Independent Banker - January 2025 - 24

PORTFOLIO INNOVATION STATION
The innovations
we'll see in 2025
By Charles Potts, ICBA
hey say the only constant is
change, and 2025 is shaping up
to prove that point. We are in for a
dynamic year, infl uenced by customer
demand, product accessibility and
partner potential. This year:
 We expect wider adoption of
the FedNow Service. After a
couple of years on the market, use
cases are starting to solidify and
become tangible-from earned
wage access to bill pay and more.
 We'll see more community
banks embracing strategic
fi ntech partnerships to increase
digital off erings and operational
effi ciencies.
 We'll establish an increased
focus on maintaining a
customer-centric view to ensure
a stellar customer experience this
year and beyond.
 We anticipate an emphasis on
managing the cost of funds and
developing new innovative deposit
strategies to support the bottom line.
 We predict more attention
for personalized products
and services and mobile
experiences as community
banks look to expand customer
relationships at the digital level.
Of course, there's much more that
the year will bring, and we'll remain
nimble, shifting programming and
solutions to address what emerges.
From the ThinkTECH Accelerator
(see sidebar) to our role in BankTech
Ventures and beyond, our goal is
2025's first ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator
Join our first cohort of the new year as we work through
the technologies community banks need to flourish. This
cohort includes companies seeking to support community
banks in their digital transformation journeys for improved
operational eff iciencies, reduced risk exposure and enhanced
customer interactions.
ICBA members are invited to sign up for banker visits during the
Accelerator program-scheduled for Jan. 13 to March 6-to help
shape the future of community bank innovation. To learn more and
join us, complete the form at icba.org/innovation
T
to continue to fuel the community
bank innovation pipeline with the
companies that you need to address
growing challenges and opportunities.
To that point, education continues
to be critically important to embracing
the full extent of today's technology.
This is the year to roll up your sleeves
and embrace ways to advance your
solutions-and ICBA Innovation will
off er new opportunities to do just that.
Watch out for news on programs that
will help you combine theoretical and
practical hands-on engagement for
your innovation journey.
In the meantime, make sure you're
at ICBA LIVE, March 11-14, in
Nashville, Tenn. You'll get the latest
on our innovation eff orts, meet with
fi ntechs geared toward your needs
and learn more about what digital
transformation can do for your bank.
In this year of change, you need to
be armed with the new ideas that can
take your off erings to the next level,
and ICBA Innovation is your partner in
ensuring success.
Charles Potts (charles.potts@icba.
org) is ICBA executive vice president
and chief innovation off icer.
24 // ICBA Independent Banker // January 2025
Image by Jakub Krechowicz/Adobe
http://www.icba.org/innovation
Independent Banker - January 2025

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Independent Banker - January 2025
