PADUCAH, Ky.—Branch optimization will be a key strategic focus among financial institutions during 2015, according to results of an annual survey of banking priorities conducted by Computer Services, Inc. (CSI).
According to the company, the results of this year’s survey, based on the responses of more than 200 bank executives, also identify driving growth and profitability as one of the greatest challenges for financial institutions heading into 2015.
“In fact, the topic emerges throughout the survey, making it a prominent theme for the year,” said the company. “Technology also will be a defining factor in the industry, as financial institutions adopt new platforms and make plans to enhance their mobile and omnichannel banking opportunities”
Among the findings:
- The majority of respondents, 44.6%, identify branch optimization as their strategic focus in 2015. Other areas of strategic focus include mobile check capture, EMV preparedness and mobile banking adoption.
- Seventy-five percent of those surveyed believe that non-traditional services will have either a positive effect or no impact on profitability. With 39.2% of banks reporting that non-traditional services will have a positive impact on their profitability, banks seem to believe that they will have a greater opportunity to participate in such new technology as Apple Pay to better serve their customers.
- Today, bankers remain committed to investing in technology products and services, with a vast majority of respondents, 65.1%, planning to increase their investment in technology versus only 0.5% planning to decrease their investment.