Ali Mattera, chief digital officer at ConnectOne Financial institution, is driving bankwide digital innovation.
“By aligning our know-how methods with the financial institution’s overarching objectives, I handle the challenges of legacy infrastructure whereas shaping the trail to implement cutting-edge options,” Mattera advised Financial institution Automation Information.


In an interview with BAN, Mattera mentioned which applied sciences the $9.6 billion Englewood Cliffs, N.J.-based financial institution is implementing, priorities for 2025 and the way she determines the place so as to add efficiencies on the financial institution. What follows is an edited model of that dialog.
Financial institution Automation Information: What improvements inside the financial institution have you ever spearheaded?
Ali Mattera: Two of the digital tasks we’re bringing to life embody the implementation of applied sciences from Mantl and VentureOn.
We’re creating a brand new digital language throughout the corporate, making certain that everybody is engaged, aligned and transferring in the correct route. We’re operating methods that allow us to realize these objectives, facilitating our journey towards a completely digital and modern banking atmosphere.
My obligations are each tactical and strategic, as I give attention to adopting new digital applied sciences all through the whole group. This includes making a complete strategy to integrating new applied sciences, which has a big affect on the corporate.
BAN: What shopper and worker experiences have you ever optimized as chief digital officer?
AM: Optimizing ConnectOne Financial institution’s digital platforms is a crucial a part of my work. We’ve built-in trendy applied sciences with our legacy methods, enhancing each client-facing and inner operations. By implementing applied sciences from Mantl and ZSuite, we streamline deposit origination and escrow administration. These instruments not solely elevate the shopper expertise but additionally enhance the worker expertise by lowering guide processes and boosting effectivity.
BAN: How do you establish what wants added efficiencies?
AM: To determine areas requiring added efficiencies, I collaborate intently with our enterprise strains, which collect insights from real-world utilization and prioritize enhancements primarily based on shopper and worker wants. I additionally personal mission administration as a part of digital isn’t just figuring out the correct resolution with my companions, however deploying the options in a lean, adaptive and methodical means. This strategy aligns with our dedication to delivering fast, significant change, which is more and more essential in at this time’s fast-paced world.
BAN: What rising applied sciences do you’ve got your eye on that could possibly be utilized inside ConnectOne?
AM: Within the coming years, a number of rising applied sciences are positioned to considerably affect the banking sector, together with funds, id verification, fraud prevention and embedded banking. Actual-time fee methods and digital wallets are reworking funds, providing shoppers sooner and extra handy transaction choices.
Because the world turns into extra real-time and cloud-based, superior fraud prevention applied sciences are essential to counter more and more refined fraudsters. Moreover, embedded banking is shortly evolving, integrating monetary companies into on a regular basis functions and platforms, making transactions extra seamless and enhancing shoppers’ digital experiences.
BAN: What’s your strategy to fostering a tradition of innovation at ConnectOne?
AM: At ConnectOne Financial institution, fostering a tradition of innovation begins with the sturdy management of Frank Sorrentino, CEO, and Elizabeth Magennis, president, who set up a transparent directive that innovation is significant to the financial institution’s success.
ConnectOne Financial institution embodies a dedication to creating an atmosphere the place trendy and modern pondering isn’t just inspired however anticipated. This tradition permits us to take daring steps in tackling legacy infrastructure, which most banks our measurement aren’t doing. The truth is, we now have a job carved out for innovation to discover alternatives within the market and form methods to deploy inside ConnectOne.
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