By Published On: February 18, 2026

What your vendor won’t tell you.

What your team needs to hear.

One issue a week.

🌐 Spotlight: Executives mistake perception for progress.

🌐 This Week’s Sketch: Finding the Sweet Spot: Balance Wins

🌐 News: AI shakes wealth and banking.

🌐 Strategy: Benchmark your core transformation performance.

🌐 Careers: Now hiring: payments, core, operations.

🌐 Next Week: Reveals how bias distorts benchmarking and transformation.

Strategy meets execution here. Don’t miss what could spark your next big move.


Lesson in Bias

CB RADAR™ 2025 reveals how optimism bias can distort transformation success—making honest metrics and independent governance essential to real progress.

In CB RADAR™ 2025, 72.5% of banks called their core transformation a success, yet industry benchmarks tell a more complicated story. The real gap isn’t technology or funding, it’s perception. Optimism bias quietly reframes delays as pivots, stabilization as completion, and survival as victory.

The banks that outperform build truth into governance, measure outcomes (not just milestones), and validate progress independently.

Are you measuring momentum or real impact?


Finding the sweet spot

The most successful transformations avoid extremes, focused, medium-complexity change delivers momentum without the risk of overreach.

In core banking modernization, bigger isn’t always better and smaller rarely moves the needle. CB RADAR™ 2025 reveals that medium-complexity transformations consistently outperform both oversized overhauls and superficial upgrades. The difference? Focus, scope control and alignment with organizational readiness.

 


  • Altruist’s AI Tax Planner Triggers Wealth Management Selloff

Altruist launched Hazel AI Tax Planning on February 10th, and the wealth management sector immediately had a bad day.

  • AI Disruption Doubts Meet Startup Momentum

Analysts say traditional advisors still have strong moats—but fintechs like Robinhood are steadily winning younger customers, proving disruption is real, even if gradual.

  • BNY Mellon’s Non‑Human Workforce Hits 134

BNY Mellon now deploys 134 “digital employees” after cutting headcount and investing $3.8B in tech, 19% of revenue, with analysts projecting a 19% EPS lift. This isn’t a pilot; it’s a major operating shift.

Ready to explore?

Dive into the highlights to see how leaders in the banking space are tackling innovation, efficiency, and scalability head-on. Let these stories inspire your own transformation journey.


Benchmark yourself

CB RADAR™ 2025 shows that commercial banks lead core transformation activity, while credit unions and community banks also show growing momentum.

Every core transformation feels unique, until you see how it stacks up against 113 global peers in CB RADAR™ 2025. Use the Core Banking Readiness Scorecard to turn perception into evidence and see where your bank truly stands.

 


Stay Connected with Core Insider

Thank you for being a part of our Core Insider community! Stay ahead in core banking transformation with our expert insights, actionable strategies, and curated news.


Explore More:

Join the Conversation:

Have insights to share or questions about today’s newsletter? Reply to this email or join the discussion on our
LinkedInPage.

Looking for Talent or Opportunities?

Check out our
Careers Page for exciting opportunities in core banking transformation.

Spread the Word:

Enjoyed this issue of Core Insider? Forward it to a colleague or friend who would benefit from these insights.

Transformation starts with insight. Stay sharp. Stay Core.

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!

Subscribe to Newsletter