The banking sector stands at a strategic inflection point. As digital-native consumers, evolving regulatory frameworks, and fintech challengers reshape the banking landscape, incumbent banks face a stark reality: their legacy core systems are no longer fit for the future.

This strategic white paper offers an executive-level analysis of how banks can move from monolithic infrastructure to agile, cloud-native platforms without compromising stability, compliance, or customer trust. Drawing on real-world transformation challenges and proven frameworks, it explores:

• The four external forces accelerate modernization, from embedded finance to regulatory shifts.
• Why is modernization a strategic imperative tied to growth, cost efficiency, and innovation?
• A practical roadmap: from aligning leadership to choosing the right modernization model (re-platform, re-factor, coexist, or replace).
• Build, buy, or hybrid: Evaluating core banking strategies that balance control, speed, and long-term resilience.
• The modernization payoff: Faster product delivery, real-time compliance, predictive personalization, and operational agility

Core modernization is no longer a future aspiration but a present necessity. The white paper clarifies how to modernize and lead through the transformation.