Technology Management Resources, Inc.
Ten Questions Bankers Should Ask Before Investing in New Technology
By Harold “Bud” BoughtonAdapted from the same article
published in the ABA Banking JournalJanuary 2010
Technology Management Resources, Inc.
Bud Boughton
20+ years experience in the “core” banking software business
Published author
Former College Football Coach and Educator
Technology Management Resources, Inc.
Bud Boughton
Currently… Senior Banking Business Analyst and Regional Sales Manager Technology Management Resources, Inc.
Technology Management Resources, Inc.
How many of you are evaluating technology-based solutions as part of your bank’s strategic plan for 2010?
Technology Management Resources, Inc.
Why is your bank doing this?
What is the big attraction to technology?
Technology Management Resources, Inc.
For years vendor organizations have promised bankers that their technology (solution) would give your bank the ‘competitive edge.’
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More importantly, technology-based solutions should deliver results and help the bank achieve certain performance objectives.
Ten Questions Bankers Should Ask…
1. Why specifically is your bank even looking at this new technology?
Are you losing business because you don’t have it?
Are your customers asking for this capability?
Is the bank missing a business opportunity without it?
Ten Questions Bankers Should Ask…
2. Will this new technology help the bank…
Increase Income?Decrease Expenses?Grow Low-Cost Core Deposits?Improve Efficiency?Enhance or Solidify Current Customer Relationships?
Ten Questions Bankers Should Ask…
3. What is the Cost of Entry (Total Initial Investment) for this New Technology?
Ten Questions Bankers Should Ask…
4. How Quickly can the New Technology be Implemented at the Bank and How Quickly will the Bank Begin to See a Return on Its Investment?
Ten Questions Bankers Should Ask…
5. What Will be the Impact of the New Technology on Personnel?
Increased Workloads During Implementation?
Training Requirements?
Learning Curves?
Ten Questions Bankers Should Ask…
6. Will the Technology Being Implemented Scale to Meet our Future Needs and Will it do so in a Cost-Effective Manner?
Ten Questions Bankers Should Ask…
7. What is the Total Investment for the Technology Over the Life of the Contract?
Can you calculate the actual measureable impact of this new technology in order to make a solid determination of the ROI over the contractual period associated with the technology your are acquiring?
Ten Questions Bankers Should Ask…
8. What is the Risk Associated with the New Technology Being Implemented?
Financial Risk?
Compliance Risk?
Risk to Customers?
Ten Questions Bankers Should Ask…
9. Does the Technology and the Vendor Have a Solid Track Record?
Talk to Customer References
Visit Customer References
Ask about ‘worst-case’ scenarios.
Ten Questions Bankers Should Ask…
10. Do the Benefits Associated with this Technology Fall in Line with the Strategic Business Objectives for Our Bank?
Technology Management Resources, Inc.
Think of Every Technology
Decision Your Bank Makes as a Strategic Banking Decision…
Because that is What it is.