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Core, digital, payment, and ancillary solution decisions have traditionally been viewed as technology projects. Financial institutions often begin the process by comparing platforms, reviewing demonstrations, examining features, and negotiating with vendors. However, as banking continues to evolve through artificial intelligence, fintech innovation, open architectures, regulatory expectations, and changing customer demands, technology decisions have become much more than IT initiatives. Technology now influences nearly every aspect of an institution’s future, from customer experience and operational efficiency to product innovation, risk management, and long-term competitiveness. This shift has created a need for a more strategic approach, one that begins with understanding an institution’s goals before considering any technology solution. This perspective defines ICI Consulting. Rather than positioning core, digital, payment, and ancillary banking evaluations as a search for the newest platform or the most recognized vendor, the company approaches each engagement as a structured decision-making process designed to help banks and credit unions make informed choices aligned with their unique objectives.
Payment and Card
Alex Carriles, Executive Vice President and Chief Digital Officer, Simmons Bank
Core Banking
Sandra Williams, Senior Vice President, Senior Credit Officer, Liberty Bank - CT
Core Banking
Judson Stanion, Managing Director - Capital Markets, and Jessica Gardner, Chief Marketing Officer, Academy Bank
Payment and Card
Jerry Duan, Senior Vice President, Director of Credit Risk Models,United Community Bank
Payment and Card
Michael Noftsger, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Forcht Bank
Banking AI
Alison McGuigan, Director of Enterprise Quality Assurance, Golden 1 Credit Union
Banking AI
Marc Butterfield, Sr. Vice President, First National Bank of Omaha
Banking Analytics
Stephanie McClendon, Chief of Community Banking, First Federal Bank
Retail Banking
Shari Kruzinski, Executive Vice President, Chief Consumer Banking Officer, WSFS Bank
Modern expense reporting apps improve accuracy, automation, compliance, visibility, and financial efficiency.
Intelligent payment processing systems reduce payment failures through automation, smart routing, seamless integration and adaptable workflows, improving customer experience and payment success.
Rethinking Banking Technology Through Strategy And Trust
Our cover story, ICI Consulting, named Top Core Banking Consultants 2026, reflects this change through a vendor-neutral approach to core, digital, payment and ancillary technology decisions. Rather than beginning with products, ICI starts by understanding an institution’s strategy, business drivers, organizational needs and growth objectives. Its structured evaluations draw on proprietary data, industry knowledge and AI•IQ™ to compare solutions, identify risks and assess total cost of ownership.
The broader perspective is reinforced by the issue’s focus on how banks can make technology more relevant to the people they serve. At Simmons Bank, Alex Carriles, Executive Vice President and Chief Digital Officer, challenges banks to move beyond simply steering customers toward lower-cost digital channels. His analysis of the “Digital Paradox” calls for more thoughtful segmentation, end-to-end user experiences and digital services designed around the preferences of different customer groups.
At WSFS Bank, Shari Kruzinski, Executive Vice President and Chief Consumer Banking Officer, emphasizes that technology should strengthen relationships rather than replace them. She points to a need for a service that combines digital ease and personalization with personalized advice, fraud protection and a responsive human layer.
Together, these perspectives point to a clear direction for banking technology leadership. The institutions best positioned for the future will be those that connect technology choices to business purpose and customer trust. We invite readers to explore these insights and consider what thoughtful technology strategy can deliver next.
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