People First Bank is moving toward a fully modernised technology stack that it expects to complete by late 2027, according to chief technology and transformation officer Andy Weir. The plan includes a new Fiserv core, a Backbase‑driven digital platform and an end‑to‑end lending system, all aimed at a cloud‑based, evergreen environment.
Timeline and key milestones
The merger of People’s Choice and Heritage Bank in mid‑2023 set the stage for the overhaul. The bank’s brand launched publicly in May, and the digital banking app, website and online experience went live shortly thereafter. Early user reviews have been positive, with ratings between 4.4 and 4.6 in app stores.
Customer migration of the remaining Heritage Bank accounts is slated for the same late‑2027 window. The new lending platform is expected to go live about a month after the core banking system, according to Weir’s comments on the iTnews Podcast.
In the next twelve months, the bank will decommission legacy systems while finalising the cloud migration. Weir described the remaining work as “major deliveries” that are “within touching distance.”
Components of the new technology stack
The modernised suite centers on a Fiserv core banking platform. On the front end, Backbase powers the digital banking app, website and online portal, delivering a unified customer interface. Supporting systems include Salesforce for customer service and Vonage for communications.
Back‑end architecture has been kept deliberately simple. Weir said the bank avoided heavy customisation to ensure resilience, security and easier upgrades, especially as AI capabilities become more relevant.
Integration of authenticated messaging, CRM links and enhanced anti‑fraud tools is intended to cut the number of phone calls and branch visits that were common with the previous apps.
Strategic pillars and design philosophy
Weir outlined three strategic pillars guiding the effort: simplicity, digital enablement and doing good. “We believe in elegant simplicity,” he said, noting that many organisations over‑engineer features. The bank chose to focus on core functionalities that customers value most.
That mindset extends to the backend. By limiting custom code, the platform can more readily adopt emerging technologies and maintain a secure posture. The approach mirrors larger institutions such as Westpac and its Unite programme, which also seeks to consolidate and simplify technology assets.
In practice, the bank’s decisions were made early. Before the merger, about 98 percent of target technology choices had already been settled, according to Weir. This pre‑merger planning helped avoid duplicated effort once the two brands combined.
While the bank’s modern stack resembles moves by bigger players, its scale is distinct. The consolidation of two regional entities into a single, cloud‑native platform is less common and reflects a broader trend of community banks adopting enterprise‑grade technology.
Customer impact and early feedback
Since the digital platform’s launch three months ago, customer satisfaction scores have risen. The app’s rating outperforms the older versions, which had more features but lower user scores. Weir attributes this to a “slicker, more intuitive, and more pleasing experience.”
A flat paragraph of facts follows: the new core banking system processes transactions in real time, the lending platform supports end‑to‑end loan origination, and the CRM integration reduces average call handling time by 15 percent.
The bank also expects operational efficiencies. With the new system, staff can access a single source of truth, reducing manual data entry and error rates. Brokers will benefit from a streamlined workflow that aligns with the bank’s digital tools.
Looking back, the consolidation resembles past regional bank mergers where technology gaps slowed integration. Those earlier efforts often left legacy systems running side by side for years, creating higher maintenance costs. People First Bank’s pre‑emptive alignment of technology decisions appears to sidestep that pitfall, offering a cleaner transition path.
As the 2027 deadline approaches, the bank remains focused on delivering the remaining pieces of its stack. Weir expressed confidence that the “simple, modern, cloud‑based and evergreen” architecture will be in place, positioning the institution for future growth and innovation.
