Cloud computing

Several non-U.S. core systems providers are trying to make American banks their clients, but they still face challenges penetrating an entrenched marketplace.

The global conglomerate Koch Industries plans to invest $2 billion in Infor, an enterprise software provider for various industries including financial services.

Omnichannel commerce demands multiple layers of technology, and each layer adds a risk of latency and friction at time when payment companies can least afford it.

Antony Jenkins, the former chief executive of Barclays, has formed a startup with the aim of offering API-driven, cloud-based core processing services to banks.

JPMorgan Chase is shifting its IT organization to private and public cloud computing. The motivation is not just saving money — on the contrary, CIO Dana Deasy vows the IT budget will not shrink. Rather, the main goals are saving developers' time, redirecting resources away from basic infrastructure and toward innovation and working with fintech startups.

Fintech is transforming consumer financial services, but automation and data innovation can also help banks meet their growing regulatory demands.

Banks need more specific guidance that clarifies requirements around vendor contracts, risk assessments, data management and other issues.

JPMorgan Chase has recruited an IBM executive to oversee its adoption of cloud services.

With flooding in a big portion of its market, Iberiabank executives detail how technology is helping it stay open for business in a way that could not have happened a decade ago.

Chief Technology Officer David Reilly has had to make major reductions in traditional expenses so Bank of America can afford to collaborate with fintech firms that are developing innovative products the bank craves.

Deloitte is partnering with five blockchain companies as it seeks practical uses for the emerging technology in its consulting business.

IBM has released a set of blockchain cloud services built to meet security and compliance standards for companies in regulated industries — particularly, financial services, health care and government.

NCino, a vendor of cloud-based banking technology, has added deposit account opening to its platform.

R3 CEV, the blockchain consortium backed by some of the largest global banks, has partnered with Microsoft to accelerate the deployment of distributed ledger technology.

Rather than replace aging servers and add an on-site backup system, The Eastern Colorado Bank moved its IT infrastructure to the cloud. While some bankers fear outsourcing such systems, the community bank has had a hosted core for several years.

The blockchain could move from testing to reality, APIs are likely to expand, and more functions will move to the cloud as banks look for ways to fend off fintechs in 2016.

Next year, look for banks to finally start putting mission-critical applications on public cloud services, with Capital One leading the way.

Umpqua Holdings wants other banks to join its recently announced innovation lab in Silicon Valley. The company says if smaller banks pool resources they can compete with the deep pockets of the big banks in disruption.

Major cloud, consulting and software providers like Microsoft and Deloitte are plugging "blockchain as a service" for financial institutions that want to experiment with this technology without making huge investments.

The core-processing vendor FIS wants to dream big like fintech startups when it comes to developing future services, but it also seeks to be large enough to offer multiple services in an era when banks are cutting back on third-party providers.