For seven years, Alkami and Cornerstone Advisors have been tracking how well banks and credit unions are performing in the digital arena.
Their latest 2026 Digital Banking Performance Metrics Report just dropped, and this time there’s a plot twist: business banking metrics are finally part of the conversation.
Think of this as moving from counting how many people downloaded your app to actually measuring whether they’re using it to, you know, bank. It’s the difference between vanity metrics and the numbers that actually matter.
Retail Banking: Mobile Is Eating Everyone’s Lunch
The retail side of things shows digital banking isn’t just a nice-to-have anymore—it’s basically how people bank now. Mobile activations jumped nine points between 2022 and 2025, and here’s the real headline: digital loan applications finally crossed the 50% mark. That’s right, more than half of loan applications are now happening online, probably while people are still in their pajamas.
But wait, there’s more. The average digital banking user is picking up 1.56 new products through digital channels. That might not sound sexy, but it means people who engage digitally are actually deepening their relationship with their financial institution—not just checking their balance and bouncing.
The Numbers That Matter
Ron Shevlin, chief research officer at Cornerstone Advisors, put it perfectly: financial institutions could measure approximately a million things, but that doesn’t mean they should. The key is focusing on outcomes instead of just activity, and connecting those digital performance numbers to actual business goals.
Here’s what the retail banking side looks like in real terms:
- 87% of checking accounts are linked to active digital banking users—digital adoption is basically standard operating procedure now
- 82% of mobile banking users are actively engaged, cementing mobile as the primary way people interact with their money
- 51% of loan applications come through digital channels, marking a genuine milestone for digital lending
- Financial institutions are averaging 1.56 new products per digital banking user, proving engagement drives growth
Of course, it’s not all smooth sailing. Account opening abandonment is still a thing despite banks throwing money at the problem, and person-to-person payment tools are facing stiff competition from third-party apps. (Looking at you, Venmo and Cash App.)
Business Banking: Welcome to the Party (We Saved You a Seat)
This is the first time the report includes business banking benchmarks, and the picture is… mixed. The good news? Businesses that use treasury services are actually using them. The not-so-good news? There are some glaring gaps in what financial institutions are offering.
Digital account opening for businesses, online loan origination, real-time payments, integrated payables and receivables, cash flow forecasting—these are the table stakes features that growing businesses expect. Not all institutions are delivering yet.
Here’s where business digital banking stands:
- 78% of business accounts are active in digital banking on average—pretty solid engagement
- 75% of business accounts are actively using mobile apps—business owners are just as glued to their phones as consumers
- Only 17% of financial institutions offer digital account opening for businesses, though nearly 25% of their business accounts are opening online when it’s available
- Just 20% of institutions offer online business loan origination, but those that do see 37% of their business loan dollar volume coming through digital channels
Why This Matters
According to Marla Pieton, VP of brand, public relations and influencer marketing at Alkami, digital banking has become the primary driver of both engagement and growth. Having clear performance benchmarks isn’t just nice—it’s critical for making smart decisions about where to invest and how to evolve.
The report basically gives banks and credit unions a reality check on where they stand and where they need to go. Because in 2026, digital banking performance isn’t about whether you have a mobile app. Everyone has a mobile app. It’s about whether that app actually helps your institution grow and keeps your account holders engaged.
And now, for the first time, business banking is part of that equation. Better late than never, right?
Related:
Alkami Engage Debuts at Co lab to Help Financial Institutions Secure the Digital Adoption
New Cornerstone Advisors Research Finds Community Banks and Credit Unions Only Halfway to Successfully Leveraging Their Data