Michael Bernard
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Articles by Michael Bernard
Conversational Banking: Understand & Act
In response to bank client conversations regarding the myriad terms referring to conversation-related client engagement, Celent has compiled this report with a twofold objective. First to help our clients fully understand conversational banking and its implications. Second to enable our clients to hone a strategic and technological response.
Dimensions: Latin America Retail Banking IT Pressures & Priorities 2025
With adoption of digital payments increasing across much of Latin America (LATAM), fueled by a growing ecosystem of non-bank digital financial services and forward-thinking regulatory frameworks, Celent sees an updated set of priorities and technology investment choices in this year’s Dimensions research. Challenges to further digitization remain, varying widely by country, resulting in different priorities and plans for future investment by banks across the region.
Start 2026 With a Model Bank Nomination
Looking to get ahead of the new year? We invite you to share your story of banking innovation from the past year or two, because we'd be thrilled to recognize your institution as a 2026 Celent Model Bank, our most prestigious award. As analysts, we get excited this time of year to learn about so much innovation all at once, and I hope you'll be a part of that. December is a great time to submit a Model Bank Award nomination with Celent.
Becoming A Model Award Winner: Capital Markets
Celent’s annual awards recognize financial institutions that exemplify best practices in the use of technology and celebrates technological excellence within the financial services industry. For firms in the capital markets industry, the Buy Side award recognizes best practices of technology usage in the portfolio management and trade execution life cycle within the management of institutionally held assets.
Becoming a Celent Model Bank
Would you or your clients like to win a Celent Model Bank award? Celent describes its Model Bank Award process and shares tips on crafting a compelling entry. For 20 years, Celent has spotlighted the most innovative use of technology in banking. Model Bank, Celent’s marquee recognition, is awarded for best practices of technology usage in different areas critical to success in banking. This is Celent's definitive guide to fielding a competitive nomination.
Small Business Digital Banking Platforms: Latin America Edition
Digital banking platform (DBP) capability has evolved significantly since Celent's 2022 vendor comparison. First, some leading functionality then has become table stakes today. Second, Celent finds new areas of differentiation emerging, including new models that represent a clear divergence from the offerings of just two years ago. As a result, choosing a new DBP today will be far more impactful on a financial institution’s (FI) future success than in years past.
Retail Digital Banking Platforms - Latin America Edition
Digital banking platform (DBP) capability has evolved significantly since Celent's 2022 vendor comparison. First, some leading functionality then has become table stakes today. Second, Celent finds new areas of differentiation emerging, including new models that represent a clear divergence from the offerings of just two years ago. As a result, choosing a new DBP today will be far more impactful on a financial institution’s (FI) future success than in years past.
US Large Banks Achieving Virtuous Tech Investment Circle
Large US retail banks are realizing tech-driven efficiency gains, with more to come from AI. There were many positives for the largest US banks to report this summer. Sustained consumer strength, increased digital engagement, and in many cases, continued expense reductions, all led to generally strong earnings reports for the second quarter. But challenges remain: Interest rates are still “high-ish” and in a holding pattern, putting pressure on deposit costs.
Announcing the Celent Model Bank 2025 Award Winners
The Celent Model Bank Awards Program is globally recognized, highlighting the most innovative initiatives across retail and corporate banking worldwide. Today, at our Innovation & Insight Day, we announced our 2025 Model Banks and published a full set of case studies and analyst-led highlight clips for each Model Bank. Our 2025 Model Bank of the Year, J.P Morgan, is also profiled in an extensive case study. Celent clients can access all full-length case studies.
Innovation in Banking and Payments, 2025
Leading institutions have leveraged advanced technology, modernized their foundation and platforms, and delivered significantly enhanced customer propositions over the past year. Taking insights from our Model Bank program this year, Celent sees the most successful banks mastering the innovation formula, to deliver the next era of digital experiences. During Celent's Innovation & Insight Day on June 18th, we welcomed a wide audience and our team of banking analysts discussed these themes in depth.
Small Business Digital Banking Platforms: Europe, Middle East, Africa Edition
Digital banking platform (DBP) capability has evolved significantly since Celent's 2022 vendor comparison. First, some leading functionality then has become table stakes today. Second, Celent finds new areas of differentiation emerging, including new models that represent a clear divergence from the offerings of just two years ago. As a result, choosing a new DBP today will be far more impactful on a financial institution’s future success than in years past.
Small Business Digital Banking Platforms: North America Edition - Solutions for Community Financial Institutions
Digital banking platform (DBP) capability has evolved significantly since Celent's 2022 vendor comparison. First, some leading functionality then has become table stakes today. Second, Celent finds new areas of differentiation emerging, including new models that represent a clear divergence from the offerings of just two years ago. As a result, choosing a new DBP today will be far more impactful on a financial institution’s (FI) future success than in years past.
Small Business Digital Banking Platforms: North America Edition Solutions for Mid-sized to Large Banks
Digital banking platform (DBP) capability has evolved significantly since Celent's 2022 vendor comparison. First, some leading functionality then has become table stakes today. Second, Celent finds new areas of differentiation emerging, including new models that represent a clear divergence from the offerings of just two years ago. As a result, choosing a new DBP today will be far more impactful on a financial institution’s (FI) future success than in years past.
Decoding Retail Digital Banking Platforms
6 March 2025 Spotlighting Functionality and Technology Innovation This is the preamble report to our series, Retail Digital Banking Platforms: 2025 XCelent Awards, Powered by VendorMatch. Powerful market and technology forces are converging to influence the digital channel strategies of financial institutions. Digital banking platform (DBP) vendors are responding with innovative new offerings to meet these needs.
Decoding Small Business Digital Banking Platforms
5 March 2025 Spotlighting Functionality and Technology Innovation As we undertake extensive research on digital banking platforms, we have compiled this preamble report to our series, Small Business Digital Banking Platforms: 2025 XCelent Awards, Powered by VendorMatch. Forces similar to those impacting retail digital banking are converging to set a new bar in small business digital banking. Digital banking platform (DBP) vendors are responding with innovative new offerings to meet these needs.
Decoding Retail Digital Banking Platforms
This is the preamble report to our series, Retail Digital Banking Platforms: 2025 XCelent Awards, Powered by VendorMatch. Powerful market and technology forces are converging to influence the digital channel strategies of financial institutions. Digital banking platform (DBP) vendors are responding with innovative new offerings to meet these needs. Choosing a new DBP today will be far more impactful on an institution’s future success than in years past.
The Pulse of Retail Debt Collections, 2025
25 November 2024 Insights from a US Industry Survey: Challenges and opportunities for data acquisition, enhancing consumer engagement, and increasing automation, and Consumer Engagement What are the current loan collections industry paint points, business challenges, and technology needs? How might those challenges differ between first party and third-party collections organizations? What are the industry’s expected investment priorities in the next year?
Transforming Digital Banking at Fifth Third Bank with AWS
25 November 2024 A Celent Case Study Celent analyzes a digital transformation. Fifth Third Bank adopted an agile mindset and modernized its internal architecture, positioning the bank to innovate rapidly and setting up a significant competitive advantage. Key components of modernization include the adoption of cloud technology from Amazon Web Services (AWS), shifting software development efforts toward microservices delivery, and a restructuring of the product organization.
Top Technology Trends Previsory: Retail Banking, 2025 Edition
19 November 2024 2025 will be another year of change and opportunity for retail banking. Technology budgets are expected to increase by over 5% on average, as institutions look to push ahead in unlocking efficiency improvements across their estates, while also delivering enhanced products and experiences to customers.
As Summer Ends, the ‘Age of Summaries’ Begins
Summaries, summaries, everywhere. Generative AI is enhancing consumer experiences by providing quick, insightful summaries within many commonly used digital products. As summarization becomes a popular mainstream tech feature, banking leaders must adapt to this new 'Age of Summaries' to enhance both customer engagement and employee efficiency. Consumers are beginning to expect summarization. Generative AI is settling into the mainstream consumer experience.
Midlands Mugshots September 10
MAGISTRATE/MUNICIPAL COURT BENCH WARRANT DRUGS/TRAFFIC METH. OR COCAINE BASE >=10G <28G 3RD OR SUB OF DRUGS/TRAFFICK METH. OR COCAINE BASE >=28G BUT <100G 3RD/SUB DRUGS / TRAFFICK COCAINE, > 28G BUT < 100G, 3RD OR SUBS DRUGS / MANUFACTURE, DISTRIBUTION, ETC. OF COCAINE BASE, 1ST DRUGS/MANUF, POSS. OTHER SUB. IN SCH. I, II, III OR FLZM 2ND WEAPONS / POSS. WEAPON DURING VIOLENT CRIME, IF NOT ALSO SEN FIREARMS / POSS. OF FIREARM OR AMMUNITION BY PERSON CONVICT
Dimensions: Latin America Banking IT Pressures & Priorities in 2024
20 August 2024 Seeking Internal Agility to Deliver for Customers What priorities are driving technology strategy for banks in LATAM for the year ahead? What are the leading product and technology investment areas? How much focus are banks putting on Open Banking, Gen AI, BaaS and Embedded Finance?
CrowdStrike Takeaway: How All Banks Can Manage Digital Channel Outages
Digital leaders play a key role in coordinating responses to unplanned outages in the digital channel. The recent global CrowdStrike disruption is the latest reminder that all banks should have solid disruption/response strategies and best practices ready to execute under adverse conditions. Bank leaders should refocus and perhaps improve their customer and internal communications strategies.
From Legacy to Innovation: Building an All-Digital Bank
11 June 2024 Considerations, Strategies, and Technology Approaches for Traditional Institutions Traditional banks and credit unions are increasingly launching new, digital-only brands. Standing up a modern digital-first version of the bank can provide many advantages and it’s an understandably attractive strategy for FIs who want to reach new customer markets but struggle with poor digital offerings and legacy technical debt.
The Value of Digital Engagement At Large US Banks
High-for-longer prime interest rates and a cooling loan market have made deposit costs, retention, and net interest margin (NIM) some of the biggest strategic challenges for US banks this year. Banks say they are paying more to retain deposits and that profits could suffer.
Personal Financial Engagement Solutions for Retail Banking
9 May 2024 A Profile of Solutions to Move Beyond PFM Retail financial institutions are quickly realizing that customer engagement isn't just good business, it's increasingly how banks are delivering value to their customers. Done well, each customer interaction cements the value of the customer’s bank relationship in their minds.
The Mint Shutdown is One of Three Reasons for Banks to Rethink PFM
Retail banks and credit unions should revisit the opportunity for investing in personal financial tools and features. The recent sunsetting of Intuit’s long-popular Mint digital personal financial management services was a catalyst in the industry for frenetic discussion around the future, or demise, of PFM.
Bank of America: Unified Mobile App Experience
21 March 2024 Winner of the 2024 Celent Model Bank Award for Customer Centered Innovation Bank of America knew their customers wanted a single mobile experience across product lines to more easily manage their finances and multiple account relationships. At the same time, the bank saw the opportunity to introduce a wider audience of existing customers to its full-bank offering.
Announcing the Celent Model Bank 2024 Award Winners
21 March 2024 Now in its 18th year, the Celent Model Bank Awards Program is globally recognized, highlighting the most innovative initiatives across retail and corporate banking worldwide. Today, at our Innovation & Insight Day, we announced our 2024 Model Banks and published a full set of case studies and pre-recorded interviews with the institution leaders closest to work.
Innovation in Banking and Payments 2024
21 March 2024 A Snapshot Through the Lens of Model Bank Accelerating to a competitive advantage: Future success in retail and commercial banking rests on achieving greater speed and agility by mastering the new set of transformative technologies, such as cloud, open banking ecosystems, and Generative AI. During our Innovation & Insight Day on March 21st, we welcomed a wide audience and discussed these themes in depth.
BMO: Conversion and Migration of Bank of the West Customers
20 March 2024 Winner of the 2024 Celent Model Bank Award for Integration Excellence Bank of Montreal (BMO) completed the acquisition of Bank of the West in February 2023 and converted and migrated almost two million customer relationships in September. The core and digital platform integration was completed eight months after Legal Day 1 (first day of legal ownership) without significant production problems or delays.
Model Bank 2024: A Look Ahead
Celent is hosting its annual Innovation and Insight Day on March 21st, where we will announce our 2024 Celent Model Bank Award winners. The event will include several newly published case studies of institutions achieving greater speed, agility, and competitive advantage by mastering the new set of transformative technologies, such as cloud, open banking ecosystems, and Generative AI.
Time is Money: A Simple Way for Banks to Track the Value of Highly Available Digital Channels | Celent
14 July 2023 Every minute of every day, the digital channel is providing value for a financial institution. A day in the digital channel at a mid-sized US bank might include over 2,000 mobile deposits, more than 80,000 mobile logins, and upwards of 50,000 money-moving transactions. Any system outage is extremely damaging to transaction flow and customer experience. But what is the value of one additional hour of platform availability?
Deposits, Competition, & Digital: Where Big U.S. Banks Are Focused Now
12 May 2023 Summarizing the public first quarter presentations by the largest US banks through a digital strategy lens Abstract In March, two mid-sized US bank failures in rapid succession prompted a re-focus on deposit stability and retention and created a new appreciation of risks such as consumer yield sensitivity and large-scale instantaneous money movement enabled by digital banking.
F.N.B. Corporation: EStore® Connects Branch And Digital Experiences
29 March 2023 Winner of Celent Model Bank 2023 Award for Omnichannel Retail Delivery Abstract With eStore®, First National Bank provides a unique and creatively designed platform that allows customers to compare available products and services, open accounts, apply for loans, schedule an appointment with a banker, and access financial education resources—all in one place, from whatever channel they choose.
Visions Federal Credit Union: Humanizing Customer Connections
29 March 2023 Winner of Celent Model Bank 2023 Award for Customer Engagement Abstract One message does not fit all visitors to a financial institution’s website. Visions Federal Credit Union recognized this and has implemented a personalized digital content experience with almost immediate bottom-line results after a short implementation ramp.
Foldable Devices and A.R. Glasses: Future Customer Interfaces for Banking?
Celent is keeping an eye on the emerging consumer tech that might provide new ways for banks and service providers to engage with digital customers. It’s helpful to review what came out of Mobile World Congress (MWC), the year’s largest device and hardware showcase, held last month in Barcelona. On display were the latest smartphones and wearables from major suppliers in the US and Global markets.
Tech Worker Layoffs – Should Banks be Recruiting? | Celent
3 February 2023 Savvy banking leaders can look at the ongoing “big tech” and fintech layoffs as an opportunity to recruit talented and highly experienced new team members. Hiring managers should think more broadly about their talent acquisition strategy in 2023 and consider the attractiveness of their bank to the newly available tech talent pool, and in doing so add value to their organizations.
Master-planned North Van community offers wide range of home types
Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'We are able to offer something for everyone,' said sales director Erin Towns Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.
1515 Rupert: North Shore townhouse project features 'timeless architecture'
Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 1515 Rupert is a new development by Areva Living Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.
Mission Group reimagines luxury in final Aqua phase
Boat club the crown jewel of numerous amenities on offer at Kelowna waterfront project Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.
Kelowna condos meld lake views with walkability
Skywater at Movala features two concrete towers of 10 and 14-storeys that sit on a three-storey parking podium. Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Article content Recent interest rate hikes have slowed real estate sales in most British Columbia communities.
Frame development offers prime Vancouver location and mix of suite sizes
The project consists of 217 homes in two 10-storey concrete buildings joined by a podium Frame will offer 217 homes in two 10-storey concrete buildings joined by a podium, accessible to downtown Vancouver and Metrotown. Photo by Supplied /PNG Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.
Bowen Island master-planned community offers appeal to remote workers
Arbutus Ridge is a phased development of 34 residential lots set in an 83-acre development Arbutus Ridge is located on the west side of Bowen Island, with lots offering plenty of privacy and about half of the development dedicated to park and farmland. Photo by Supplied /PNG Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.
Prima: Richmond development ticks all the boxes for empty nesters
Walk through the offerings at Prima, a 101-unit project in Richmond Prima in Richmond is a 15-storey highrise that features homes ranging from one bedroom to three bedroom-and-den. Photo by Supplied /PNG Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.
Boutique Westside townhouse project 'better than a single-family home'
Seasons, a development by Sightline Properties, is a collection of 19 three-to-four bedroom townhomes Yamamoto Architecture designed Seasons, a boutique townhouse project by Sightline Properties. Photo by Supplied /PNG Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.
Concord’s Metrotown development offers community connections, wealth of amenities
When completed in 2026, the 65-storey tower will be the tallest residential structure in Western Canada Homes at Concord's Metrotown Grand Tower will have views of the North Shore Mountains, the water to the west and Mount Baker to the south. PNG Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.
With Hudson 8, boutique developer creates multiple homes where only one once stood
KiND Development Group's Rob Chetner is building housing that creates homes for at least eight families in the South Granville neighbourhood. Author of the article: Michael Bernard Hudson 8, by Chetner’s KiND Development Group, managed to preserve some of the features of a heritage home while creating three new homes within the shell of the one that existed before. PNG Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected.
Pure designed with work-from-home flexibility in mind
Lavern Developments has incorporated seven sleek-looking glass and steel pods to serve as a compact alternative for everything from video meetings to quiet time Author of the article: Michael Bernard Pure, by Lavern Developments, is a group of 92 one, two and three bedroom wood-frame condominium apartments and two-level concrete townhomes to rise at 49th and Columbia St., in Vancouver.
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