In 2026, AI automation options for community banks won’t just be tools on a wishlist, they’ll be the lifelines leaders use to cut through legacy red tape and customer service lags that have haunted the industry for years. From tired back-office workflows to the constant pressure to speed up digital
Thought Leadership
31 posts
Credit unions are showing rising interest in AI, yet many assume they need fully consolidated data or advanced analytics environments before they can begin. In practice, the earliest wins come from internal workflows that require far less data than expected. Leaders see how AI can strengthen lending review, enhance operational
AI Execution in Mid-Tier Banking is reshaping how regional institutions strengthen workflows, improve decisions, and advance their operational capabilities. Banks in the $10 billion to $250 billion range are already moving through modernization. Many have active AI initiatives in lending efficiency, fraud detection, document intelligence, and operational review. Leaders understand
Old banking cores weren’t built for AI in banking. They weren’t built for real-time anything, honestly. And yet, they’re still the default under the hood of thousands of banks trying to keep up in 2026. The result? Slow rollouts, patchwork integrations, and a whole lot of duct tape holding together
The Bankadelic 2025 Banksgiving Special is the audio stuffing you didn’t know you needed, packed with smart takes, warm moments, and a roast or two of the financial industry’s biggest turkeys. Thanksgiving traffic is crawling, the gas station coffee is burnt, and you’re stuck listening to a playlist that somehow
Community banks should lead with AI to stay relevant, competitive, and connected in a rapidly changing financial landscape. That sentence might feel bold. But it captures a truth that’s becoming more urgent by the day. The world of finance is evolving fast. Customer expectations have shifted. Compliance demands are mounting.
The new GENIUS Act has officially been signed into law. For community banks, this is not just another news story. It is a policy turning point that has been shaped in no small part by the Independent Community Bankers of America, better known as ICBA. With the regulation of payment
The GENIUS Act has officially brought stablecoins under federal regulation. That means the future of digital currency is no longer speculative; it is an active policy. For community banks, this is more than just legislation. It is a loud, clear call to upgrade their tech infrastructure. Because while the law
Artificial intelligence in digital banking is changing how community banks show up for their customers. It’s not just about faster apps or slicker websites. It’s reshaping the heart of how banks understand people, handle risk, and build trust in a world that expects everything now. Community banks don’t always have
The Artificial Intelligence Action Plan dropped from the White House this month, and here at PentEdge, we paid close attention. It is not every day that national policy intersects directly with the technology roadmaps we help build for banks and financial institutions. This new federal push could very well reshape
Onboarding and process automation doesn’t sound thrilling at first blush. It sounds… technical. Cold. Maybe even complicated. But here’s the twist: when it’s done right, it becomes one of the most human things your bank can offer. A predictable and clear way to engage with your customers. Because for most
There has been a recent shift away from SaaS into something called “Services-as-Software” which feels way more in tune with the way we want to do business in an increasingly digital world. Community bankers have always faced unique challenges when it comes to balancing legacy systems, customer service, and the