Replacing a bank’s core system is one of the most complex technology projects a financial institution can undertake. More banks are now trying to reduce reliance on older systems and change more of their operations to cloud-based platforms. Reporting on the SBS Bank project points to a trend among smaller and mid-sized banks to modernise core systems without building everything in-house.
SBS Bank is starting a multi-year overhaul of its core banking system, changing the technology that runs everyday banking to Engine by Starling, the banking Software-as-a-Service business of Starling Group. Deloitte New Zealand has been appointed as implementation partner for the programme. Deloitte said the project is the start of a transformation that will support a more modern and secure banking experience over time.
Core banking systems manage products like accounts and loans, recording transactions and balances, and supporting day-to-day banking services. As IT Brief noted in its coverage of the SBS project, many incumbent banks in the region still run legacy platforms that can be costly and complex to change.
By upgrading to Engine’s cloud-native banking platform, SBS Bank said its members will gain access to digital onboarding, account features, and smart money management tools through a new mobile app. The bank also aims to streamline internal operations and reduce complexity for teams. SBS Bank said member-facing changes are expected from late 2027.
Cloud core platforms gain ground in banking
Cloud-based core systems have become more common in banking as institutions look for ways to modernise without replacing every part of their technology environment at once. Traditional core systems were often built around on-premises infrastructure and closely tied to other older software, making upgrades slow and difficult. IT Brief said specialised vendors have expanded the market for modular, cloud-hosted core banking platforms over the past decade, offering an alternative to large in-house rebuilds or older packaged systems.
That is the context around the SBS Bank project. The bank is replacing a core platform with one developed by a digital bank and offered to other institutions as a software service. Reuters reported on February 23 that SBS Bank signed a 10-year partnership with Starling, upgrading its banking systems to the Engine platform.
Multi-year overhaul with external partners
Large core system replacements usually take years and involve changes in technology and service delivery. Deloitte said it will support SBS Bank through its multi-year programme and bring delivery experience from Australia and the UK with its New Zealand team. The project will also use Deloitte’s Converge BankingSuite. From the bank’s perspective, the programme is about changing how it works internally.
SBS Bank’s decision reflects the fact that many banks are considering modular, cloud-hosted platforms as a way to simplify upgrades and reduce some of the burden of maintaining older systems. That does not remove the difficulty of a core replacement, which still requires major work around migration and change management. IT Brief noted that combining a vendor platform with a systems integrator can reduce the need for internal software engineering.
Engine by Starling originated from the technology built for Starling Bank’s own operations. SBS Bank’s own release added that Engine “powers the daily banking of millions of customers globally,” including users at Starling in the UK, Salt Bank in Roumania, and AMP in Australia.
Member-facing changes at SBS Bank are not expected immediately, but the bank has said it’s a long-term rebuild of the systems behind everyday banking.
(Photo by Austin Distel)
See also: AI demand pushes companies to invest billions in cloud infrastructure
Want to learn more about Cloud Computing from industry leaders? Check out Cyber Security & Cloud Expo taking place in Amsterdam, California, and London. The comprehensive event is part of TechEx and is co-located with other leading technology events, click here for more information.
CloudTech News is powered by TechForge Media. Explore other upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars here.
