Core banking is a banking service provided by a group of networked bank branches where customers may access their bank account and perform basic transactions from any of the member branch offices.
Core banking is often associated with retail banking and many banks treat the retail customers as their core banking customers. Businesses are usually managed via the corporate banking division of the institution. Core banking covers basic depositing and lending of money.
Core banking functions will include transaction accounts, loans, mortgages and payments. Banks make these services available across multiple channels like automated teller machines, Internet banking, mobile banking and branches.
Banking software and network technology allow a bank to centralise its record keeping and allow access from any location.
Video Core banking
History
Core banking became possible with the advent of computer and telecommunication technology that allowed information to be shared between bank branches quickly and efficiently.
Before the 1970s it used to take at least a day for a transaction to reflect in the real account because each branch had their local servers, and the data from the server in each branch was sent in a batch to the servers in the data center only at the end of the day (EOD).
Over the following 30 years most banks moved to core banking applications to support their operations creating a Centralized Online Real-time Exchange (or Environment) (CORE). This meant that all the bank's branches could access applications from centralized data centers. Deposits made were reflected immediately on the bank's servers, and the customer could withdraw the deposited money from any of the bank's branches.
Banks have the largest share in the core banking solution market and are likely to remain so for some time. Banks have a market attractiveness index of 5.0 by end user, substantially more than that of financial institutions in the core banking solution market. The bank segment is predicted to grow with the highest CAGR of 5.6% from 2017 to 2027. Branch less banking is a new trend that should benefit the core banking solution market as it allows banks cater to the requirements of their customers in far-off rural areas who are unable to access physical banks. This is particularly relevant in underserved emerging economies such as APEJ and Latin America. Future Market Insights has comprehensively assessed the core banking service market that is on track to witness a robust CAGR of 5.1% for the forecast period 2017-2027.
Maps Core banking
Software
Advancements in Internet and information technology reduced manual work in banks and increasing efficiency. Computer software is developed to perform core operations of banking like recording of transactions, passbook maintenance, interest calculations on loans and deposits, customer records, balance of payments and withdrawal. This software is installed at different branches of bank and then interconnected by means of computer networks based on telephones, satellite and the Internet.
Gartner defines a core banking system as a back-end system that processes daily banking transactions, and posts updates to accounts and other financial records. Core banking systems typically include deposit, loan and credit-processing capabilities, with interfaces to general ledger systems and reporting tools. Core banking applications are often one of the largest single expense for banks and legacy software are a major issue in terms of allocating resources. Spending on these systems is based on a combination of service-oriented architecture and supporting technologies.
Many banks implement custom applications for core banking. Others implement or customize commercial independent software vendor packages. Systems integrators like Cognizant, EdgeVerve Systems Limited, Capgemini, Accenture, IBM and Tata Consultancy Services implement these core banking packages at banks.
Choosing right core banking solution is again a tough task for banks its not always that easy to select right core banking solution.
Open source Technology in core banking solution or software can help banks to maintain their productivity and profitability at the same time.
Providers
While larger financial institutions may implement their own custom core, community banks and credit unions tend to outsource their core systems to system providers. While there is no consensus or a public register on the actual Core Banking Providers, various market research companies like Gartner or Forrester Research release annual deal surveys mentioning platform deals
References
Source of the article : Wikipedia