By Andy Montgomery, CEO of FMS Bank
Financial technology is transforming how we bank. Whether it’s virtual access to products, lightning-fast algorithms, or AI-powered chatbots, tech is making financial services more efficient and accessible than ever.
In fact, Stablecoin (digital, cryptocurrency tied to the U.S. dollar) alone has the capacity to transform the entire payments industry and how consumers and businesses interact with a bank.
Is There Still a Place for Human Bankers?
I believe the answer is a resounding yes.
For more than a century, community banks have offered something technology can’t: personalized service and trusted relationships. While many of these banks are integrating digital tools (like virtual account openings, expense trackers, and 24-hour bots) they’re also holding onto what makes them unique: access to real people and real decision-makers.
Why Human Connection Still Matters
Let’s face it: you don’t need a person…until you really need a person. When the chatbot can’t understand your issue. When you have an emergency and need reassurance. When your situation is too complex for a yes-or-no answer.
This is especially true for small business owners, who often need to explain context or talk through challenges. AI isn’t built to hear your story. A community banker is.
These bankers have stood by entrepreneurs through every stage: launch, growth, crisis, and success. Many become unofficial advisors, drawing from years of experience across industries.
The Banks of the Future
To stay relevant, all banks must embrace technology. Those that don’t risk becoming obsolete as younger generations demand more digital options.
But here’s the thing: even Millennials and Gen Z will eventually face complex financial decisions.
And when they do, they’ll want a human being they can trust, not just an app. The future of banking isn’t one or the other. It’s both. Technology is changing the game. But human relationships still win it.
