First Commerce Bank, a $1.8 billion-asset community bank headquartered in Lakewood, announced a strategic partnership with global financial technology leader FIS® to transition to the FIS HORIZON core banking platform.
The move marks a significant step in the bank’s long-term technology strategy, designed to ensure it remains competitive against both national institutions and digital-only challengers. By adopting the API-enabled HORIZON ecosystem, the bank aims to modernize its architecture and prepare for an AI-driven future.
As community banks face increasing pressure to innovate, First Commerce Bank sought a partner capable of integrating flexible fintech solutions while maintaining the high-touch service model it is known for. The FIS HORIZON platform was selected for its ability to manage the entire “money lifecycle” on a single, integrated platform.
Key benefits of the new partnership include:
- Fintech Connectivity: The platform’s open API architecture simplifies third-party integrations, allowing the bank to scale its service offerings efficiently.
- AI-Powered Capabilities: The transition positions First Commerce Bank to implement advanced features such as agentic commerce tools and standardized data feeds, enabling deeper, AI-driven customer insights.
- Operational Flexibility: The platform supports a wide range of modern banking requirements, from real-time payments to embedded finance solutions.
“Modernizing your core banking technology is one of the most consequential decisions a bank makes,” Gregory Garcia, chief operating officer at First Commerce Bank said. “We chose FIS because of the strength of the HORIZON platform and because the team demonstrated a real commitment to our success throughout the process. We’re confident we have the right partner to help us grow and serve our customers well.”
The partnership underscores a broader trend among New Jersey’s regional financial institutions, which are increasingly prioritizing digital agility to better serve local business and consumer needs.
“Community banks need more than modern technology, they need a partner that is invested in their long-term success,” Melissa Cullen, head of Regional and Community Banking at FIS said. “First Commerce Bank is building for the future, and FIS HORIZON gives them a flexible, modern foundation.”
