To thrive in this next era, financial institutions need to deliver more than digital access. They need a strategic focus rooted in anticipation.

Regional and community financial institutions (RCFIs) are well positioned to meet this moment.

For generations, regional and community banks and credit unions have been the financial heartbeat of their communities. Building trust by knowing their customers and members, and providing them the right support at the right time. 

The industry’s latest evolution is being brought about by the intergenerational wealth transfer, technology’s rapid innovation, and account holder expectations as they navigate journeys in the digital channels. All of which are fundamentally reshaping how banks and credit unions can effectively attract and retain account holders.

Behavioral research data reveals that digital banking Americans consider their primary financial institution provider the most significant because it is where they do most of their online or mobile banking, and use their debit card. These digital channels are becoming the most significant delivery vehicles when it comes to successful business growth and earned loyalty, 

With banking consumers’ increasing reliance on these channels, and their growing comfort with artificial intelligence (findings consistent across multiple studies conducted by Alkami in recent years*) delivering excellent digital sales and service, and anticipating account holders’ needs before they are expressed through Anticipatory Banking will be the foundation for the next era of relationship banking. 

Anticipatory Banking is the next evolution of relationship banking

Already adept at relationship banking, RCFIs are now pivoting focus towards successfully building a digital twin of their in-branch services, essentially expanding operations to a 24/7/365 model. By combining forces with modern digital capabilities, they are able to reinforce person-to-person interactions with intuitively designed online experiences, and data-informed marketing automation that feels both personal and proactive. 

This is where the vision of Anticipatory Banking comes into play—a modern approach that empowers institutions to not only keep pace with shifting expectations, but to stay a step ahead of them.

Using unified data, real-time insights, and intelligent technology, banks and credit unions can predict and meet account holder needs before they’re expressed. This vision empowers institutions of all sizes to earn deeper trust, deliver personalization at scale, and drive long-term loyalty.

The role of a digital sales and service platform

At the foundation of Alkami’s Anticipatory Banking vision is our Digital Sales & Service Platform. A platform purpose built for Anticipatory Banking that integrates Onboarding & Account Opening, Digital Banking, and Data & Marketing functions. 

By consolidating these capabilities, institutions can:

• Onboard faster with fast, frictionless account opening experiences, both digitally and in-person.
• Engage intelligently with outstanding user experience, personalization, and proactivity built in.
• Grow relationships with relevant full funnel marketing offers powered by Predictive AI and Data Insights.
• Guard what matters most with seamless, layered fraud prevention designed for both retail accounts and businesses.
  

This unified platform enables financial institutions to nail the first impression, compete effectively with megabanks and fintechs, and turn moments into momentum.

The Path Forward

By embracing Anticipatory Banking and leveraging a unified platform, like Alkami’s Digital Sales & Service Platform, financial institutions can transform from transactional providers into proactive growth partners—delivering outcomes that matter for both account holders and the institution.