Foreign banks for years have been using technology that folds several communication and information-sharing capabilities into one platform. Now Citigroup and others here are showing interest because of the growing importance of digital in the pandemic.

Over the past year, the Alabama bank has been developing new tools that analyze survey responses, phone interactions and social media posts to identify opportunities to improve digital offerings.

Bank of America is applying a familiar arsenal — including APIs and its popular virtual assistant, Erica — to online business banking, cross-border payments and cash management in an effort to modernize those services.

Mobile and online banking technologies that the Toronto bank previously rolled out, including a virtual assistant developed by Kasisto and money management tools made by Moven, have become much more popular since the arrival of COVID-19.

The coronavirus outbreak has taught community bankers to think on their feet and experiment. Speakers at an industry conference this week advised their peers to stay innovative to ensure they endure in a changing world.

Harit Talwar, who is moving from CEO of the digital banking unit to chairman of consumer banking, says Marcus wants to add checking and investment products, embed its offerings in additional high-profile platforms, and grow far beyond its current 5 million customers.

The bank worked with TravelBank, a fintech, to offer virtual cards and an app that automatically generates expense reports.

The North Carolina bank deployed Finxact's new technology, which runs on Amazon Web Services, to make Paycheck Protection Program loans and will use it next to offer business savings accounts and CDs.