DCI’s 2024 Year in Banking Wrapped

2024 in banking was full of transformation, growth, and resilience, but was not without its significant challenges. Shake-ups at the hands of larger players, like high-profile acquisitions leading to broken contracts, left many community banks caught between a rock and a hard place. But for DCI, this provided an opportunity to further practice what we preach, and meet community banks where they need us most.

It’s Called Doing the Right Thing

When our phones started ringing off the hook with literal calls to action from distressed bankers, it didn’t matter that these were not yet DCI customers who had been impacted. What mattered was that community bankers were in trouble, and we had the resources, legal advice, and advocates to help. So we did.

Our dedicated teams in implementation and education rose to the occasion. They came together to get banks taken care of under tight timelines, and onboarded banks to DCI’s core with the same integrity, efficiency, and collaboration as always.

“The strength and success of our internal team shows what true collaboration and commitment to customers can accomplish,” says Sarah Fankhauser, President and CEO of DCI. “Everyone at DCI played a role in driving customer success this year, and we couldn’t be prouder of the results we’ve achieved together.”

Growth for DCI and Partners: The “Banking Differently” Approach

Despite the external pressures, 2024 was a year of continued growth and success for DCI and its banking partners. Just as we met our targets and then some, we saw many of our banking customers acquire other banks, merge with other institutions, and grow exponentially. Now, heading into 2025 with even more activity, this success is largely marked by embracing the operational shift we call “banking differently.”

A major theme of 2024 for DCI, “banking differently” is about navigating a fast-changing industry through a consistent source of truth: your data. Knowing your bank’s data and leveraging it to make informed decisions about the way you market, process, and operate is the key to banking differently.

Living our own message, in 2024 DCI departments each leveraged their data to guide their decisions, refine their process, and drive results which speak for themselves. DCI celebrated a record year in sales thanks to more efficient operations, smarter growth strategies, and a deeper connection to the communities we serve.

Fintech and BaaS: The Direct to Bank Model

Additionally, part of the growth we’ve seen this year is thanks to our evolving Fintech offerings. The landscape for Fintechs and BaaS has changed rapidly, and persistent issues around reconciliation between banks and middleware came to the forefront in 2024, with lack of compliance leading to a growing number of consent orders.

Through a direct-to-bank model, DCI bypasses these shortcomings and leverages its open architecture database to provide seamless, compliant, real-time integrations that eliminate costly and inefficient middleware.

Excitingly, 2024 proved both Fintechs and banks save time and money with this approach, and with banks in control of what they can make and spend, more streamlined and empowered partnerships are formed.

True Partnerships

A key takeaway from this last year, then, is the undeniable power of integrity.

2024 demonstrated the strong, lasting relationships that come from consistency, honesty, and transparency. And where today’s banks face unprecedented challenges from bad actors, choosing the right partnership is especially crucial. Because when you can trust your provider to have your community bank’s best interest at heart, you can navigate a complex industry with more confidence than ever, and thrive.

Looking Ahead to 2025

As we kick off 2025, we know this year will be one of opportunity for community bankers. Already seeing a surge of growth in digital branches, more banks are embracing Fintech solutions that integrate into customers’ everyday lives. It’s actually shaping up to be the year for community banks looking to grow and reach consumers in new ways.

“2025 is the year for the good, solid community bank to grow if they want to,” says Tanna Faulkner, DCI’s SVP of Sales & Digital Channels. “With more and more banks embracing Fintech, all it takes is the right partner to help them thrive. DCI is fully prepared to support them, this year and every year after that.”