When banks talk about modernization, they often focus on apps, customer experience, and product offerings. But there's data at the foundation of every conversation about growth, compliance, or partners' oversight. And for most banks, that data is stuck in silos. At the 2025 DCI Bankers Conference in Kansas City, our President, Lee, took the opportunity to engage with community bank leaders, DCI executives, and longtime operators in the space. The event wasn't about selling or speaking—it was about learning.
"Just learning about [DCI] was probably the best win from going to the conference,” Lee shared. “They’ve got a very cool business they’ve built, and you can see how much they value their people."
What is Data Center Incorporated?
DCI (Data Center Incorporated) is a core provider built by community banks, for community banks. It’s owned by about 30 institutions and serves some of the smallest banks in the country. Many of its team members have been there for decades, which says a lot about how they operate. The structure is built on shared ownership, long-term relationships, and a focus on stability—values that align with the banks they support. But as Lee noted after speaking with attendees, “The banks I was talking to were much smaller than the ones we work with. Maybe not the best fit for us, but it was a learning experience nonetheless.”
Deregulation Is Coming—But Is Your Data Ready?
Recent changes in the regulations are giving community banks more breathing room. However, without a centralized data strategy, that breathing room can become a blind spot. When regulations tighten, audits hit harder. When they loosen, banks are expected to innovate faster. Both demand visibility and control—something batch files and legacy systems can’t provide.
Siloed data slows everything down. From reconciliation and compliance reporting to fintech integrations and executive decision-making, banks lose time and insight when systems don’t talk to each other.
Unifying Data Starts with Respecting the Core
One thing was clear at the DCI Conference: core systems like DCI are essential in helping community banks operate with reliability and consistency. These platforms weren’t built to be flashy—they were built to be stable. And they’ve done that job well for a long time. But in our conversations with attendees, another theme emerged: banks are ready to do more with their data—they just don’t want to break what’s working.
That’s where iDENTIFY fits in.
We’re not here to replace the core. We build around it. By connecting data from core systems like DCI, third-party platforms, and fintech partners, we bring everything into one centralized environment that supports real-time access, compliance, and insight.
This approach means:
- Teams can finally stop chasing reports across disconnected systems
- Executives can see what’s happening in real time, not three days later
- Compliance and audit teams aren’t stuck in manual workarounds
- New partnerships can get off the ground without months of data prep
The banks we work with aren’t trying to be disruptive. They’re trying to get more out of the systems they already trust. We help them do that—securely, and without overcomplicating what already works.
What the DCI Conference Reinforced
Lee attended the DCI conference with one goal: to listen, observe, and better understand how community banks are navigating modernization.
"It was close enough to Tulsa that I decided to drive… My main intention was to spend some time with Jason Miles, one of my mentors,” Lee said. “But it ended up being a great look into how DCI operates and the banks they serve."
It also highlighted a real gap. Many of the institutions DCI supports are small, smaller than the banks iDENTIFY typically partners with. But that contrast made something clear: there’s a middle tier of banks ready for the next step—if they have the proper data foundation.
That gap between small and large? It’s real and where we’ve seen the most impact.
Build on What You Have. Unify What You Need.
Modernization doesn’t have to mean ripping out what’s already working. For most banks, the next step is to better use the systems and partnerships they already trust by connecting the data between them.
That’s the move: turning fragmented data into a single, reliable source that supports how your bank runs today—and how it adapts tomorrow.
These are our takeaways from the DCI Conference:
- Core systems are solid, but they weren’t built for real-time insight
- Batch files are still everywhere—and still slowing things down
- Compliance and partner oversight keep getting more complex
- There’s a growing need to move faster without creating risk
- Banks want to modernize, but they can’t afford disruption
If any of that sounds familiar, we’d love to show you how unifying your data can give you the clarity and control you’ve been looking for—without overhauling your core. iDENTIFY helps community banks move from outdated batch processes to a secure, real-time data infrastructure. We centralize your data so you can meet compliance demands, onboard partners faster, and confidently lead.
The DCI conference was a reminder of how much community banks are balancing—trust, regulation, growth, and legacy systems that weren’t built for today’s pace. For the smallest institutions, DCI is a steady and values-driven partner. But for that middle tier of banks—those navigating growth, complexity, and modernization—a different kind of support is required. That’s where we come in. Quietly, steadily, and with a data foundation built to match your ambition..
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