If business banking had a favorite pastime, it might be reminiscing about the “good old days” of manual spreadsheets and face-to-face client meetings. But let’s be real: those days are behind us. Today, digital innovation has taken center stage, not only streamlining processes but also transforming client experiences.
As we step into 2025, the first trend reshaping business banking solutions is crystal clear: modernizing processes through digital innovation.
Here’s how automation, artificial intelligence (AI) in banking, and cloud-based technology solutions are changing the game.
Digital innovation begins with automating manual, repetitive tasks like onboarding or reconciliation to free up time for strategic, high-value work—making your workforce happier and your operations more efficient. Samantha Pause, chief innovation officer at Mascoma Bank, shared during a recent webinar, innovation works best when it’s done thoughtfully:
“For us, it’s not just about jumping in. It’s about laying the groundwork to ensure we’re doing it responsibly and effectively.”
Mascoma Bank has taken deliberate steps to prepare for automation by first focusing on rebuilding its technology stack.
Over the past few years, they’ve worked to create holistic access to data across multiple platforms—a necessary step before deploying tools like AI or process automation. Samantha explained:
“Before we can use AI to improve customer experiences or automate processes, we need to ensure we have the right structures, governance, and—most importantly—access to the right data.”
In addition to upgrading their systems, Mascoma Bank also prioritized investing in their people. Samantha shared how they’ve spent the past year upskilling their innovation team to make sure they have the knowledge and tools to use data analytics effectively.
“We’ve built a roadmap and are just beginning to execute it. Our goal is to create hyper-personalized, actionable insights to expand customer relationships and support their financial wellness.”
This thoughtful approach ensures that their automation initiatives are not just quick fixes but long-term solutions that enhance accuracy, compliance, and—most importantly—client satisfaction.
By laying this foundation first, Mascoma Bank is now in a position to integrate automation into key workflows while keeping operations efficient and aligned with client needs. This process-first mindset is critical for any financial institution looking to modernize responsibly while reaping the full benefits of digital innovation.
If automation is the engine, cloud-based business banking solutions are the road it runs on. Cloud technology offers unparalleled flexibility and scalability, helping financial institutions to manage data securely while delivering efficient services to businesses. It also sets the stage for more seamless integration with third-party fintech providers—an area where traditional financial institutions have historically been hesitant to venture.
Kyle Guest, vice president of business services at Mountain America Credit Union, highlighted this dynamic, explaining how financial institutions are beginning to overcome concerns about fintech partnerships:
“Traditionally, financial institutions have been hesitant to partner with fintechs. While fintech technology is often impressive, there’s skepticism about data security and infrastructure.”
However, recognizing that some fintechs have strong safety and security protocols, Mountain America Credit Union has embraced fintech partnerships as part of its cloud transformation strategy. Kyle added:
“We’ve fully embraced this approach, using it as a tool right from the beginning of a relationship.”
One example of this strategy is their work to automate critical client-facing processes, such as business account opening and cash management onboarding. While Mountain America Credit Union still manually oversees certain steps to mitigate fraud risks, the cloud has allowed them to make these processes as digital and automated as possible.
The cloud also brings benefits beyond efficiency. By centralizing data and improving accessibility, it provides the flexibility needed to quickly adapt to changing client needs. Additionally, cloud technology enhances security, as many modern cloud platforms have built-in features to monitor and address threats in real time.
For financial institutions, adopting cloud solutions not only improves operational efficiency but also ensures they’re ready to scale and innovate in collaboration with trusted fintech partners. In this way, the cloud isn’t just a tool—it’s a cornerstone for modern business banking solutions.
For financial institutions looking to modernize their processes, jumping into large-scale transformation can feel overwhelming. Instead, consider starting with smaller, incremental changes. Tackling specific, high-impact areas first allows financial institutions to see immediate benefits while laying the groundwork for broader innovations.
For example, automating repetitive tasks like onboarding or payment processing can significantly reduce manual work and improve efficiency. Another area to explore is implementing customer service chatbots to handle common client questions and provide 24/7 support. As Jeff Luczak from Landmark Credit Union explained:
“We’re working to increase the use of conversational banking with chatbots.”
These bots can respond to client inquiries in real time, freeing up employees to focus on more complex, high-value tasks.
Another smart starting point is improving marketing efforts through digital tools to ensure clients are aware of the products and services they might benefit from. Jeff also highlighted the importance of efficient marketing:
“We’re enhancing digital onboarding with marketing efforts both inside and outside of digital banking. It’s about ensuring people are aware of the products and services we offer and distributing that information more efficiently.”
Finally, many financial institutions are prioritizing streamlined digital account opening for business clients. Jeff addressed this as a critical goal for Landmark Credit Union:
“That’s the brass ring for many financial institutions—a way to digitally allow business members to open accounts with minimal involvement from the bank.”
By starting with specific, high-impact areas like these, financial institutions can achieve quick wins that build momentum for larger-scale innovations. These smaller steps create measurable value for both financial institutions and their clients while setting the stage for a more comprehensive digital transformation in the future.
For businesses, these innovations mean less waiting, fewer errors, and more personalized support. From faster onboarding to smarter financial insights, clients benefit directly from the time and resources financial institutions save through digital transformation.
And while modernizing processes may feel like a challenge, the payoff is clear:
These enhancements don’t just improve client satisfaction—they strengthen relationships and foster loyalty in an increasingly competitive landscape.
Modernizing processes through digital innovation is no longer optional—it’s essential for the future of business banking solutions. By embracing automation, AI in banking, and cloud-based technology, financial institutions can streamline operations, enhance compliance, and provide the kind of personalized experiences clients have come to expect.
As Mandy Lopez, product management lead at Alkami aptly put it:
“Laying the foundation first and ensuring you’ve got all the pieces and people in place is paramount. You don’t want to just throw something out there and hope for the best.”
Modernization is a journey, not a sprint. Financial institutions don’t need to overhaul everything overnight to see progress. Instead, starting with small, intentional steps can yield big results over time.
The institutions that embrace this mindset now will not only keep pace with evolving client expectations but also position themselves as leaders in the increasingly competitive world of business banking solutions.
The time to act is now. Invest in the tools, teams, and technologies that will power the future of business banking—and make 2025 the year your financial institution sets the standard for innovation and client success.
Want to learn more? Watch our on-demand webinar, 2025’s Top 5 Trends in Business Banking.
