In 2023, competition between digital payment platforms and traditional banks became fiercer than ever. The growing demand for convenience, efficiency, and cutting-edge technology has established online banking solutions as leaders in the ever-evolving FinTech world.

In this article, we explore the advantages of digital payment solutions over traditional banks and introduce the best online banking platforms on which you can build your own PayTech product.

What is an online banking platform?

An online banking platform is a pre-built payment software designed to provide the foundation and tools needed to develop and operate modern banking solutions, including neobanks and other financial systems. 

Online banking platforms provide a comprehensive set of features and capabilities that enable organizations to efficiently set up, manage and scale their digital banking services.

Online banks vs. traditional banks

The main difference between online banks and traditional banks lies in the way they operate and offer their services: 

• Online banks operate exclusively in the digital realm and have no physical branches. 
• Traditional banks are supported by a network of physical branches for in-person transactions and offer a wider range of services, including checking and savings accounts, loans, and investment options, etc
• The majority of consumers (61%) surveyed indicated that they are likely to switch to a digital-only bank.

The choice between the two depends on individual preferences in terms of accessibility and level of personal interaction.

The difference between online banks and traditional banks

Aspect	Online Banks	Traditional Banks
Physical presence	Limited or none	Branches and ATMs
Accessibility	24/7 access online/mobile	Limited hours of operation
Account Fees	Lower or no fees	May have monthly fees
Technology & features	Digital applications	Traditional banking tools
Security	Strong online security	Physical security focus
Customer service	Mostly online/phone	In-person and phone
Convenience	Users can perform transactions 24/7	Financial operations limited by the bank’s operating hours
Transaction processing speed	Faster	May be slower
Overhead costs	Lower	Higher

Online banking and traditional banking services each have their own strengths and weaknesses. Online banking offers the convenience of 24/7 access, allowing customers to efficiently manage their finances from any spot with an Internet connection. Transactions are processed quickly, allowing users to easily check their account balances, transfer funds, and make electronic payments.

In contrast, traditional banks offer the advantage of handling more complicated banking transactions face-to-face with bank representatives. However, it’s important to note that traditional banks may not offer the same robust security measures as online banks.

The advantages of online banking platforms

Digital banking software offers a variety of benefits for both financial institutions and their customers. In the following section, we highlight the key benefits of the digital banking platforms for payment companies:

Accelerated development

Pre-developed online banking platforms significantly speed up the development process for payment companies. They provide a foundation of pre-built software and functionality, eliminating the need to develop complex financial systems from scratch.

Cost efficiency

Using pre-developed platforms can result in significant cost savings. These platforms often have a set of built-in features, reducing the need for extensive custom development and the associated costs.

Shorter time-to-market

By streamlining the development process, payment service providers can bring their products and services to market much faster. This agility is critical in the competitive financial technology landscape.

Scalability

Many pre-developed banking platforms are designed to grow seamlessly as your business grows. They provide the flexibility to adapt to changing user needs and transaction volumes without requiring major overhauls.

Enhanced security

Reputable online banking platforms have robust security features, including encryption, compliance with industry standards, and fraud detection mechanisms that provide a safe environment for financial transactions.

Customization

While these platforms are pre-built, they are often highly customizable to meet your specific business needs, brand identity, and unique requirements.

Reduced setup and training requirements

By using pre-developed platforms, companies can minimize the need for extensive setup and staff training in software development, saving time and resources.

Best online banking platforms 

Let’s dive into some of the best online banking platforms available in the market and explore their unique features.

SDK.finance banking Platform

The SDK.finance banking Platform is a pre-developed FinTech solution on which banking products can be built. With a range of features and capabilities, SDK.finance provides a robust Platform that enables businesses to build, manage and scale their financial services faster without having to start from scratch.

The main features of SDK.finance banking Platform:

• Enhanced scalability 
• State-of-the-art fees and limits management
• Multicurrency system
• Visa/MasterCard issuing
• Effortless Integrations via 400+ APIs

SDK.finance’s banking Platform is a powerful solution, equipped with the tools and infrastructure necessary for organizations to create and expand online banking services effectively.

Finacle Digital Engagement Suite

Finacle Digital Engagement Suite, developed by Infosys (EdgeVerve), is a comprehensive digital banking platform that enables banks to deliver seamless customer experiences across multiple channels.

Finacle Digital Engagement Suite features include:

• Unified engagement hub
• Robust features and ecosystem
• Advanced architecture
• End-to-end transformation of digital experiences

Finacle Suite is a strategic tool for banks to adapt to changing customer needs and preferences, stay competitive and ensure customer satisfaction. With its open and flexible architecture, it helps banks not only meet but exceed customer expectations while maintaining operational efficiency.

nCino Bank Operating System

nCino Bank Operating System is a cloud-based platform designed to improve banking operations and increase efficiency. 

Key features of nCino Bank Operating System

• Improved navigation of the loan origination process
• Data presentation in a single view to streamline data entry
• Conditional rendering of fields, screens and tabs based on a financial institution’s visibility and access requirements
• Seamless integration with the Salesforce Lightning Experience

With a secure cloud-based solution, the nCino Cloud Banking Platform covers a wide range of business areas. This platform streamlines interactions between customers and employees, driving efficiency, transparency, profitability and regulatory compliance across all areas of the business.

NETinfo Digital Banking Platform

NETinfo Digital Banking Platform offers a comprehensive suite of digital banking solutions that meet the needs of both retail and corporate customers.

Key features of this platform include:

• Open platform design for effortless integration with any core banking system and third-party system
• Release of new digital services: self-service
• Analytics enable banks to identify cross-sell and up-sell opportunities
• Open banking features

NETinfo’s Digital Banking Platform provides a comprehensive suite of solutions, serving both retail and corporate banking needs, and offers a range of features that enhance efficiency, security, and revenue generation for financial institutions.

Backbase 

Backbase is a dynamic and innovative digital banking platform that enables community banks, credit unions, commercial banks and wealth management firms to deliver a fast, easy-to-use and feature-rich online banking experience across all customer touchpoints.

Key highlights of the Backbase platform include:

• Pre-built integrations
• Core agnostic
• Turn-key apps
• Microservice-based architecture
• Customization with web & mobile SDKs and 200+ APIs

Our unified platform covers a range of banking functions, from customer enrollment and service delivery to loyalty programs and lending. It is designed to be open and frictionless, with ready-to-use applications that improve every facet of the customer journey.

Temenos 

Temenos is one of the leading online banking platforms in the world. The platform is designed to help retail, commercial and private banks manage transactions, risks, corporate loans and much more.

Key capabilities of Temenos platform include:

• Modular architecture 
• Extensive range of features and functionalities
• 24/7/365 non-stop operation
• Highly automated – straight through processing
• Controlled autonomy – choose level of independence
• Regular and simple software upgrade strategy

Temenos’ solution provides the ability to meet the diverse needs of banks in a variety of financial markets and regions.

Fiserv

Fiserv, Inc. is a multinational corporation with its headquarters based in Brookfield, Wisconsin. It specializes in delivering financial technology solutions to clients across diverse sectors, with a strong focus on the financial services industry. 

Established in 1976, Fiserv is known for its cost-effective organizational structure and a track record of acquiring core processing companies. Here’s an overview of what sets Fiserv apart:

• Cost-driven structure
• Integrated service solutions
• Predictive scoring models
• Self-service network

Fiserv is a trusted partner for financial institutions seeking to navigate the complexities of the modern banking landscape, enabling them to remain competitive, secure and customer-focused.

Future trends in online banking platforms evolution

Digital banking platforms go beyond basic banking functions to offer a range of features such as mobile banking, personalized experiences, and third-party application integration. By leveraging technology and data, digital banking platforms are changing the way we interact with financial institutions.

The future of online banking platforms will likely be shaped by several new trends and technologies. Below, we present the future trends for the digital banking software industry:

Mobile-first banking

Mobile banking apps will continue to evolve, offering a seamless and intuitive user experience, including features like mobile check deposits, voice-activated commands, and augmented reality-based banking services.

Data as a personalization tool 

In this digital age, personalization isn’t just about basic data like the customer’s name. Rather, it’s about knowing your customers’ likes and dislikes and developing a unique package of banking products and services for each customer that meets their needs and wants.

Environmental and social responsibility

Online banks may focus on sustainability and social responsibility, offering environmentally friendly banking options and supporting ethical investing. For example, they may offer green loans or financing options that support environmentally friendly projects, such as renewable energy installations, energy-efficient home improvements, or electric vehicle purchases.

Global expansion

Online banks may expand their reach globally, offering multi-currency accounts and international banking services to cater to the needs of a more interconnected world.

Ecosystem partnerships

Collaboration with fintech companies and other businesses will lead to the creation of financial ecosystems, where customers can access a wide range of services seamlessly from within their online banking apps. 

How to speed up an online banking platform development?

Developing an online banking platform from scratch can be a challenging task requiring significant financial investment and time. 

SDK.finance Platform was created to make this journey much more efficient and cost-effective. Our pre-developed back-end solution serves as a foundation that allows you to accelerate the development process and focus on customer experience and adding new functionality. 

You can use SDK.finance`s ready-made Platform to build the payment product on your own, but if you don’t have software developers you can hire our dedicated development team. Our technical professionals have more than 10 years of experience in FinTech and can bring your payment product vision to life more efficiently and faster. 

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• Source: https://sdk.finance/exploring-the-best-online-banking-platforms/