Banking modernization doesn’t just happen, it’s driven by people who challenge the status quo, embrace technology, and push the industry forward.
That’s why we’re thrilled to celebrate Jessica Brown and Nicolette Barbitta, recognized as 2025 nCino Champions. Out of thousands of nCino experts worldwide, only 16 were selected, and two of them are right here, leading the charge in banking innovation.
Their paths into banking technology were anything but traditional. Jessica started as an ‘accidental admin,’ while Nicolette discovered her passion for problem-solving over coding. Different backgrounds, same drive—helping banks work smarter, faster, and better.
Here’s a look at their journeys, insights, and what’s next for the industry.
From Accidental Admins to Industry Leaders
Jessica and Nicolette didn’t set out to become banking technology experts, but sometimes, the best careers happen by accident.
Jessica started as a teller, but her curiosity about technology quickly made her the go-to resource in loan operations. “People kept coming to me with tech questions, and I liked figuring things out,” she recalls. That problem-solving mindset led her to a pivotal moment: in 2013, her manager asked her to help evaluate a new platform called nCino.
She took on the challenge, while still juggling loan operations and government-guaranteed loans. “It was trial by fire,” she says. “But I saw the potential, and I was all in.” Over time, she became a champion for standardization, helping banks move away from over-customization and toward more scalable, efficient systems.
For Nicolette, the path was different but just as unexpected. She had always enjoyed helping people with technology, but the coding side wasn’t for her. “I liked making things work better, but I wasn’t a developer,” she says.
She was working at a copy repair company when a friend in HR encouraged her to apply for a role in banking. What started as a system implementation job soon turned into something bigger when she was introduced to nCino and Salesforce. “I saw the connection, and I knew I wanted to be part of it,” she says.
She dove into learning, Trailheads, admin podcasts, anything she could find. Before her bank even went live with nCino, she was already answering community questions and sharing insights.
The Champions Weigh in: What’s Next in Banking?
The next five years will bring major shifts, with efficiency and AI leading the charge.
Jessica sees speed as the priority, reducing clicks, streamlining workflows, and enabling faster decision-making. Banks are looking for automation, smarter integrations, and better user experiences to stay competitive.
Nicolette believes AI is already reshaping the industry, but adoption remains slow. “If a bank hasn’t started using AI yet, they’re already behind,” she warns. However, simple applications, like AI-powered job aids and document sorting—offer a low-risk entry point. Banks don’t need to overhaul everything overnight; they just need to start.
While some institutions will lead the charge, most will continue to lag. “Banking is naturally risk-averse, and transformation takes time,” Nicolette notes. “But the shift is happening.”
How nCino is Helping Banks Get There
As the industry changes, nCino is keeping pace. The platform is focused on automation, compliance, and enhancing the customer experience.
Jessica highlights how loan processing is now more streamlined, with centralized and integrated document prep and automated checklists reducing manual work. “Customer-facing employees can finally focus on relationships instead of paperwork,” she says.
On the AI front, nCino is making significant investments. Nicolette points out that “from credit memo summaries to intelligent document sorting, the platform is embedding AI in meaningful ways.” However, banks need clarity on how data is used, and addressing misconceptions will be key to adoption.
One of nCino’s biggest strengths? Adaptability. “They listen to customers, making continuous improvements,” Jessica adds
Thinking About nCino? Here’s What You Need to Know
Modernizing with nCino isn’t just about upgrading technology, it’s about rethinking the way your bank operates. Jessica and Nicolette have been through it and have a few words of wisdom for anyone considering the journey:
- Don’t just recreate existing processes. “If you build exactly what you already have, you won’t maximize nCino’s benefits,” Jessica warns.
- Pace yourself. “Not every feature needs to be implemented on day one, phased adoption works best,” she adds.
- Get buy-in from leadership and key stakeholders. “A core team of internal champions can make or break an implementation,” Nicolette emphasizes.
- Engage with the nCino community. “There’s a wealth of knowledge available, learning from others can accelerate adoption,” she says.
Leading the Way
Banking transformation isn’t just about efficiency, it’s also about people. Jessica and Nicolette have built their careers by challenging the status quo, finding smarter ways to work, and helping others do the same.
As technology continues to change, so does the opportunity for financial institutions to rethink how they operate. Want to explore how nCino can help your institution? Let’s start the conversation.
