Community banks are increasingly adopting embedded investment technology to compete with larger financial institutions and fintech platforms, and Sunstate Bank’s partnership with InvestiFi highlights how digital banking platforms are evolving to integrate wealth management directly into everyday banking experiences.
Sunstate Bank has officially announced a strategic partnership with InvestiFi, a leading provider of embedded investment solutions, to modernise its digital banking capabilities. By integrating the full suite of InvestiFi tools into its existing FIS core and digital platform, the Miami-headquartered bank will allow its customers to manage investments directly from their checking accounts. This move is part of a broader trend among community banks to offer sophisticated wealth management tools that were previously the exclusive domain of large national institutions and standalone fintech apps.
The new functionality provides account holders with several distinct paths to wealth building. Through the Guided Investing robo-advisory service, customers can access diversified portfolios that are automatically tailored to their individual financial goals and risk profiles. For those who prefer a more hands-on approach, the platform enables self-directed trading for stocks and Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs). Notably, the integration also includes access to cryptocurrency, allowing users to hold digital assets alongside their traditional fiat balances in a single, secure environment.
Sunstate Bank, which has been serving the South Florida community and international clients since 1999, is particularly focused on bridging the gap between traditional and digital finance. Fabricio Macastropa, the CFO and CISO of Sunstate Bank, noted that the partnership enables the institution to enhance its online platform by offering digital tools that complement traditional banking services. He emphasised that this innovation is a direct response to the evolving expectations of account holders who seek personalised, community-driven financial solutions combined with modern access to investment.
The technical implementation relies on the modular and API-first architecture of the FIS Modern Banking Platform. This “component-based” approach allows the bank to add new features—such as the InvestiFi trading engine—without a risky or expensive overhaul of its entire core system. By leveraging these open banking capabilities, Sunstate can provide a frictionless experience where funds can be moved instantly between a checking account and an investment sub-account. The platform also includes a robust library of financial education resources to help both new and experienced investors make informed decisions.
Sunstate joins a growing list of US financial institutions, including several prominent credit unions, that have tapped InvestiFi to strengthen their digital offerings. Kian Sarreshteh, the CEO of InvestiFi, stated that by embedding investing directly into its digital platform, the bank is empowering its members and simplifying the investment process. He explained that this model allows local institutions to compete and lead in the digital age while preserving the long-standing relationships and trust they have built with their communities over decades.
As the bank continues to serve its multilingual client base in the United States and Brazil, the addition of these tools provides a more comprehensive financial ecosystem. Whether customers are looking for tailored financing for commercial properties or a simple way to start a monthly investment plan, the unified platform serves as a one-stop shop for their financial needs. This strategic rollout ensures that Sunstate remains a competitive force in the South Florida market by delivering the high-tech capabilities that modern consumers demand.
Key takeaways
- Sunstate Bank has partnered with InvestiFi to integrate investment services directly into its digital banking platform
- Customers can manage investments, trading, and crypto holdings directly from their checking accounts
- The platform offers robo-advisory investing, self-directed stock and ETF trading, and cryptocurrency access
- Built on the FIS Modern Banking Platform with API-driven architecture for seamless integration
- Allows instant movement of funds between checking accounts and investment sub-accounts
- Reflects a growing trend of community banks embedding wealth management into digital banking apps
- Helps smaller banks compete with fintech platforms and large national institutions
Photo by Jakub Żerdzicki on Unsplash
