Northrim selects Narmi for digital banking overhaul

Northrim Bank has selected Narmi for a digital banking overhaul that will combine online account opening and digital banking for the $3.4 billion Alaska-based lender, Narmi said. The Northrim Narmi digital banking project is aimed at customers across Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, where distance can make branch-based service difficult for some communities.

Narmi said Northrim chose its platform after reviewing options for a “digital front door” that could help the bank compete with larger national institutions. For a regional bank serving locations from Ketchikan to Nome, the investment is tied to the practical limits of physical access as much as to customer preference.

Nathan Reed, executive vice-president and chief information officer at Northrim Bank, said customers expect banking services to be easy to use regardless of where they live. He said the bank saw Narmi’s knowledge of FIS IBS, transparency and support model as factors in the selection.

What is Northrim using Narmi One for?

Northrim plans to use Narmi One for streamlined account opening and an integrated digital banking platform, according to Narmi. In practical terms, that means the bank is seeking to connect the process of becoming a customer with the digital channels customers use after an account is opened.

Account opening is a central component of digital banking because it affects how quickly a bank can convert interest into an active customer relationship. Digital banking platforms then support routine services such as account access and day-to-day customer interactions, though Narmi did not detail the full product scope of the Northrim rollout in its announcement.

Narmi co-founder Nikhil Lakhanpal said community banks can pair local trust with stronger digital tools. He said the company would work with Northrim as the bank serves customers and communities across Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.

Why does FIS IBS matter in the project?

FIS IBS is Northrim’s core banking system, according to Narmi. A core system records and processes a bank’s essential account and transaction data, so digital banking providers often need to integrate with it for customer-facing channels to function reliably.

Lakhanpal said Northrim adds to Narmi’s client base among banks using FIS IBS. He also said those institutions show that banks can keep an existing FIS IBS core and related FIS integrations while deploying the Narmi One platform.

The project reflects a broader push by regional and community banks to strengthen digital service without abandoning relationship-led banking, according to Narmi. For Northrim, the stated aim is to offer more convenient digital access while preserving the local service model it uses in its markets.

Narmi describes itself as a provider of digital banking solutions for financial institutions and as an AI-powered digital banking company. Northrim’s selection gives the vendor another regional bank client in a market where geography makes digital delivery a central part of retail banking operations.

This story draws on original reporting from Finextra Research.