ERP Software for Banking Industry: Comprehensive Guide & Insights

With the volume of data growing exponentially, managing a bank has never been as challenging as it is today. Now, banks need not only to focus on managing loans and risks but also provide personalized and on-demand services to accommodate various needs of their customers. That’s where an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system comes into play. 

First introduced back in the 1990s, ERP software has since experienced rapid growth. It saved computer-reliant industries from the year 2000 problem, which could destroy financial infrastructure. It also revolutionized the way banking systems operate by automating and streamlining many of the core business processes, reducing potential errors, and enhancing customer service. 

So, if you’re still contemplating whether or not to switch to an ERP, the truth is — it’s no longer just an option. In today’s digital era, ERP usage has become a necessity, allowing financial institutions to cater to the evolving needs of their customers and stay ahead of the curve. 

In this article, we’ll take a close look at how to build a robust ERP for the banking industry, considering the unique challenges and requirements banks face. We will also shed light on some off-the-shelf solutions that can be used as an alternative. Let’s jump right into it. 

Key Takeaways

• ERP, or Enterprise Resource Planning, is the type of software that allows organizations to perform their key duties more efficiently. In particular, ERP in banking industry helps tackle issues and tasks specific to the field, including reporting, account management, cash accounting, security management, and payment processing.
• There are many reasons why ERP bank integration is such a popular trend. ERPs help banks successfully handle a constantly growing number of transactions, obtain and process advanced analytics, increase operational efficiency, improve the security of their systems, ensure stronger compliance, and achieve better cross-team collaboration.
• At the same time, the use of an ERP for banking industry does have its limitations. Most importantly, it can be difficult to calculate the overall implementation costs, while the time required to do the job is also hard to predict. Moreover, teams can oppose the change due to the lack of information, and using a third-party ERP can also be sometimes associated with security risks.
• The functionality of ERP software for banking industry is very diverse. Modern ERP systems can help with customer segmentation, marketing campaigns, new market penetration, cross-selling and upselling, as well as automating time-consuming tasks such as loan approval.
• Many banks and financial institutions face the same choice when thinking about implementing an ERP: to develop the whole system from scratch or to use a third-party solution.
• Custom ERPs have many advantages, including being tailored to the organization’s needs, scalability, and security. At the same time, there are a few drawbacks as well: most importantly, the complexity of the system and the fact that it takes a lot of time and money to develop one.
• Off-the-shelf ERP solutions have their advantages too: they are affordable, can be implemented faster, and usually come with extensive vendor support. Their drawbacks include limited scalability and flexibility, and the fact that since the same ERP system in banking can be used by many, many institutions, it can be hard to gain a competitive advantage.
• Building a custom ERP for financial services and banking use involves several crucial steps. It all startswith analysis and planning. Then, you need to do prototyping, MVP development, and full-scale ERP development, in that order. QA and testing are a phase that is mandatory before a successful deployment. Finally, post-deployment maintenance and support ensures smooth sailing for the product.
• The cost of a bank ERP system development ranges from $120,000 for a basic solution to upwards of $250,000 for an advanced application with comprehensive functionality. The overall cost of the project depends on several factors, including the functionality of the ERP system, team size and location, the number of integrations, and the scalability and security requirements.
• The most popular options for an off-the-shelf ERP in banking industry include Microsoft Dynamics 365, SAP S4/HANA, Oracle NetSuite, QuickBooks Enterprise, and Sage Intacct.

What Is an ERP System?

Before we get down to the nitty-gritty, let’s first explain what ERP stands for. Enterprise Resource Planning, or simply ERP, is software that allows organizations and businesses to perform their core banking operations faster and more easily. These include:

• Accounting, 
• Risk management, 
• Project management activities, 
• Supply chain operations, 
• Human resource management functions, and so on and so forth. 

An ERP system also helps get reports on a company’s financial disposition. It integrates all the information, customers, vendors, and processes to achieve better results and smoother, more productive workflow.

ERP software is widely used by many industries, but for the finance sector, it is crucial in order to achieve efficient processes. The banking system is broad and complex. It deals with some operational challenges and issues, handles large volumes of information, has security concerns related to secrecy maintenance, and should comply with certain industry regulations. In this case, ERP in banking is a great solution to leverage all banking processes, such as creating financial reports, account management, ​cash accounting, payment processing, as well as security management.

Why Banks Need an ERP

The need for ERP for banks is largely due to the fact that the banking industry is constantly growing, offering a wider range of services and activities. As the number of services grows, so does the volume of data and transactions handled daily, ultimately increasing the risk of potential manual errors and requiring longer processing times.

In addition, the banking sector is actively adopting advanced technologies, such as AI and ML, which are changing the way people interact with banks. Here, an ERP system serves as a unified platform that seamlessly integrates these technologies into various banking processes and helps extract powerful insights from them. 

Another compelling reason for banks to use ERP is its powerful analytics capabilities. ERP systems can collect, consolidate, and analyze data from multiple sources, helping assess risks, make strategic decisions, and plan the future. Aside from that, they can provide valuable insights into customers’ behavioral patterns and expectations, allowing companies to tailor their services and build long-lasting relationships with their clientele. 

The fact that the income from ERP programming is projected to reach $48.21 billion by the end of 2025 not only proves the rapid development phase that ERP is currently undergoing but also indicates the necessity to implement it in the near future. 

Here are some more interesting statistics pointing to the growing importance of ERP systems in the banking industry:

• According to Computer Weekly, investing in an ERP is a priority for 53% of financial companies.
• 50% of companies are either already realizing the ERP system or planning to do so in the coming years.
• 49% of businesses reported a significant improvement in overall in-house business operations after implementing an ERP. 

All told, the banking ERP framework serves as the backbone of modern banking, providing a wealth of tools and capabilities required to thrive in a dynamic and competitive financial landscape. Its capabilities in managing data and facilitating routine work make it an indispensable tool for smaller and bigger industry players. 

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Benefits of Using ERP Software for Banking

A banking ERP system provides employees with a flexible yet less complex IT structure to cope with job-related activities faster.​​ Here are some more benefits of implementing such financial management software.​

1. Increased Efficiency

All banking processes are integrated into one platform, ensuring easy and fast access to all data needed across the bank and all the departments. All daily tasks, such as creating reports or filling in the data, are already automated with the banking ERP system. It’s possible to review the main KPIs on a dashboard so that managers can quickly flick through it. In addition, ERP for banks also eliminates repetitive working processes.

2. Smooth Collaboration

ERP in banking also enables effective and smooth collaboration between colleagues from different departments. Moreover, an ERP system facilitates collaboration with remote teams. An offshore or nearshore team will be available within a few clicks to ensure a productive workflow.

3. Increased Data Security

An ERP system offers firewalls to lower the risks of data breaches. You get one data warehouse and easily monitored access points to increase the security level. It will be possible to restrict terminated employees’ access faster and give them access to newly hired ones. An ERP system offers admins another level of transparency, helping them to detect unauthorized or suspicious activities. 

“We must pay close attention to security to develop a bank ERP solution. Security is a top priority in banking ERP systems to protect sensitive data and comply with GDPR, PCI DSS, and ISO 27001 regulations. Security includes traditional secure user authentication and authorization, data storage, and transmitting. We also should set up security information and event management for real-time monitoring and hardware security modules to store cryptographic keys.”

Mykola Pyvovarov, Delivery Manager, QArea

4. Reduced Operational Costs

An ERP system can help you save on operational costs and cut the budget. Thanks to banking ERP software, all processes are streamlined and monitored, preventing or quickly eliminating eventual breakdowns or disruptions. Addressing any occurring issues easier and faster enforces reducing operational expenditures. 

5. Strict Compliance With Regulations

The banking sector must comply with industry rules and regulations. An ERP solution incorporates regulatory standards and reports on compliance to help banks meet these strict requirements. This way, ERP for banks is not only about management efficiency but also about security and gearing up for bureaucratic demands.

6. Multi-Currency Support

ERP systems support multiple currencies, making them a smart choice for financial institutions with customers who have multi-currency accounts and branches spread across the globe.

7. Real-Time Data Analysis

ERP systems in banking offer real-time data analysis and reporting, enabling banks to monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) on the dashboard and make informed decisions. Real-time insights help banks identify trends, spot opportunities, and address issues immediately. 

8. Scalability

As banks grow, ERP systems can scale alongside them. Whether the bank is looking to expand operations, open new branches, or diversify its services, ERP systems can accommodate increased data volumes and user loads, ensuring seamless growth. 

9. Efficient Resource Allocation

ERP systems optimize resource allocation within banks. By automating routine tasks and processes, banks can allocate their human and financial resources more efficiently. Ultimately, this leads to cost savings and overall productivity gains.

10. Competitive Edge

Banks that embrace ERP systems gain a competitive edge in the financial sector. They can adapt to market changes quickly, introduce innovative services, and build a strong reputation in the eyes of their partners and clients. 

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Limitations to ERP in Banking

It would be unfair if we’ve only sung praise to banking ERP without even mentioning the challenges and limitations that can come your way should you decide to employ it. 

• Intricacies in calculating the final costs. Considering how complex these systems are, it is always a challenge to predict the exact cost of software, required adjustments, implementation, network updates, hardware, etc. Budgeting for ERP depends on too many factors, and, with a rather extended period of implementation needed, is also sensitive to inflation, local currency erratic jumps, etc. 

• Stretched implementation period. Implementing ERP for banks easily takes over a year (in some cases, significantly longer). A company should be at a certain level of maturity to plan implementation processes for over a year, possibly more. It won’t hurt to make sure key agents involved in this process on your side are not planning to change the workplace in the near future. 

• Opposition to change within the company. Even the most professional and engaged specialists are used to doing their work a certain way. Implementing banking ERP software inevitably provokes certain tension within the organization, as it comes with too many changes and hours of training. To make these processes easier, include your key specialists in the decision-making process as early as possible and make sure to plan training sessions for the “low” season. This way, you will have supporters advocating for these changes at lower management levels and people ready to learn instead of people terrified of deadlines. Adjust training to peak seasons in different departments, as those are different for Sales and Accounting. 

• Ongoing security and compliance updates. While it may be less true in the case of other industries, banking ERP is a commitment to constant updates related to new financial information security and other regulations. Some of the updates will become part of your system automatically, and some will require extra work, training, and costs. 

It is our experience that despite all the challenges and intricacies, ERP for banks is necessary both in terms of efficiency and security. However, being prepared to face challenges is always a good strategy, and we make it a priority to show two sides of the same coin to our clients. As you can see, an ERP system can be an asset for the banking industry. The advantages are immense. In order to take the overall productivity to the next level and facilitate daily activities, an ERP system is mandatory to be tried out.

So, at the end of the day, do you need a bank ERP system, or will your organization be better off without one? Here is a quick comparison of how financial businesses operate with and without an ERP solution in place to help you make the final decision.

How ERP Helps Explore New Opportunities

ERP in banking is not only useful for facilitating business operations but can also help in finding new opportunities for growth. Let’s take a look at how ERP can assist banks. 

• Customer segmentation. With the insights collected by ERP systems, banks can segment their customers into various groups based on their preferences, behaviors, payment history, frequency of transactions, and other criteria. This way, rather than bombarding customers with the same offers, they can tailor their financial advice and provide specialized financial products to boost customer satisfaction. 
• Enhanced marketing campaigns. By understanding customer behavior patterns and monitoring transactions, banks can bolster their marketing efforts, ensuring their offerings are timely, relevant, and highly appealing to clients. For example, if the system finds out that a group of customers who frequently use online banking have never tried mobile banking, the bank can launch a campaign promoting its mobile app to this specific group. 
• Penetrating new markets. Due to the multi-currency support of ERP systems, smaller financial institutions can look into expanding their reach into new markets, diversify their revenue streams, and extend their influence in the global landscape. 
• Cross-selling and upselling opportunities. By analyzing customer data, ERP systems can recommend complementary financial products or services to existing customers that are most likely to pique their interest and lead to a purchase. For instance, if the system indicates that a client has a substantial balance in their savings account, it can offer investment opportunities, such as certificates of deposit (CDs) or mutual funds, that offer higher returns. 
• Loan approval automation. ERPs can process loan applications quickly, reducing the time customers have to wait for a decision. As a result, this can enhance customer loyalty and improve retention rates. 

By and large, ERP adoption by banking organizations can help streamline existing workflows, boost engagement, and provide greater opportunities for growth and innovation. So, it’s not just ancillary software. This is a powerful tool without which banks may find themselves at a disadvantage in the competitive financial marketplace. 

Planning for ERP Implementation

Implementing ERP can be quite challenging. In fact, history knows many cases where inadequate planning and testing led to high-profile failures. One such example is Nike. In 2001, the company spent over $400 million on updating its ERP. However, because they didn’t test the software well enough before its launch, it failed, leading to a $100 million loss and a whopping 20% drop in stock prices. 

Hershey is another case worth mentioning when talking about implementation failures. The company made a couple of mistakes. First, they tried to realize the project in a very short timespan. And second, they chose the Halloween season for transition, which was the worst time as the staff was just too busy to learn. As a result, despite the fact that the company had most of the inventory in stock, it couldn’t process $100 million worth of Kiss and Jolly Rancher orders, leading to a 12% drop in sales and a 19% drop in profit. 

These cases show that implementation failures aren’t as rare as you might think. To give you some numbers, 50% of implementations fail the first time. However, these statistics shouldn’t discourage you. With careful planning, you can successfully implement ERP and avoid many costly mistakes. Let’s look more closely at the essential steps in ERP planning.

• Assess current banking operations. Before implementing an ERP system, banks need to thoroughly evaluate their existing processes and identify areas that need improvement. This can help them set realistic goals that won’t overburden their budget or put pressure on the staff. 
• Set objectives. The next step is to outline the goals and objectives that banks want to achieve. Whether it’s reducing operational costs, improving customer service, or enhancing risk management, it’s crucial to determine specific targets from the get-go. 
• Create a detailed budget. When the goals are clear, it’s essential to create a detailed budget, taking into account software licensing, hardware, training, and ongoing support costs. This will ensure that you stay in line with the allotted budget and implement your system on time. 
• Choose the right ERP solution. No less important is the solution itself. Banks have the choice of a custom-built system that can be tailored to their specific needs or an off-the-shelf solution. Both options have their pros and cons (which we’ll cover a bit later in the article), so it’s important to weigh them carefully before making a decision.   
• Build a cross-functional team. Last but not least, it’s important to build a cross-functional team that includes representatives from various departments such as finance, IT, customer service, and operations to ensure a holistic approach to ERP implementation. 

By following these steps, financial institutions can develop a solid implementation plan that will help avoid failures and set them on the right path to a smooth ERP system implementation.

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Custom ERP Solution vs. Off-the-Shelf Platform: Which Is Better?

There are a lot of ERP providers in the market, and most of them specialize in developing ready-made solutions. SAP, Microsoft, and Oracle are just a few representatives of the teams that offer ready-made ERP applications you could have heard of. At the same time, not all banks will benefit from opting for an off-the-shelf solution. Let’s cover the strengths and drawbacks of custom and premade ERP software for banking so you can see how they differ and choose the best option for you. 

Advantages of Custom ERP 

• Tailored to your needs. The most obvious benefit of customizable solutions is that they can precisely match your banking organization’s unique processes. So, instead of paying for features you don’t need — or, worse than that, features that interfere with your workflow, you invest in a system that perfectly suits your goals.
• Scalability. With a custom system, you get to decide how big or small the system can be. It can grow with your bank and adapt to changing demands without lags and disruptions.
• Competitive advantage. A custom solution can provide a competitive edge by allowing you to create features and functionalities that are unique to your bank. This can help you differentiate yourself from the crowd and attract more customers. 
• Data security. When it comes to protecting sensitive financial information, custom ERP systems, which provide complete control over data security measures, are a no-brainer choice.

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Drawbacks

• Cost and time. Perhaps the biggest drawback of a custom ERP system is that its development is time-consuming and entails high costs. Therefore, it might be less suitable for smaller financial organizations with restricted budgets. 
• Complexity. Custom development can be complex to build and maintain. You’ll most likely need a skilled development team and ongoing support for updates and maintenance, which will add up to the total bill. 

Advantages of Off-the-Shelf ERP Solutions

• Faster implementation. Off-the-shelf solutions are readily available and can be implemented more quickly than custom systems. This speed can be advantageous if the bank needs to make a shift from traditional software to ERP swiftly. 
• Lower initial cost. These solutions often have a lower upfront cost compared to custom development. Of course, you’d also need to pay licensing fees, but their cost is predictable and won’t overstrain your budget. 
• Vendor support. Reputable implementation partners often offer support, updates, and maintenance services, reducing the burden on your IT team.  

Drawbacks

• Limited customization. Even though off-the-shelf systems can be adjusted to some extent, they may not be able to fully meet your bank’s unique requirements. As a result, you’ll need to adapt your workflows to fit the software, which isn’t always the ideal solution. 
• Scalability challenges. Some off-the-shelf solutions may not scale well or may require expensive upgrades as your bank grows. 
• Less competitive differentiation. Since many banks may use the same premade solution, it can be challenging to stand out or offer unique features.  

As you can see, both options have their strengths and weaknesses. Off-the-shelf ERP systems are relatively easy to set up, allowing companies to quickly get started, while custom platforms support growth and can be extended with any features that can benefit your business. So, when making a choice, consider the size of your organization, budget, and unique requirements. To help you make the right decision, we have compiled all the important factors in one easily digestible comparison.

8 Key Components and Modules for Banking ERP

Whether you decide to build a custom solution from scratch or opt for a premade system, it’s important to make sure it contains all of the key modules and components. Here they are:

1. Profit Tracker

One of the most important features of ERP software is profit tracking. A profit tracker allows companies to closely monitor how their finances are spent and how much return they get from their endeavors. By tracking costs and understanding which assets bring the most value, banks can make changes to their strategies to achieve sustainable financial growth. 

2. Ledger Management

Another must-have component of an ERP system is ledger management that provides detailed reports of every financial exchange. Ideally, it should give you a clear map of all the changes in one spot, including payments, costs, resources, capital statements, and much more, so you can accurately assess your spending and implement cost-saving measures more effectively.

3. Accounts Payable

The Accountable Payable (AP) feature is a vital component of ERP that allows banking institutions to manage the finances they owe to other sellers, creditors, and banks. A great benefit of AP is that it can handle large volumes of financial data, reducing the likelihood of errors. Aside from that, it integrates payment data with the organization’s purchasing system, allowing you to track and control cash flows.  

4. Accounts Receivable

The Accounts Receivable (AR) is a module for managing customer cash debt. Banks use this function to automate installment assignments, invoice generation, payment reminders, record explanations, and many other similar tasks. Ultimately, this helps not only speed up payment collection but also simplify the payment process for clients, resulting in higher levels of customer satisfaction. 

5. Fixed Asset Management

As it comes from the name, this module is used to manage the organization’s tangible resources and assets, such as PCs, office equipment, hardware, vehicles, and so on. By automating the calculation of each asset’s depreciation over time, banks can get accurate financial reports, ensuring compliance with accounting standards and tax regulations. As an added bonus, tracking the lifecycle of assets allows organizations to make better decisions about when to replace, replace, or dispose of them, thus optimizing their costs. 

6. Risk Management

This component includes instruments for predicting and assessing possible risks associated with bank operations. For example, by taking credit risks under control, banks can rest assured that they have enough cash reserves to pay other creditors in case a client doesn’t make a payment on time. In the same vein, risk management features can add an extra layer of security, saving banks from reputational damage and compliance risks. 

7. Reporting

The reporting feature provides visibility into the financial health of a bank. Most often, these reports are meant for internal use, but it’s also possible to find modules with support for audit trails that provide a record of financial activities for external parties. Alongside financial reports, this module also includes analytics features. The latter is particularly helpful in assessing the bank’s stability and predicting future financial trends.  

8. Tax Management

The tax management feature is another important component that should be present in the ERP system. It covers various aspects of tax handling, including auditing, tax reporting, tax planning, and optimizing tax strategies, contributing to the overall financial health and stability of the bank. 

How to Build a Banking ERP System

Building an ERP system from scratch can be a good decision for fast-evolving finance organizations. While more expensive initially, this investment can pay you off with plenty of benefits in the long run, from easy scalability to greater security to outstanding customization tailored to your specific needs. However, creating an ERP platform can be quite overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. To make it a tad bit easier, we’ve mapped out the entire development journey, from the moment of finding the right partner to the final deployment stage. Let’s dig in. 

1. Plan and Analyze

Start by planning the system. It’s a good idea to engage the key staff that will be using the platform to see what features are on their wish list. This will help you focus on functionalities that are most important to your organization and cut out those no one actually needs. Also, take the time to analyze existing systems. By identifying what their strengths and weaknesses are, you can fill the gap with necessary features and get ahead of the curve. 

2. Find a Development Team

Once you’ve got an idea of what kind of ERP system you want to create, it’s time to find a development team. Of course, when you start looking for software engineers, you’ll have quite a number of options, but if you want to get a product that meets your standards, approach the selection process carefully. Here are some questions that can help along the way.

• Does the team have relevant experience? It goes without saying that teams that have hands-on experience in your niche are more likely to produce a better product compared to those that don’t. So, be sure to check out the team’s portfolio to see what they’ve done in the past. If possible, also talk to previous clients to learn what they think about the team’s work. Clients’ reviews and testimonials often speak volumes.
• How do they organize their work? Find out how the team organizes their work. Ideally, you want a team that doesn’t charge in full until they build and show you an MVP. In addition, they should follow agile methodologies to be able to quickly adapt if your needs change as you move forward. Talk through these questions at the beginning to avoid any misunderstandings later on. 
• What pricing model do they use? Most often, freelance developers work on hourly rates, although some teams prefer to charge a fixed price for the whole project. With that in mind, make sure to discuss the team’s preferred pricing model first thing to avoid frustration and hidden costs.  
• What tech stack do they use? Software developers are expected to be well versed, at least in a few technologies for backend and frontend, such as .NET, Java, Python, Angular, and jQuery. Plus, they need to have strong knowledge of cloud platforms like Azure, Oracle, and SQL.

“Custom ERP systems for banks typically require a robust and scalable technology stack to handle complex workflows, high transaction volumes, and strict security and compliance requirements. Traditionally, we divide solutions into backend and frontend. The backend handles business logic, data processing, and integrations with other systems like core banking solutions, regulatory systems, and third-party APIs. The front end focuses on delivering a seamless user experience for bank employees and administrators managing ERP processes.”

Mykola Pyvovarov, Delivery Manager, QArea

At QArea, we’ve got extensive experience creating ERP solutions for businesses, banks included. So, you can rest assured the product you’ll get will match the highest quality standards. Moreover, we offer our clients a personalized approach. Whether you’re looking for a partner to build a system from scratch, put together some parts of it, or test the product once it’s ready, we can assemble a team with the required qualifications. On top of that, our developers can work on your terms. If you prefer a fixed price or need more flexibility to give yourself some wiggle room, our team can help. 

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1. Prototyping

Now that you have a development team by your side, tell them about your requirements and goals. This will help them create a great prototype that aligns perfectly with your vision for the project.  

2. MVP Development

If the prototype looks right, the next step is MVP development. At this stage, developers create a simplified version of the software with a minimal set of features to quickly validate the viability of your idea and gather first customer feedback. This step is very important as it protects companies from failures caused by insufficient market research. 

3. ERP Development

If the MVP is successful, the team moves on to the actual development phase, where they build a full-fledged system. During this phase, they’ll design the system’s architecture, including databases, server infrastructure, and software components, and implement all the features, functionalities, and integrations necessary to meet your organization’s needs. 

“Banks require highly available, fault-tolerant, and scalable infrastructure. This can be achieved with the help of cloud providers that help build scalable cloud-based ERP solutions and apply containerization and orchestration to package ERP components and manage containers. Also, it’s worth looking into monitoring tools that provide performance monitoring and alerts, as well as centralized logging and analytics.”

Mykola Pyvovarov, Delivery Manager, QArea

4. QA and Testing

Before the product goes live, it undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it’s free from critical errors and meets preset QA standards. This includes functional testing, security testing, performance testing, and many more.  

5. Deployment

After the software is tested and debugged, it’s deployed in your organization’s environment. The final steps include installing the software on servers, migrating data, implementing any third-party integrations, configuring settings, and setting up user access permissions. 

6. Post-Deployment Support

Partnering with a development team gives you access to post-development support, a valuable resource that ensures your ERP system performs optimally once deployed and is scalable into the future. 

Benefits of Banking ERP API Integration

Once your ERP system is up and running, the next important step is to explore integration models. In general, there are two choices: add-ons and API. While both options have their benefits, APIs tend to be more popular due to their flexibility and customizability.

The adoption of APIs within the banking sector is on the rise. According to the Q3 2021 Developer Nation global survey, 68% of monetary enterprises are already using third-party APIs, and this number is expected to increase in the years to come. The reasons for this surge in popularity are quite clear.

First and foremost, APIs facilitate integration between diverse applications. They provide a powerful web with support for an array of third-party applications, enabling banks to expand their services and offerings without having to build everything from scratch. 

Also, they offer real-time data access, which is crucial in the fast-paced world of finance. Whether it’s checking account balances, tracking transactions, or processing payments, API integration ensures that the information is up-to-date and accurate. 

Moreover, unlike most other exchange systems, APIs are easier to integrate and maintain while offering a secure environment for exchanging sensitive financial data. 

Custom Banking ERP: Implementation Costs 

The cost of developing a custom banking ERP system depends on a number of factors, including:

• Project complexity;
• Developer’s location;
• Team size;
• Tech stack.

Naturally, building a system with a small set of features will be cheaper than building a feature-rich solution with extended functionality. To give you the gist, the average cost of a medium complexity project ranges from $120k to $200k, but something more advanced may cost $250k and more. The project cost may also vary slightly depending on the tech stack. For example, one hour of a Java developer costs $40, while the .NET developer’s rates stay within the $30 range.

Of course, the cost is directly related to the team composition, too. The more IT specialists are involved in the project, the higher the development cost. Plus, a lot depends on the development team’s location. These days, many companies, including banking, outsource ERP development to Asian countries, Eastern Europe, and South America to speed time-to-market and reduce development costs.

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Our Top Picks of Ready-Made Finance ERP Systems

If you’re looking for a ready-made ERP system to incorporate into your existing workflow, we’ve hand-picked a few finance SaaS solutions that are ideal for this purpose. 

Microsoft Dynamics 365  

Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a highly regarded finance ERP system that offers a comprehensive suite of predefined financial management tools. It provides features for financial reporting, budgeting, expense management, and financial analytics. With seamless integration with Microsoft Office applications and cloud capabilities, it offers scalability and adaptability for businesses of all sizes. 

SAP S/4HANA

SAP S/4HANA is an enterprise-grade finance ERP system known for its robust financial capabilities. It offers real-time financial analytics, cash management, financial planning, and compliance features. SAP’s extensive ecosystem of modules and industry-specific solutions make it a versatile choice for organizations with complex financial needs. 

Oracle NetSuite

Oracle NetSuite is a cloud-based finance ERP system that caters to businesses of all sizes. It provides a unified platform for financial management, including accounting, revenue recognition, billing, and financial planning. Its cloud architecture allows for easy scalability and accessibility from anywhere. 

QuickBooks Enterprise

QuickBooks Enterprise is a popular choice for small to midsize businesses, which offers a plethora of financial management features, including accounting, payroll, inventory management, and reporting. QuickBooks is best regarded for its ease of use and seamless integration with other business applications.

Sage Intacct

Sage Intacct is a cloud-based finance ERP system designed for growing businesses. It boasts extensive financial management capabilities, including but not limited to accounting, budgeting, revenue recognition, and multi-entity support. Sage Intacct’s flexibility and automation capabilities make it suitable for businesses experiencing rapid expansion. 

How Does AI Enhance ERP in Banking?

Artificial Intelligence has been among the hottest topics in the tech community for years now, and it seems like AI has made it into every single field of our everyday lives, from eCommerce to healthcare. ERP systems used in banking are no exception. AI-powered ERP modules bring significant innovation and value to banks, enabling them to stay competitive in a highly regulated and customer-centric industry.

Key Benefits of AI-Powered ERP Modules in Banks

• Efficiency. Automating repetitive tasks and workflows reduces operational costs and processing time.
• Accuracy. AI minimizes errors in compliance, reporting, and financial calculations.
• Scalability. AI-powered ERP systems adapt to growing data volumes and operational complexity.
• Risk reduction. AI improves fraud detection, risk management, and regulatory compliance.
• Customer experience. Personalization and faster response times improve satisfaction.

AI-powered ERP modules for banks enhance the functionality of traditional ERP systems by incorporating artificial intelligence to automate processes, improve decision-making, enhance security, and deliver a better customer experience.

“AI and machine learning services are also gaining popularity in banking ERP systems. We offer our clients AI tools like OCR to extract data from invoices, validate information, and match it against transactions. We also use these capabilities for automating branch reconciliation and cash flow tracking across multiple locations, as well as automating calculating user credit scoring for providing loans.”

Mykola Pyvovarov, Delivery Manager, QArea

Here’s a breakdown of how AI is used in ERP systems tailored for banking:

1. Intelligent Automation and Workflow Optimization

AI modules help banks automate repetitive tasks, allowing staff to focus on strategic functions. For example, AI-powered tools automate accounts payable/receivable, loan processing, and branch operations like reconciliation. Technologies like Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and AI workflow engines streamline processes and reduce errors, enhancing overall efficiency.

2. Predictive Analytics for Financial Insights

AI analyzes historical and real-time data to forecast future trends, helping banks make proactive decisions. For instance, AI predicts revenue, assesses loan defaults, and estimates customer lifetime value. Machine learning libraries such as TensorFlow and advanced analytics tools enable banks to gain deeper insights into their financial health and customer behavior.

3. Fraud Detection and Prevention

AI enhances security by detecting fraudulent activities in real time, minimizing financial losses. It monitors transactions for suspicious patterns, uses biometric authentication for identity verification, and flags insider threats. Fraud detection tools like Feedzai and Falcon help banks prevent fraud while maintaining secure customer interactions.

4. Personalized Customer Experience

AI helps banks offer a tailored customer experience by leveraging data for personalized recommendations. AI-powered chatbots assist with account queries, while recommendation engines suggest relevant products based on customer behavior. Technologies like NLP and deep learning allow banks to provide personalized financial advice, improving customer satisfaction and engagement.

5. Compliance Management

AI automates compliance management by monitoring transactions and preparing reports for regulatory requirements. It ensures banks adhere to anti-money laundering laws and verifies customer data for Know Your Customer processes. With AI-driven tools, banks can efficiently handle regulatory reporting, minimizing risks associated with non-compliance.

6. Dynamic Risk Management

AI-driven risk management modules detect potential issues in real time, helping banks mitigate risks before they escalate. These modules assess credit risk, predict market fluctuations, and monitor operational inefficiencies. AI models like Gradient Boosted Decision Trees and simulation engines help banks manage risk dynamically, reducing potential financial losses.

7. AI-enhanced Reporting and Dashboards

AI transforms reporting by generating actionable insights from ERP data. It creates natural language reports, real-time dashboards, and predictive reports to help banks make informed decisions. Tools like Power BI and Tableau, integrated with AI, provide clear, concise summaries of financial performance, highlighting key trends and potential issues.

8. Workforce Management with AI

AI optimizes workforce management in banking by analyzing employee performance, scheduling shifts, and predicting attrition. AI tools recommend training programs and promotions based on employee performance metrics. By forecasting staffing needs, AI ensures efficient branch and department operations, improving overall productivity and reducing turnover.

9. Loan Management and Credit Scoring

AI streamlines loan management by automating credit scoring and approval processes. It evaluates creditworthiness using traditional and non-traditional data sources, such as social media activity or utility payments. Platforms like Zest AI or FICO help banks make faster, more accurate lending decisions while reducing manual intervention and improving customer experience.

10. AI-Powered Financial Forecasting

AI enhances financial forecasting by predicting future cash flows and identifying growth opportunities. It simulates scenarios to evaluate the potential impacts of market or regulatory changes. Predictive tools like IBM SPSS and Google AutoML help banks make data-driven decisions on profitability, resource allocation, and strategic planning, leading to better financial outcomes.

Curious about AI, ML, or other cutting-edge tech? Let us show you how it can benefit your business.

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Trends in ERP Implementation for Banks

Fintech and banking are some of the fastest developing industries right now, which is why the technologies supporting them should grow accordingly fast to keep up with the changing needs of the businesses. Banking and finance ERP implementation is no exception: in addition to the tried and tested approaches, there are a few new technology trends equipped to better suit current banking requirements. Here are the most noteworthy present-day trends of ERP in banking.

Cloud Adoption on the Rise

Banks increasingly adopt cloud-based ERP systems, especially for non-critical modules such as analytics, CRM, and HR. Leading global ERP providers like SAP S/4HANA Cloud and Oracle ERP Cloud now offer tailored solutions for banks, ensuring compliance with industry regulations and addressing security concerns effectively.

Regulatory Pressure

In regions with stringent regulations, such as Europe, India, and the UAE, banks often prefer on-premises or hybrid ERP models. To address data sovereignty requirements, cloud vendors collaborate with local data centers, such as AWS and Azure, offering regional hosting solutions.

Neo-Banks and Fintech

Digital-only banks and fintech companies favor cloud ERP systems because of their affordability and flexibility. These solutions support the agility required by such organizations to innovate and scale quickly while keeping costs under control.

Conclusion

To sum it up, the technology and banking industry are now inextricably linked, and the adoption of modern ERP systems and APIs plays a key role here. It’s become imperative to leverage technological solutions to meet the evolving needs of customers and stay competitive in the modern financial market. Moreover, the ERP implementation stimulates business growth and innovation. 

There are many great off-the-shelf solutions that can be successfully implemented in banking. Particularly, entrepreneurs appreciate ERP systems mentioned above. Much cheaper compared to custom software, they can ideally suit businesses that are pressed for time and/or don’t need a lot of customization. That said, if you’re looking for full control over the system, maximum security and scalability, the best solution may be to build a custom solution from scratch.