PLANO, Texas—Digital banking has become the dominant channel for retail banking customers and is playing an increasingly important role in business banking, according to a new report commissioned by Alkami and conducted by Cornerstone Advisors.
The companies said the newly released “2026 Digital Banking Performance Metrics Report” marks the first time the annual study has expanded beyond retail banking to include benchmarks for business digital banking.
According to the report, 87% of checking accounts are now associated with active digital banking users, while 82% of mobile banking users are considered actively engaged. The study also found that 51% of loan applications are now submitted through digital channels, which the report said is the first time digital lending has crossed the 50% threshold.
The report further found that financial institutions average 1.56 new products per digital banking user, reflecting what the study described as a connection between digital engagement and institution growth.
‘Three Things’
“Financial institutions need a digital banking metrics framework that does three things: focuses measurement on outcomes, not just activity; connects digital performance data to business goals; and distinguishes between metrics worth tracking and metrics worth managing to,” Ron Shevlin said in a statement released with the report. “There’s no limit to what a financial institution could measure.”
The research, now in its seventh year, found that retail digital banking adoption continued to rise between 2022 and 2025, including a nine-point increase in mobile activations. It also pointed to increased use of digital channels for lending and cross-selling.
Emerging Friction Points
At the same time, the report identified ongoing friction points, including account-opening abandonment despite investments by financial institutions to improve onboarding experiences. The study also said usage patterns for person-to-person payments and personal financial management tools are shifting as third-party providers compete more aggressively for customer engagement.
On the business banking side, the report found that adoption and engagement levels are also rising, though gaps remain in digital services that businesses increasingly expect from financial institutions.
Other Findings
Among the findings cited in the report:
• 78% of business accounts are active in digital banking on average
• 75% of business accounts actively use mobile banking applications
• 17% of financial institutions currently offer digital account opening for businesses, with just under 25% of business accounts opened online
• 20% of institutions offer online business loan origination, with 37% of business loan dollar volume originated online
According to the report, businesses that use treasury management services are generally using them actively, but many institutions still lag in offering features such as real-time payments, integrated payables and receivables, and cash-flow forecasting.
‘Primary Driver of Engagement’
“Digital banking has become a primary driver of engagement and growth for financial institutions, and having clear performance benchmarks is critical to making informed decisions,” Marla Pieton said in the release. “This report helps banks and credit unions better understand where they stand today, and where they can continue to evolve their digital strategies to meet the needs of both consumers and businesses.”
The companies said the report is intended to help banks and credit unions measure digital banking performance against industry benchmarks and connect digital engagement data to broader business goals.
Alkami said it will host a webinar on June 10 titled “From Metrics to Momentum: Turning Digital Banking Data into Measurable Growth,” focused on the report’s findings and strategies for translating digital performance metrics into business outcomes.
The full report can be accessed here.
