must the defenses. For smaller institutions, the path forward combines modern advances with tried-and-true methods.