Digital Transformation Core banking Digital banking Platform Modernisation

Unlocking agility through core banking transformation

Modernising legacy core banking systems is crucial for financial institutions aiming to remain agile and responsive to customer needs.

18 September 2024

A group of professionals collaborating during a strategic meeting, with a focus on core banking transformation and digital agility. The image features dynamic lighting effects and a modern office setting. — Discover how GFT helps financial institutions unlock agility through core banking transformation. This image illustrates a collaborative team meeting, showcasing GFT's expertise in driving digital innovation and agile solutions in the banking sector.

Patricia Castellón

Global Sector Marketing Manager, Retail Banking and Insurance

Reading time

min

Many banks have invested significantly in enhancing their end-user experiences to meet evolving customer expectations. However, their progress has been hindered by the constraints of outdated back-end systems. As a result, an increasing number of banks are looking to modernise their core systems. Amongst the choices offered to them, Thought Machine’s Vault Core has earned a reputation as a reliable cloud-native core banking platform offering the flexibility and scalability needed to launch innovative features and products quickly and efficiently.

As an established partner of Thought Machine, we’ve gathered together some of the key points we’ve learned from a wide range of implementations, to help you ensure that the move to this cloud-native core banking platform brings a real competitive advantage.

1. Identify the drivers for change

Before embarking on a modernisation journey, it’s essential to understand the key drivers. These often include the need for flexibility, reduced maintenance costs, and better integration with modern fintech ecosystems.

2. Leverage Thought Machine’s ecosystem

Thought Machine’s Vault Core provides a cloud-native platform that integrates seamlessly with other systems using APIs. This modular approach offers scalability and innovation, allowing banks to connect with other best-in-class systems and meet changing market needs swiftly.

3. Consider the possibilities offered by modernisation

Modernisation opens up new possibilities. Banks can introduce innovative products with faster time-to-market and enhanced capabilities, can introduce innovative products, engage new markets, and leverage data more effectively.

4. Approach the implementation beyond technical aspects

Core banking modernisation is not just a technical project; it’s a strategic initiative. Involve departments like compliance, finance, and marketing early to align the project with broader business goals and ensure regulatory compliance.

5. Create a target architecture

Adopting a modern architecture is key. Transitioning to a microservices-based system, with clearly defined layers, ensures a maintainable, scalable, and secure banking infrastructure.

6. Split your business into domains

Using Domain-Driven Design (DDD) to split business functionalities into Bounded Contexts enhances the effectiveness of microservices. This approach allows for independent development and scaling of different banking operations.

7. Define standards and metrics

Establishing clear standards and metrics is crucial for consistent progress and quality control. This includes guidelines for development and metrics to track cost reduction, customer satisfaction, and time-to-market improvements.

8. Use proofs of concept to assess vendor suitability

A Proof of Concept (PoC) allows you to test vendor capabilities before full-scale implementation. This step helps mitigate risks and ensures the chosen solution aligns with your business needs.

9. Document ongoing modernisation

Continuous documentation is vital for the success of modernisation. It ensures that changes are well-tracked and understood, preventing future operational issues and helping to attract new talent.

With five core banking Centres of Excellence and over 220 experts certified in Vault, our strong partnership with Thought Machine uniquely positions GFT to support your core banking transformation. Download our eBook ‘Implementing Vault Core: 9 key insights for project success” to get a better understanding of how to build a robust, future-ready system that meets the demands of today and tomorrow.