Mastering Core Conversions: Strategies for success in 2024

As community and regional banks in the U.S. strive for innovation, one obstacle looms larger than others: a subpar core processing system. With technology rapidly evolving, it is more important than ever for banks to have a flexible core processing system. However, leaving one core for another is a daunting task and many banks continue to utilize restrictive cores because of the many challenges associated with converting to another.

To help our member banks work through a conversion analysis, the ABA recently published the report: Bankers’ Perspectives: A Three-Part Guide to Successful Core Platform Conversion. In this webinar, members of the ABA Core Platforms Committee will discuss this conversion guide and will offer their experience in completing successful conversions. Please join this webinar to learn best practices and the important steps that banks need to consider as they consider whether to make a core conversion.

Speakers

Kate Gallo Megraw is a driven and dynamic leader with extensive industry experience and a wealth of knowledge in technology and operational excellence. Her goal is to bring innovation to community banking, through her role as Chief Information Officer at Webster 5, and through serving on the ABA’s Core Platforms Committee. Kate provides strategic leadership, direction and management oversight for the Operations department, including the Information Technology, Business Systems, Project Management, Deposit Operations, and Loan Servicing teams.Kate holds an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University in Quantitative Analysis and a BA in Economics from Assumption College. She resides in Southampton Massachusetts with her two daughters.

Kristiane is responsible for driving strategic, technology-enabled business transformation initiatives for Zions including a multi-year digital core transformation. She passionate about community banking and is the Chair of the ABA’s Core Platforms Committee.

Prior to joining Zions in 2018, Kristiane was a Director in PwC's Digital Banking practice where she helped banks and financial technology companies envision and execute complex business transformation projects. She led systems implementation and process re-engineering programs, merger / acquisition, international market entry, product development, cost restructuring and regulatory-driven change programs for banks, payments, and financial technology companies.

In 2020 she was recognized by the Women Tech Council for Technology Transformation Excellence and named to American Banker’s NEXT Most Powerful Women in Banking list.

Kimberly Kirk is Executive Vice President, Chief Operations Officer for Queensborough National Bank & Trust Company, a $2 billion financial institution based in Louisville, GA. She began her banking career as a bank examiner for the State of South Carolina regulating state-chartered banks and trust companies before transitioning into community banking in 2002. Kim worked with four de novo banks prior to joining Queensborough in various finance and operations capacities, including CertusBank, N.A. where Kim led the deconversion process as CertusBank sold its banking operations to six acquirers, enabling the bank to successfully self-liquidate and debank.

Kim earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Furman University, her MBA from Clemson University, and is a graduate of the American Bankers Association’s Stonier Graduate School of Banking. Kim is past chair of the Georgia Bankers Association Operations and Technology Committee, and immediate past chair of the ABA Core Platforms Committee. She is a member of the ICBA ThinkTECH Selection Committee, and the CBA of Georgia Innovation Committee where she works with the Georgia Fintech Academy. Kim was also named a Standout in Community Banking by American Banker in their 2021 Most Powerful Women in Banking Program.

Bryan Bruns currently serves as President and CEO of Lake Central Bank in Annandale, Minnesota. Lake Central is a 130-year old, $210 million bank, with 3 offices located in central Minnesota, which offers a full range of banking, insurance and investment products. In addition to his 30 plus years of community banking experience, Bruns is active in both the banking industry and his community. He is a member and past Chair of the Minnesota Bankers Association and continues to serve on the Government Relations Committee. In addition, he currently serves on the American Bankers Association’s Board of Directors and Core Committee, served as past Chair of the ABA’s Community Bankers Council, served on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Community Bank Advisory Board, and is a member of the Financial Services Advisory Committee for Congressman Emmer. His community service includes many years on the boards of the Annandale Public Schools, Great River Regional Library, Annandale Development Company, Kimball Christian Church, and Annandale Chamber of Commerce.