A new core system is a significant financial investment and time commitment. Finding the right core partnership to meet your bank’s needs takes time to research and vet the options. Gilmer National Bank started exploring their core options when they realized their current provider was not adapting to the changing climate and not making the updates needed for the bank to grow their business. They took IBT Apps through their vendor management process, and we learned, from being on the vendor side, what it takes for a community bank to secure the right core partnership. The information below serves as a firsthand account of vendor management in action using Gilmer National Bank’s story.
IBT Apps recently launched the Banker Protection Program to assist community banks in looking for a core option that aligns with their “new normal.” We have received a few questions over the last few weeks and would like to share these with fellow community bankers looking for more information on the program.
The impact of COVID-19 has caused many of us to rethink how we do business in order to overcome the “new normal’s” ongoing challenges. For a community bank to survive the uneven road ahead, it must ensure that its core technology can adapt to the ever-changing climate.
Your staff is focused on processing PPP loans provided through the CARES Act and working diligently to support your community. In a time like this, your bank can’t afford to experience service disruptions that can potentially cost time, money, and your reputation. Should your system be compromised or experience a shutdown, you need to know how you will be impacted and how your vendor will respond to help you recover. You need to be assured that your core vendor has a strong business continuity plan in place. Getting peace of mind from them just won’t cut it.
Every core vendor will feature a laundry list of benefits on their website or brochure. They’ll save you money. You’ll beat the competition. But, are there any benefits that particularly stand out?
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, we want to let you know that IBT Apps® has comprehensive plans in place to protect our staff, clients, and partners.
Whether you’re exploring a new core solution or are narrowing down your selection for a new core provider, there are critical conversations that need to happen with a potential vendor prior to moving forward. Asking the right questions upfront will help you understand the ins and outs of the new partnership and fill in any gaps in communication before finalizing the contract. More importantly, having these much-needed conversations will protect your bank in the long-term.
Shopping for a new core involves so many details. The cost, the timeline, and even the vendor’s reputation can influence your purchasing decision, but there’s more to it. In fact, there are a few different layers to peel through to make sure you find the right core partner that fits your business’ needs.
That’s why we created a great guide for community bankers with discussion points to lead conversations with new core vendors during the due diligence process. We won’t cover the entire list in this post, but will touch on one of the most critical items: meeting the entire vendor’s team prior to signing any contracts.