This episode highlights the critical need for digital banking solutions that function as open platforms, allowing for seamless third-party integrations. It emphasizes that beyond standard features, financial institutions require the flexibility to incorporate new fintech offerings efficiently. The piece advises on crucial questions to ask potential vendors regarding their integration capabilities, API availability, and control over production releases, aiming to prevent long waits or vendor limitations after contract signing. The podcast hosts also suggest questions for vendor references to gauge real-world integration experiences, including who performed the work, its duration, and cost.