The digital banking landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace. As financial institutions scramble to stay ahead of technological advancements and customer expectations, understanding the tools available for engagement becomes crucial. Enter the Forrester Wave, a comprehensive evaluation framework designed to help banks navigate the myriad of digital banking engagement platforms available in Q3 2017.
Understanding the Forrester Wave Framework
The Forrester Wave reports are semiannual evaluations of various software categories and providers. In this analysis, Forrester evaluates vendors based on their current offering, strategy, and market presence. The goal? To equip businesses and decision-makers with data-driven insights to facilitate informed choices about technologies.
What Are Digital Banking Engagement Platforms?
Digital banking engagement platforms are tools that enable financial institutions to interact with customers through digital channels. They provide features such as personalized account management, mobile banking, customer service chatbots, and targeted marketing campaigns. These platforms are essential in the current digital-first economy, facilitating seamless customer interactions and driving loyalty.
Key Players in Q3 2017
As of Q3 2017, the Forrester Wave evaluated several prominent players in the digital banking engagement space. Companies like Salesforce Financial Services Cloud, Oracle Digital Banking, and FIS Digital Banking Suite emerged as leaders, each showcasing unique strengths that cater to different banking needs.
Salesforce Financial Services Cloud
Salesforce Financial Services Cloud stands out with its comprehensive CRM capabilities tailored specifically to financial services. This platform allows banks to manage customer relationships effectively while utilizing advanced analytics to anticipate client needs. Its user-friendly interface and customizable features make it a preferred choice for many banks looking to enhance customer engagement.
Oracle Digital Banking
Oracle’s offering presents a robust solution with a focus on AI-driven insights. It empowers banks to automate and personalize customer interactions, ensuring that clients receive the relevant information at the right time. The integration of Oracle’s cloud infrastructure enables banks to scale their operations smoothly while maintaining security and compliance.
FIS Digital Banking Suite
The FIS Digital Banking Suite is another high-flyer, particularly recognized for its strong application programming interfaces (APIs) which enable integration with third-party services. This flexibility allows banks to provide innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of their customers.
Important Features to Consider
While evaluating digital banking engagement platforms, there are several features that banks should prioritize:
1. Customer Personalization
Today’s customers expect personalized experiences. A platform that harnesses data analytics to tailor services—like offering customized financial advice or product recommendations—will significantly enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty.
2. Omnichannel Capability
Engaging customers across multiple touchpoints is crucial. A good digital banking engagement platform should support seamless interactions between online and offline channels, ensuring consistent communications, whether the customer is using mobile, web, or in-person services.
3. Security Features
The financial sector is under constant threat from cybercriminals. Therefore, robust security features integrated into the platform—such as multi-factor authentication, encryption, and fraud detection—are not just benefits; they are necessities.
Future Trends in Digital Banking Engagement
As we look beyond Q3 2017, several trends are expected to shape the future of digital banking engagement:
1. Increased Use of Artificial Intelligence
AI technologies are poised to transform how banks operate by automating processes and providing deeper insights into consumer behavior. This advancement will allow banks to create more personalized experiences through chatbots and predictive analytics.
2. Blockchain Technology
Blockchain has the potential to revolutionize banking engagement by enhancing security, transparency, and efficiency in transactions. As banks explore this technology, we can expect innovative services that make financial interactions faster and more secure.
3. Enhanced Mobile Functionality
The shift towards mobile banking is undeniable. As a result, engagement platforms must prioritize mobile-first designs, ensuring that customers can access banking services on their devices easily. Features such as biometric authentication and mobile wallets will play a crucial role in this transition.
Final Thoughts: Navigating the Digital Banking Landscape
The insights garnered from the Forrester Wave’s evaluation of digital banking engagement platforms in Q3 2017 serve as a valuable guide for financial institutions navigating this complex landscape. By understanding the strengths of key players and keeping an eye on important features, banks can enhance customer engagement strategies and drive growth in this digital era. As technology continues to evolve, staying ahead of the curve will be essential for banks to succeed and thrive.







