Banking Reports & White Papers

A collection of exclusive studies, white papers, eBooks and research reports produced in collaboration with The Financial Brand’s partners.

Want help publishing a report or white paper? Click here.

Ready to Roll with Instant Issuance?

picture of cpi card group cover of reportYou’ll need to make several critical decisions on how to build out your program. These decisions range from the number and types of card printers to the type and amount of card stock to keep in inventory.

However, the most important decision you will make before implementation is the type of software hosting model on which to build your instant issuance card program.

In this report, we share six reasons why the SaaS model offers benefits over the SFP model to support your institution’s instant issuance needs.

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Banking Reimagined: Unlocking Digital-First Banking Experiences

Unlocking Digital-First Banking Experiences Report Cover Image

Consumers will adopt technology at warp speed if it makes their lives easier and is simple to use.

This seamless experience and personalization between devices are what consumers expect from every company they do business with. Including yours.

This report from NCR Voyix will be your guide through the continuous journey of becoming digital first.

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The Digital Arms Race

Digital Arms Race Report Cover ImageCommunity banks and credit unions play a critical role in the geographies they serve.

But customers and members — the same ones you once considered a captive audience — are on the move. Today, you face fierce
competition from non-traditional organizations, including digital-first banks, fintechs, mobile payment platforms, and other challengers that
are targeting your customers and members.

This report from EXL shares how community banks and credit unions can thrive with a data-led approach (backed with some real-life examples).

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Navigating Digital Lending in the Face of Fraud

picture of meridianlink reportAs a financial institution (FI), you’re increasingly exposed to highly organized and coordinated attacks, especially when it comes to identity theft, payment fraud, and ransomware.

If left unrestrained, these threats can erode trust, undermine financial stability, and inflict substantial losses on both your FI and your consumers.

Explore the multifaceted outlook on fraud and how to best manage that risk within financial services with cutting-edge strategies, emerging technologies, and best practices to help safeguard your financial assets and preserve the trust and loyalty of your consumers.

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The Credit Economy: How Younger Consumers Make Credit Decisions

image of man sitting in a chairHouseholds are borrowing more money, meaning it is critical to understand the mechanics of how consumers make credit decisions.

As household debt increases, it’s essential to grasp the dynamics behind consumer credit decision-making processes. Diverse financial pressures across generations result in distinct preferences for credit options.

This analysis, a joint effort by PYMNTS and i2c, delves into the credit usage patterns and mindsets of younger consumers specifically.

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Unchartered Territory: Digital Banking Trends and Predictions 2024

picture of ebank's reportThere are major opportunities ahead for innovators that make the right decisions today. Our guide to the trends and technologies that will shape the digital banking landscape in 2024 will help you plan for the disruption ahead and understand the technology investments that will drive future growth.

Find, actionable advice and guidance to help banks thrive during a year of rising competition, technological disruption and challenging economic headwinds.

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Disrupting Vendor Selection: Shaking Up Old Ways of Picking a Digital Banking Partner

Shaking Up Old Ways of Picking a Digital Banking PartnerThis report from Tyfone discusses what financial institutions need to know and do to choose the right digital banking partner.

This report includes:

  • Why customers are looking for better digital CX
  • What to look for in a digital banking partner
  • The right questions to ask when you think you’ve found them

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Data + AI Foundations in the Cloud for Financial Services

cover of snowflake's report on data and ai foundationsThis report from Snowflake shows how industry leaders are prioritizing AI, data science and collaboration workloads in the cloud and where financial services organizations are prioritizing future investments.

This report includes:

  • How industry leaders are prioritizing AI, data science and collaboration workloads in the cloud
  • The role cost optimization and economic value play in these organizations’ cloud migration
  • The top reasons industry leaders have adopted or will adopt a multi-cloud strategy
  • Where financial services organizations are prioritizing future investments

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A New Paradigm in Loan Underwriting: Cash-Flow & Residual Income Analysis

A New Paradigm in Loan Underwriting: Cash-Flow & Residual Income AnalysisAs alternatives to traditional credit scoring become better understood and prove reliable in predicting default risk, banks and lenders will have both a responsibility and a strong financial rationale to adopt them.

By doing so, they will open the door to homeownership to many creditworthy customers who have been disenfranchised by outdated credit score-based underwriting.

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AI: The New Marketing Playbook

AI: The New Marketing PlaybookThis report from Yext showcases how banks and credit unions of all sizes in the 21st century can use AI to their advantage in their marketing strategy.

Report Highlights Include:

  • How to answer more user questions by structuring your information in a way AI can understand
  • How to take advantage of content generation
  • Scale your financial organization with the use of conversational AI

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Cracking the Code of Gen Z

Cracking the Code of Gen Z Report Cover ImageThis 23-page report from Nymbus details how this young generation represents a significant opportunity for financial institutions.

This report includes:

  • Gen Z’s expectations for a banking experience
  • Building a Gen Z Brand
  • How to identify the right offerings for Gen Z

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Minding the Revenue Gaps

Minding the Revenue Gaps Cover ImageIn this timely new report from Paymentus, get an in-depth look at how the current payment ecosystem stops you from earning revenue and how centralizing bill pay, loan payments and money movement in a payments hub can help you win it back!

Report Highlights Include:

  • Discover 10 ways your payment environment is costing you money
  • Meet four fee opportunities you’re missing out on including why >20% of revenues will be derived from non-banking sources
  • See how you can win back “quiet quitter” customers such as the 43% who have a credit card at an institution other than their primary FI

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How to Be a Valuable Partner to Consumers in Difficult Economic Times

How to Be a Valuable Partner to Consumers in Difficult Economic Times Report Cover ImageThis 22-page report from Franklin Madison explains where banks and credit unions can help consumers stand out from the crowd and engender loyalty: by helping them with their financial health and wellness.

This timely research includes:

  • How to create consumer loyalty by partnering on concerns
  • How a financial wellness approach can retain and attract consumers
  • How to meet consumer needs amid uncertainty

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Credit Card Strategy in a Rising Rate Environment

Credit Card Strategy in a Rising Rate Environment Report Cover ImageThis 14-page research report from Elan Credit Card details how financial institutions now need a new card strategy that considers the balance of risk and profitability, technology, card assortment, and financial education.

This timely research includes:

  • Rethinking the credit card product strategy
  • Creating a better product with less risk and more income
  • How economic pressures could pinch profitability

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Make Bill Pay a Consumer Magnet Again

Make Bill Pay a Consumer Magnet Again Report Cover ImageThis 16-page research report from Paymentus analyzes the current bill pay experience for most financial institutions, and how improving this experience can transform bill pay into a personal finance tool for your customers.

In this report you will discover how to use bill pay to:

  • Transform bill pay into a personal finance tool
  • Create loyal customers
  • Expand revenue-driving opportunities

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Stellar Strategic Planning Advice From 10 Changemakers in Banking and Technology

Stellar Strategic Planning Advice From 10 Changemakers in Banking and Technology Report Cover ImageTo learn more about how banks can prepare for 2023, Nymbus spoke with ten industry leaders about how they approach strategic planning and what banking executives should plan for in the coming year. This 27-page report details their thoughts and guidance on how financial institutions should approach their strategic plans for 2023.

In this report you will discover:

  • How to create a companywide culture of innovation
  • Tips to improve customer retention
  • How to think like a “brand,” not a bank

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Loan Payments: A Hidden Opportunity

Loan Payments: A Hidden Opportunity Report Cover ImageThis insightful and timely report from Paymentus details where banks and credit unions fall short of consumer expectations, and more importantly: strategies to combat this shortfall.

In this report you will discover:

  • An in-depth look at today’s modern borrower
  • The must-haves for a satisfying loan repayment experience
  • Five strategies to maximize your loan payment modernization

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From Prospect to Evangelist: Retail Banking Text and Webchat Strategies

From Prospect to Evangelist: Retail Banking Text and Webchat Strategies Report Cover ImageThis 30-page report from Podium takes a look at the modern banking customer and how banks and credit unions must up their customer experience game to attract, convert and retain them.

In this report you will discover:

  • A snapshot of the modern banking consumer
  • Why good customer service doesn’t guarantee a good customer experience
  • Text and webchat engagement strategies that convert customers

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Deepen Relationships with Small Business Customers

Deepen Relationships with Small Business Customers Report Cover ImageThis report from Bottomline features insights from Aite-Novarica Group and details how banks and credit unions can provide SMB customers with a best-in-class digital banking experience and the opportunity it brings.

In this report you will discover:

  • How even big banks with massive tech budgets are perceived as lagging behind in meeting the needs of small businesses
  • Gen Z and Millennial business owners want a different business banking experience than previous generations.
  • What financial institutions can provide that their small business clients are asking for

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Getting the Most Out of Marketing Automation

Getting the Most Out of Marketing Automation Report Cover ImageThis 17-page research report from Act-On outlines how FIs can overcome marketing automation challenges with technology, process, and people.

In this report you will discover:

  • 3 secrets to getting the most out of your marketing automation
  • How to use data for segmentation and personalization
  • How to integrate your marketing system with your CRM

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How to Get the Insights You Needed Yesterday… and Avoid Pitfalls Along the Way

How to Get the Insights You Needed Yesterday Report Cover ImageThis 19-page research report from Amperity and Microsoft dives into how FI’s should start comparing their user experience to big technology firms such as Google and Netflix.

In this report you will discover:

  • Which financial institutions do you benchmark your customer or member experience against?
  • Why data modernization is worth it
  • Why you can’t put off data modernization any longer

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Niching Down

Niching Report Cover ImageThis comprehensive, 22-page report from Nymbus explores that while traditional banking models are being disrupted, banks and credit unions can also find new opportunities.

In this report you will discover:

  • How financial institutions can create new opportunities by launching a financial brand
  • Why financial institutions need to take greater measures to innovate outside of their technology stacks
  • How to identify your market and create a brand with niche products aligned to it

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Automate or Die Hiring

Automate or Die Hiring Report Cover ImageThis comprehensive, must-read report from SMA Technologies includes 16 pages of industry data, trends, analysis, graphs and charts aimed at arming you with what you need to make pressing automation choices now.

In this report you will discover:

  • How automation can drive growth at banks while keeping hiring costs under control
  • How financial institutions increasingly must figure out how to do more with less
  • How financial institutions can overcome the significant IT skills gap

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5 Trends Driving the Digital Banking Landscape

5 Trends Driving the Digital Banking Landscape Report Cover ImageThis 17-page research report from Alkami details why banks and credit unions need a nimble partner that helps them grow confidently and adapt quickly amid unrelenting change.

In this report you will discover:

  • How banking executives setting their institution apart from the competition
  • How banks and credit unions are adapting to the evolving digital landscape
  • Learn how your digital transformation journey stacks up

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Stop Fraud With Inbound Call Authentication Report

Stop Fraud With Inbound Call Authentication Report Cover ImageThis 15-page research report from Neustar, a TransUnion Company, describes how you can use inbound call authentication to provide the experience customers expect without exposing your financial institution to sophisticated fraudsters.

In this report you will discover:

  • Why fraudsters love your call center
  • The benefits of inbound call authentication
  • How to stop fraudsters before they attack

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Insuring Success Report

Insuring Success Report Cover ImageBy offering insurance, banks and credit unions can help people fill in this financial health gap. And guess what? They would gladly purchase insurance from you — their trusted financial institution.

Download this 32-page detailed report from Franklin Madison examining the untapped insurance opportunity for retail financial institutions, the benefits of offering insurance, the resources needed, and the best practices for success.

What You’ll Learn:

  • How insurance can help banks and credit unions can help customers and members fill in financial health gaps
  • Why offering insurance is more compelling than it ever has been before
  • Why there’s never been a better time to offer insurance

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Modern Connectivity Report

Picture of MX's Modern Connectivity Report bookIn today’s digital era where consumers demand integration among their accounts, financial applications and payment platforms, legacy systems can no longer keep pace. That’s where modern connectivity comes in. Download this 23-page, detailed report from MX detailing how modern connectivity, a consumer-permissioned method for data aggregation and enhancement, can help financial institutions share and access customer data in a faster, more reliable and more secure manner.

What You’ll Learn:

  • Why it’s critical to offer customers a more secure and reliable connection to their financial accounts
  • How banks can boost their bottom line with better products and services
  • How to create effortless digital experiences across all applications and devices.

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Creating a Truly Personalized Digital Banking Experience

Picture of Everfi's Personalized Digital Experience in Banking reportWith financial consumers exponentially adopting digital channels, it’s increasingly important for banking providers to deliver the level of customized experiences people now expect. Download this 20-page, data-driven research report from EVERFI exploring how financial marketers can deliver a more personalized experience across digital channels by tailoring interactions based on users’ generational segment and financial goals.

What You’ll Learn:

  • How to deliver a more personalized, customized experience on digital channels
  • How financial goals and desires vary by generation and how to tailor the digital response appropriately
  • How to consider touch points as opportunities to solve issues and remove complications

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Customer Experience Maturity for Financial Institutions

Picture of Total Expert's Quarterly Report bookWhat makes a bank or credit union better at CX? Total Expert wanted to find out, which is why they conducted a survey of over 200 financial institution leaders to understand the maturity of their overall CX, then identify the specific customer engagement strategies that correspond to higher levels of maturity.

What You’ll Learn:

  • What makes a bank or credit union better at CX
  • Which upgrades are taking financial institutions to the next level
  • Which banking products are key for high-performing institutions at CX
  • Why certain decisions will define winners and losers in the CX race

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2021 State of the Financial Marketer

2021 State of the Financial MarketerWhich financial institutions will win and thrive in 2021? Find out in this report from Total Expert, examining how evaluating financial institutions’ overall readiness to deliver on point customer experience.

What You’ll Learn:

  • How banks and credit unions market to consumers
  • How they leverage data throughout marketing and the customer experience
  • The three challenges that most financial institutions are facing
  • Four steps banks and credit unions can use to overcome the key obstacles

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2021 Digital Lending Trends & Priorities

Picture of CUNA Mutual's 2021 Digital Lending Trends & Priorities reportWith new technologies advancing at a breakneck pace, how can traditional lenders keep up? Compounding the problem, financial institutions face mounting pressure from big techs, online challenger banks and digital lendtech competitors encroaching ever deeper into the auto, home and consumer lending marketplace. Download this report from CUNA Mutual Group examining the critical issues facing digital lenders in the year ahead.

What You’ll Learn:

  • Where banking providers are placing their biggest digital bets to win big with borrowers
  • The biggest digital lending challenges and headwinds traditional institutions must overcome
  • Trends and priorities for transforming the digital lending experience

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The Rise of Intelligent CRM in Banking

The Rise of Intelligent CRM in Banking Report CoverDownload In the post-pandemic world, there will be fewer handshakes in branches. To build digital relationships, financial marketers will have to leverage data with new tools and smart technologies. This executive-level study examines the critical role of intelligent CRM tools and the data management solutions do you need to make the shift.

What You’ll Learn:

  • What you need to do to improve CX and drive growth
  • The challenges of sharing data and obtaining a full view of customers
  • The looming ‘engagement gap’ facing smaller banks and credit unions
  • Applying personalization at scale

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Digital Approaches to Financial Education in the COVID-19 Era

Picture of Everfi's Digital Approaches to Financial Education reportHow has the pandemic impacted bank and credit union marketing strategies? Find out how the COVID-19 pandemic and other megatrends have impacted bank marketing strategies — from the importance of digital engagement to the impact of financial education.

What You’ll Learn:

  • The impact of COVID-19 on marketing strategies in the banking space
  • How marketing investments are shifting and where budgets are being reallocated
  • Why digital financial education tools are skyrocketing
  • Insights from a survey of 200 financial institution marketing executives

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The Ultimate Guide to Data, AI, + Personalized Financial Automation

Picture of MX's Ultimate Guide to Data, AI and Personalized Financial Automation reportWhen it comes to data and AI, are you ahead of the curve or behind the times? What can you do to take the lead? This 20-page guide is full of original survey data from banks and credit unions.

What You’ll Learn:

  • How the industry is currently using data
  • What percentage haven’t even started discussions about AI
  • Why companies feel they’re blocked when it comes to data initiatives
  • How you can evolve from being a financial intermediary to being a true financial advocate

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Benchmark Report: A New Path Forward

Picture of Temenos Benchmark reportBenchmark yourself against 195 U.S. banks and credit unions in this report from Temenos. Before you can move ahead in the post-COVID world, you need to understand where you are today.

In This Report:

  • Coronavirus financial health pulse survey
  • Understanding the four stages of growth in banking
  • Critical investments and growth priorities for 2020

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State of the Financial Marketers Report

Picture of TotalExpert's State of the Financial Marketers reportWhat are the challenges facing bank and credit union marketers in the digital age? Find out in this 24-page report from TotalExpert.

What You’ll Learn:

  • How financial marketers are pursuing personalization strategies
  • The struggles financial marketers face with data collection and analytics
  • How financial marketers are trying to humanize their CX

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The World Branch Report

Picture of The World Branch Report bookletWhat’s the future of brick-and-mortar branches? Are they still relevant? Find out in this 60-page report examining the role of branches in the digital-first era.

What You’ll Learn:

  • Current trends impacting branch networks, design and retail strategies in banking
  • Why many banks and credit unions continue to invest in more branches
  • The new tools and emerging concepts financial institutions are rolling out
  • How branches are increasingly transitioning from transactions to interactions

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