Bank First is a Fintech / Platform company.
Bank First’s digital transformation strategy involves actively modernizing its core banking infrastructure and enhancing its customer-facing digital platforms. The company recently completed a comprehensive digital banking platform upgrade, unifying personal and business banking experiences through a single mobile application and online portal. Bank First also successfully migrated to a new core banking system, improving operational flexibility and enabling further fintech integrations.
This transformation creates critical dependencies on system interoperability and robust data management, introducing potential challenges across multiple operational workflows. System changes can lead to fragmented data views and manual reconciliation processes when data does not propagate correctly between platforms. This page will analyze these key initiatives, the specific operational challenges they introduce, and how external solutions can address these control points.
Bank First Snapshot
Headquarters: Manitowoc, Wisconsin
Number of employees: Approximately 546 full-time equivalent staff
Public or private: Public
Business model: Both
Website: https://www.bankfirst.com
Bank First ICP and Buying Roles
Who Bank First sells to
-
Regional banks that serve both personal and business customers.
-
Community financial institutions focused on integrated digital services.
Who drives buying decisions
-
Chief Information Officer (CIO) → Oversees technology strategy and system integration.
-
Chief Operating Officer (COO) → Manages operational efficiency and process optimization.
-
Vice President of Digital Banking → Directs digital platform development and customer experience.
-
Vice President of Technology → Leads core system implementation and infrastructure management.
Key Digital Transformation Initiatives at Bank First (At a Glance)
-
Upgrading digital banking platform for unified personal and business access.
-
Migrating core banking system to UFS Empowered Core for enhanced flexibility.
-
Automating commercial lending workflows through Teslar Software integration.
-
Streamlining in-branch account opening processes with a new platform.
Where Bank First’s Digital Transformation Creates Sales Opportunities
| Vendor Type | Where to Sell (DT Initiative + Challenge) | Buyer / Owner | Solution Approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data Orchestration Platforms | Digital Banking Platform Upgrade: customer profiles do not synchronize across all linked accounts. | VP of Digital Banking, VP of Technology | Standardize data consistency across customer records and digital channels. |
| Core Banking System Migration: transaction data fails to propagate consistently to downstream reporting systems. | Chief Information Officer, Head of Finance | Consolidate transaction data from core system for accurate financial reporting. | |
| Commercial Lending Automation: loan application data requires manual re-entry into the core banking system. | Chief Operations Officer, Head of Lending | Unify commercial lending data inputs with core system for direct data flow. | |
| Identity & Access Management | Digital Banking Platform Upgrade: multi-factor authentication enrollment blocks login for existing users. | VP of Digital Banking, Head of IT Security | Validate user identities and route authentication flows seamlessly. |
| Core Banking System Migration: access rights for employees do not transfer correctly after system conversion. | Chief Information Officer, HR Director | Enforce consistent access policies across new core banking applications. | |
| Digital Experience Platforms | Digital Banking Platform Upgrade: navigation elements on mobile application do not align with web interface. | VP of Digital Banking, Head of Product | Standardize user interface components across digital banking channels. |
| In-branch Account Opening Platform: new account setup workflows create inconsistent customer data entries. | Branch Operations Manager, Head of Retail | Prevent data discrepancies during new account creation processes. | |
| Process Automation Tools | Commercial Lending Automation: manual document verification delays processing of commercial loan applications. | Head of Lending Operations, Process Owner | Route documents for automated verification within lending workflows. |
| In-branch Account Opening Platform: data validation steps require manual override for specific customer segments. | Branch Manager, Head of Compliance | Enforce automated data validation rules during account opening. |
Identify when companies like Bank First are in-market for your solutions.
Spot buying signals, find the right prospects, enrich your data, and reach out with relevant messaging at the right time.
What makes this Bank First’s digital transformation unique
Bank First prioritizes a balanced approach, focusing on both internal system modernization and external customer experience enhancements. The recent core banking system migration indicates a deep investment in foundational infrastructure for future scalability and fintech enablement. This simultaneous focus on core operations and a unified digital presence for both personal and business customers distinguishes their strategy. The bank heavily depends on robust integrations to ensure data consistency and seamless functionality across its evolving technology stack.
Bank First’s Digital Transformation: Operational Breakdown
DT Initiative 1: Digital Banking Platform Upgrade
What the company is doing
Bank First upgraded its digital banking platform to unify personal and business banking experiences. This includes a single mobile application and online portal with enhanced features and simplified access methods. The update also changed authentication methods, removing security tokens for business customers and requiring multi-factor authentication via phone or text.
Who owns this
-
VP of Digital Banking
-
Chief Information Officer
-
Head of Product
Where It Fails
-
Customer authentication processes fail when multi-factor authentication codes do not deliver consistently.
-
Personalized settings and preferences do not synchronize across mobile and web interfaces.
-
Existing customer bookmarks for online banking no longer work after the URL change.
Talk track
Noticed Bank First recently launched a unified digital banking platform. Been looking at how some fintech teams are ensuring consistent user experience across web and mobile channels instead of letting features diverge, can share what’s working if useful.
DT Initiative 2: Core Banking System Migration
What the company is doing
Bank First implemented the UFS Empowered Core banking technology platform. This project involved migrating all data and technology to the new system, completed in June 2024. This migration aims to provide greater flexibility, speed to market, and improved fintech integration capabilities.
Who owns this
-
Chief Information Officer
-
Vice President of Technology
-
Head of Infrastructure
Where It Fails
-
Historical customer data requires manual reconciliation when accessed from the new core system.
-
Third-party integrations with the core banking system produce data mapping errors.
-
Reporting dashboards display inconsistent financial metrics due to data latency from the new platform.
Talk track
Saw Bank First successfully completed a core banking system migration. Been looking at how some community banks are preventing data inconsistencies during system migrations instead of fixing errors downstream, happy to share what we’re seeing.
DT Initiative 3: Commercial Lending Automation
What the company is doing
Bank First expanded its partnership with Teslar Software to automate commercial lending processes. This initiative centralizes lending operations and increases transparency through automated workflows and advanced reporting. It streamlines the entire loan origination and portfolio management lifecycle.
Who owns this
-
Chief Operations Officer
-
Head of Commercial Lending
-
VP of Business Banking
Where It Fails
-
Commercial loan documents require manual review before digital archiving within the lending system.
-
Automated reporting on commercial loan portfolios fails to include all required compliance fields.
-
New commercial loan applications block processing when specific data fields are incomplete.
Talk track
Looks like Bank First is expanding its commercial lending automation. Been seeing teams validate loan application data at the point of entry instead of correcting errors later, can share what’s working if useful.
DT Initiative 4: In-branch Account Opening Platform Upgrade
What the company is doing
Bank First upgraded its in-branch account opening platform in 2024 to streamline the process. This system enhancement improves efficiency and simplifies new account setups for both customers and branch staff. The new platform reduces paperwork and provides a more intuitive user experience.
Who owns this
-
Head of Retail Banking
-
Branch Operations Manager
-
Head of Training and Development
Where It Fails
-
Customer identity verification steps create delays when documents require manual approval.
-
New account setup workflows generate incomplete customer records for specific product types.
-
Data captured during in-branch onboarding does not automatically populate CRM systems.
Talk track
Seems like Bank First streamlined its in-branch account opening processes. Been seeing teams enforce data completeness for new customer records instead of allowing fragmented entries, happy to share what we’re seeing.
Who Should Target Bank First Right Now
This account is relevant for:
-
Data Integration and Synchronization Platforms
-
Identity and Access Management Solutions
-
Digital Banking Experience Platforms
-
Workflow Automation and Orchestration Tools
-
Core Banking System Integrators
Not a fit for:
-
Basic website builders with no backend integration capabilities
-
Standalone marketing automation tools without system connectivity
-
Products designed for individual consumers only
When Bank First Is Worth Prioritizing
Prioritize if:
-
You sell solutions that standardize customer profile data across disparate banking systems.
-
You sell platforms that ensure consistent data propagation during core system migrations.
-
You sell tools that automate document verification and data extraction within lending workflows.
-
You sell systems that enforce automated data validation rules during in-branch account opening.
-
You sell solutions for seamless multi-factor authentication across digital banking channels.
Deprioritize if:
-
Your solution does not address any of the breakdowns above.
-
Your product is limited to basic functionality with no integration capabilities.
-
Your offering is not built for complex multi-system banking environments.
Who Can Sell to Bank First Right Now
Data Integration and Synchronization Platforms
Fivetran - This company provides automated data integration that centralizes data from various sources into a data warehouse.
Why they are relevant: Transaction data fails to propagate consistently to downstream reporting systems after the core banking system migration. Fivetran can automate data pipelines from the new UFS Empowered Core to ensure all financial reports use complete and current data.
Informatica - This company offers enterprise cloud data management solutions for data integration, data quality, and master data management.
Why they are relevant: Customer profiles do not synchronize across all linked accounts within the upgraded digital banking platform. Informatica can consolidate and standardize customer data across multiple Bank First systems, preventing fragmented views and ensuring accurate customer records.
SnapLogic - This company provides an AI-powered integration platform that connects applications, data, and devices in the cloud.
Why they are relevant: Third-party integrations with the new core banking system produce data mapping errors. SnapLogic can build and manage robust API integrations to ensure seamless and accurate data exchange between the Empowered Core and other Bank First applications.
Identity and Access Management Solutions
Okta - This company delivers an identity platform that provides secure access to applications and devices for employees and customers.
Why they are relevant: Multi-factor authentication enrollment blocks login for existing users on the upgraded digital banking platform. Okta can manage user identities and streamline secure access, preventing authentication issues and ensuring a smooth login experience across all Bank First digital channels.
ForgeRock - This company offers a digital identity platform for consumers, workforce, and things, ensuring secure and personalized experiences.
Why they are relevant: Access rights for employees do not transfer correctly after the core banking system conversion. ForgeRock can enforce consistent identity governance and access policies across all new core banking applications for Bank First employees.
Digital Banking Experience Platforms
Backbase - This company provides an Engagement Banking Platform that unifies customer journeys across various touchpoints.
Why they are relevant: Navigation elements on the mobile application do not align with the web interface after the digital banking upgrade. Backbase can standardize user interface components and customer journeys across Bank First's digital channels, ensuring a consistent and intuitive experience.
Infosys Finacle - This company offers a comprehensive suite of banking solutions, including digital channels, core banking, and wealth management.
Why they are relevant: Personalized settings and preferences do not synchronize across mobile and web interfaces on the new digital banking platform. Finacle's platform can manage and unify customer preferences across all digital touchpoints, ensuring a personalized and consistent experience for Bank First users.
Workflow Automation and Orchestration Tools
UiPath - This company provides a robotic process automation (RPA) platform to automate repetitive tasks and business processes.
Why they are relevant: Commercial loan documents require manual review before digital archiving within the lending system. UiPath can automate the extraction and validation of data from loan documents, routing them for digital archiving without manual intervention.
Appian - This company offers a low-code platform for building enterprise applications and automating complex business processes.
Why they are relevant: New commercial loan applications block processing when specific data fields are incomplete. Appian can orchestrate commercial lending workflows, ensuring all required data fields are complete and validated before advancing to the next processing stage.
Salesforce Financial Services Cloud - This company delivers a CRM platform specifically designed for financial institutions to manage customer relationships and streamline operations.
Why they are relevant: Data captured during in-branch onboarding does not automatically populate CRM systems. Salesforce Financial Services Cloud can ensure seamless data transfer from the in-branch account opening platform directly into the CRM, providing a complete customer view.
Final Take
Bank First is actively scaling its digital banking capabilities and modernizing its core infrastructure. Breakdowns are visible in data synchronization between systems, inconsistent digital experiences, and manual validation steps within commercial lending and account opening workflows. This account is a strong fit for solutions that prevent data fragmentation, standardize user experiences, and automate operational choke points created by these significant digital transformations.
Identify buying signals from digital transformation at your target companies and find those already in-market.
Find the right contacts and use tailored messages to reach out with context.