Ali Mattera, chief digital officer at ConnectOne Financial institution, is driving bankwide digital innovation.
“By aligning our expertise methods with the financial institution’s overarching targets, I tackle the challenges of legacy infrastructure whereas shaping the trail to implement cutting-edge options,” Mattera advised Financial institution Automation Information.
In an interview with BAN, Mattera mentioned which applied sciences the $9.6 billion Englewood Cliffs, N.J.-based bank is implementing, priorities for 2025 and the way she determines the place so as to add efficiencies on the financial institution. What follows is an edited model of that dialog.
Financial institution Automation Information: What improvements throughout the financial institution have you ever spearheaded?
Ali Mattera: Two of the digital tasks we’re bringing to life embrace the implementation of applied sciences from Mantl and VentureOn.
We’re growing a brand new digital language throughout the corporate, making certain that everybody is engaged, aligned and shifting in the correct course. We’re working programs that allow us to attain these targets, facilitating our journey towards a completely digital and modern banking atmosphere.
My duties are each tactical and strategic, as I deal with adopting new digital applied sciences all through the complete group. This entails making a complete method to integrating new applied sciences, which has a big affect on the corporate.
BAN: What shopper and worker experiences have you ever optimized as chief digital officer?
AM: Optimizing ConnectOne Financial institution’s digital platforms is a crucial a part of my work. Now we have built-in fashionable applied sciences with our legacy programs, enhancing each client-facing and inside operations. By implementing applied sciences from Mantl and ZSuite, we streamline deposit origination and escrow administration. These instruments not solely elevate the shopper expertise but additionally enhance the worker expertise by lowering guide processes and boosting effectivity.
BAN: How do you establish what wants added efficiencies?
AM: To establish areas requiring added efficiencies, I collaborate carefully with our enterprise strains, which collect insights from real-world utilization and prioritize enhancements based mostly on shopper and worker wants. I additionally personal mission administration as a part of digital is not only figuring out the correct answer with my companions, however deploying the options in a lean, adaptive and methodical means. This method aligns with our dedication to delivering fast, significant change, which is more and more essential in right now’s fast-paced world.
BAN: What rising applied sciences do you have got your eye on that may very well be utilized inside ConnectOne?
AM: Within the coming years, a number of rising applied sciences are positioned to considerably affect the banking sector, together with funds, identification verification, fraud prevention and embedded banking. Actual-time cost programs and digital wallets are reworking funds, providing shoppers sooner and extra handy transaction choices.
Because the world turns into extra real-time and cloud-based, superior fraud prevention applied sciences are essential to counter more and more subtle fraudsters. Moreover, embedded banking is rapidly evolving, integrating monetary companies into on a regular basis purposes and platforms, making transactions extra seamless and enhancing shoppers’ digital experiences.
BAN: What’s your method to fostering a tradition of innovation at ConnectOne?
AM: At ConnectOne Financial institution, fostering a tradition of innovation begins with the sturdy management of Frank Sorrentino, CEO, and Elizabeth Magennis, president, who set up a transparent directive that innovation is significant to the financial institution’s success.
ConnectOne Financial institution embodies a dedication to creating an atmosphere the place fashionable and modern pondering is not only inspired however anticipated. This tradition permits us to take daring steps in tackling legacy infrastructure, which most banks our dimension aren’t doing. In truth, now we have a task carved out for innovation to discover alternatives within the market and form methods to deploy inside ConnectOne.
Register here for early-bird pricing for Financial institution Automation Summit 2025, going down March 3-4 in Nashville, Tenn. View the complete event agenda here.
