Survey: Only 53 percent of bankers pleased with core platform providers

Only 53 percent of bankers are satisfied with their core platform providers, according to the American Bankers Association Core Platforms Survey released this week during the ABA's 2025 Conference of Community Bankers. .Bankers rated their overall satisfaction with their core service providers a 3.19 on a scale of 1-5, up from 3.01 in 2022. Thirty-five percent of banks were "dissatisfied" with their core processor, according to the report. Banker ratings of the effectiveness of their core platform providers also increased, to 2.78 last year from 2.67 in 2022. The top-performing core provider had a 4.03 rating. .The survey also ranked banker satisfaction with individual core solutions, with levels ranging from less than 50 percent to more than 80 percent. Overall satisfaction reportedly declined the longer a bank is on their current core platform, with steady declines throughout the contract term. .Despite relatively low ratings, most banks are not planning to leave their current core platform provider, according to the ABA. Sixty-nine percent are "extremely or somewhat likely" to keep their current provider when their contract is up for renewal, compared with only 19 percent planning a conversion. .Bankers who planned to switch cited customer service and disappointment with their current core provider as factors. In 2022, bankers cited insufficient support for integration along with outdated products. ."The survey results show that while we've made some important progress, more work remains to improve the relationship banks have with their cores," said ABA President and CEO Rob Nichols. "ABA remains committed to this important effort."