# Cullen/Frost Bankers: Technology stack

Source: https://www.bankingnewsai.com/banks/frost/technology-stack
Last updated: Oct 16, 2026

*Part of the [Cullen/Frost Bankers AI strategy profile](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/banks/frost).*

## What technology stack does Frost Bank run?

Frost builds its customer-facing technology and buys specialist platforms behind it. CEO Phil Green called the mobile app 'self-developed' in the 2024 annual report, and Jimmy Stead was on the team that built Frost's online banking and app. Underneath, a core banking modernization reported in the August 2026 investor deck has 66% of tier-one capabilities modernized and 40% in the cloud, up from 47% and 16% in 2021, with targets of 91% (43% cloud) in 2027 and 100% (53% cloud) from 2028. Completed work includes data-center and network modernization, mainframe upgrades, a contact-center conversion and fraud and sanctions screening; debit card, wires, disputes and commercial loan systems are next. Cloud is the cost line that moves: cloud services expense rose $10.2 million in 2023, $9.2 million in 2024 and $10.3 million in 2025, per the 10-Ks. Named platforms include Blend (lending since 2020, deposits since 2021), Plaid Exchange (2022), Atomic, Finzly for FedNow and RTP, Derivative Path for OTC derivatives (November 2025) and LivePerson in the contact center. Frost does not name its cloud provider or core banking vendor. ([Cullen/Frost Bankers (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/39263/000003926325000047/ars2024.htm), [Frost Bank](https://www.frostbank.com/leadership/jimmy-stead), [Cullen/Frost Bankers (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/39263/000003926326000049/a2q-2026finalinvestorpre.htm), [Cullen/Frost Bankers (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/39263/000003926324000013/cfr-20231231.htm), [Cullen/Frost Bankers (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/39263/000003926325000017/cfr-20241231.htm), [Cullen/Frost Bankers (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/39263/000003926326000011/cfr-20251231.htm), [Blend (Business Wire)](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211013005818/en/Blend-and-Frost-Bank-Extend-Partnership-into-Mortgage-Consumer-Banking-and-Deposits), [The Financial Brand](https://thefinancialbrand.com/news/open-banking/how-and-why-frost-bank-embraced-open-banking-data-sharing-137574), [Business Wire via FinTech Futures](https://fintechfutures.com/press-releases/frost-bank-improves-customer-experience-with-atomic-direct-deposit-switch), [FinTech Futures](https://fintechfutures.com/instant-real-time-payments/frost-bank-in-texas-taps-finzly-for-instant-payments), [Derivative Path via Banking Dive](https://www.bankingdive.com/press-release/20251124-frost-bank-implements-derivative-path-to-power-otc-derivatives-business/), [LivePerson (PR Newswire)](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/liveperson-delivers-measurable-returns-on-ai-investments-to-enterprises-across-the-globe-302256473.html))

## How far has Frost's core banking modernization progressed?

From the 'Technology Highlights' slide of the Q2 2026 investor presentation (filed August 17, 2026). Frost does not define 'tier-one capabilities' further.

| Milestone | Tier-one capabilities modernized | Share in the cloud | Status | Sources |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2021 | 47% | 16% | Baseline | [Cullen/Frost Bankers (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/39263/000003926326000049/a2q-2026finalinvestorpre.htm) |
| Today (August 2026) | 66%, including 8 new capabilities | 40% | Reported | [Cullen/Frost Bankers (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/39263/000003926326000049/a2q-2026finalinvestorpre.htm) |
| 2027 | 91% | 43% | Target | [Cullen/Frost Bankers (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/39263/000003926326000049/a2q-2026finalinvestorpre.htm) |
| 2028 and after | 100% current and on a regular update schedule | 53% | Target | [Cullen/Frost Bankers (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/39263/000003926326000049/a2q-2026finalinvestorpre.htm) |
| Completed projects | Data center and network modernization; RTP/FedNow receive; public cloud expansion; mainframe upgrades; contact center conversion; fraud and sanction screening modernization | n/a | Done | [Cullen/Frost Bankers (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/39263/000003926326000049/a2q-2026finalinvestorpre.htm) |
| 2026 and beyond | Debit card conversion; consumer wires; RTP/FedNow send; wires conversion; disputes and adjustments conversion; commercial loan system conversion; customer single sign-on | n/a | Planned | [Cullen/Frost Bankers (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/39263/000003926326000049/a2q-2026finalinvestorpre.htm) |

## How much is Frost spending on technology and cloud?

Frost reports technology inside 'technology, furniture and equipment' expense. Figures as stated in each 10-K's discussion of noninterest expense.

| Period | Technology, furniture and equipment expense | Cloud services | Source | Sources |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2023 | Up $14.5 million, or 12.0%, on 2022 | Up $10.2 million | 10-K for 2023 | [Cullen/Frost Bankers (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/39263/000003926324000013/cfr-20231231.htm) |
| Q2 2024 | Technology spend of $35.9 million, up 8% year on year | Not broken out | Bank Automation News | [Bank Automation News](https://bankautomationnews.com/allposts/ai/inside-look-frost-banks-ai-and-payments-strategy) |
| 2024 | Up $13.2 million, or 9.8%, on 2023 | Up $9.2 million | 10-K for 2024 | [Cullen/Frost Bankers (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/39263/000003926325000017/cfr-20241231.htm) |
| 2025 | Up $17.3 million, or 11.6%, on 2024 (software maintenance up $4.9 million) | Up $10.3 million | 10-K for 2025 | [Cullen/Frost Bankers (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/39263/000003926326000011/cfr-20251231.htm) |

## Which technology vendors does Frost use?

Only vendors named in a release, filing or interview about Frost. AI status as the source describes it.

| Vendor | What it runs | AI | Since | Sources |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Zelle | Send Money with Zelle in the Frost app; Stead was an original member of the Zelle advisory team | No | September 14, 2017 | [Frost (PR Newswire)](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/frost-partners-with-zelle-to-launch-send-money-with-zelle-service-via-the-frost-app-300519679.html) |
| Blend | Home equity first, extended in 2021 to mortgage, consumer banking and deposits on one platform; 2026 results: completion 80%, manual review 3% | Automation; agentic Autopilot use not disclosed | 2020; extended October 13, 2021 | [Blend (Business Wire)](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211013005818/en/Blend-and-Frost-Bank-Extend-Partnership-into-Mortgage-Consumer-Banking-and-Deposits), [Business Wire via FT Markets](https://markets.ft.com/data/announce/full?dockey=600-202608180800BIZWIRE_USPRX____20260818_BW315276-1), [Business Wire via FT Markets](https://markets.ft.com/data/announce/full?dockey=600-202608200800BIZWIRE_USPRX____20260820_BW158280-1) |
| Plaid | Plaid Exchange API for about 400,000 customers, with a 'Manage Connections' control in the app; 'Plaid never sees our customers' user ID and password' (Stead) | No | Early 2022 | [The Financial Brand](https://thefinancialbrand.com/news/open-banking/how-and-why-frost-bank-embraced-open-banking-data-sharing-137574) |
| LivePerson | Conversational platform and generative-AI agent efficiency tools for the human contact center | Yes (agent assist) | Relationship of more than three years by July 2024 | [Bank Automation News](https://bankautomationnews.com/allposts/ai/inside-look-frost-banks-ai-and-payments-strategy), [LivePerson (PR Newswire)](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/liveperson-delivers-measurable-returns-on-ai-investments-to-enterprises-across-the-globe-302256473.html) |
| Atomic | Direct deposit switching inside the app | No | April 2024 | [Business Wire via FinTech Futures](https://fintechfutures.com/press-releases/frost-bank-improves-customer-experience-with-atomic-direct-deposit-switch) |
| Finzly | Single instant-payments API for FedNow and RTP | No | June 2024 | [FinTech Futures](https://fintechfutures.com/instant-real-time-payments/frost-bank-in-texas-taps-finzly-for-instant-payments) |
| Derivative Path | DerivativeEDGE cloud SaaS platform for the OTC derivatives business, starting with commodities and interest rates; 'the beginning of a multiyear partnership' | No | November 25, 2025 | [Derivative Path via Banking Dive](https://www.bankingdive.com/press-release/20251124-frost-bank-implements-derivative-path-to-power-otc-derivatives-business/) |

## What does Frost build itself, and who oversees technology?

Frost builds the customer surface. Green's 2024 letter calls the mobile app 'self-developed' and the highest-rated banking app in the App Store, and credits investment that brought turnover, including in the technology segment, down to 6%. Stead joined Frost in 1999, served as director of digital services and was part of the original team that brought online banking to Frost and created the app; he has been chief consumer banking and technology officer since 2017. ([Cullen/Frost Bankers (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/39263/000003926325000047/ars2024.htm), [Frost Bank](https://www.frostbank.com/leadership/jimmy-stead))

Oversight is split. The CIO reports to the chief consumer banking officer and the CISO to the chief risk officer, per the 2025 10-K; both report quarterly to the board's Technology and Cybersecurity Committee, which approves technology budgets. Green's 2025 letter says Frost 'made remarkable strides in bringing our information technology and cybersecurity systems to the level necessary for our ongoing success and safety'. The 10-Ks say reliance on cloud technologies 'is growing' but do not name a provider. ([Cullen/Frost Bankers (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/39263/000003926326000011/cfr-20251231.htm), [Cullen/Frost Bankers (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/39263/000003926326000023/cfr-20260320.htm), [Cullen/Frost Bankers (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/39263/000003926326000025/cullenfrost_annualreport.htm), [Cullen/Frost Bankers (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/39263/000003926324000013/cfr-20231231.htm))

## What does the Frost profile record on this topic?

| Date | Move | Detail | Sources |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Aug 27, 2026 | Blend 'Ecosystem Expander' award | Blend credits Frost with scaling its platform across four major lines of business; the award went to Katie Keating's consumer products team. | [Business Wire via Yahoo Finance](https://finance.yahoo.com/small-business/articles/blend-honors-seven-customers-best-200000530.html) |
| Aug 20, 2026 | Blend reports agentic Autopilot results across lenders | 50,000-plus live loans since March 2026; Frost's participation undisclosed. | [Business Wire via FT Markets](https://markets.ft.com/data/announce/full?dockey=600-202608200800BIZWIRE_USPRX____20260820_BW158280-1) |
| Aug 18, 2026 | Blend account-opening results published | Completion 80%, manual review 3%, NPS 94. | [Business Wire via FT Markets](https://markets.ft.com/data/announce/full?dockey=600-202608180800BIZWIRE_USPRX____20260818_BW315276-1) |
| Aug 17, 2026 | Investor deck names a contact-centre copilot | Call-centre staffing up 14% and call volume up 38% (as of December 2025), 'facilitated by' call-centre modernisation, a contact-centre copilot and enhanced customer chat; 66% of tier-one capabilities modernised, 40% in the cloud. | [Cullen/Frost Bankers (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/39263/000003926326000049/a2q-2026finalinvestorpre.htm) |
| Apr 23, 2026 | Class actions follow the vendor breach claim | Two proposed class actions each seek more than $1 million; one estimates about 109,000 people affected; a Frost spokesman says a third-party vendor reported unauthorised access to its own systems and there is no evidence of access to Frost's network. | [San Antonio Express-News via Yahoo Finance](https://finance.yahoo.com/sectors/technology/articles/frost-bank-hit-class-action-193000972.html) |
| Apr 22, 2026 | Ransomware claim attributed to a vendor | Everest claims 250,000 Frost records; bank cites a third-party tax-document vendor. | [American Banker](https://www.americanbanker.com/news/citizens-frost-blame-vendor-after-data-breach-claim) |
| Mar 20, 2026 | Proxy statement sets out technology governance | The Technology and Cybersecurity Committee, chaired by former Cloudflare field CTO John Engates, approves technology and information-security budgets annually and receives quarterly reports from the CIO and CISO; director Linda Rutherford previously led AI and data transformation at Southwest Airlines. | [Cullen/Frost Bankers (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/39263/000003926326000023/cfr-20260320.htm) |
| Jul 29, 2024 | Frost sets out its AI plans to Bank Automation News | Laura Miller says the focus is customer experience, fraud detection is the likely first AI use case and AI underwriting waits for regulatory clarity; a LivePerson co-pilot supports contact-centre staff; Q2 2024 technology spend was $35.9 million, up 8%. | [Bank Automation News](https://bankautomationnews.com/allposts/ai/inside-look-frost-banks-ai-and-payments-strategy) |
| Jun 25, 2024 | Finzly chosen for FedNow and RTP | Single instant-payments API covering FedNow and The Clearing House RTP; Finzly says it will support Frost's compliance and fraud-monitoring requirements. | [FinTech Futures](https://fintechfutures.com/instant-real-time-payments/frost-bank-in-texas-taps-finzly-for-instant-payments), [Bank Automation News](https://bankautomationnews.com/allposts/ai/inside-look-frost-banks-ai-and-payments-strategy) |
| Apr 23, 2024 | Atomic direct-deposit switching | Frost adds Atomic so customers can move direct deposit to Frost inside its app; Stead is quoted in the announcement. | [Business Wire via FinTech Futures](https://fintechfutures.com/press-releases/frost-bank-improves-customer-experience-with-atomic-direct-deposit-switch) |

## Common questions

### How much of Frost's core banking runs in the cloud?

Per the Q2 2026 investor presentation filed August 17, 2026, 40% of Frost's tier-one capabilities are in the cloud, up from 16% in 2021. Frost targets 43% in 2027 and 53% from 2028, when it expects 100% of tier-one capabilities to be current and on a regular update schedule. It does not name its cloud provider.

### Did Frost build its own mobile app?

Yes. Phil Green's letter in the 2024 annual report calls it Frost's 'self-developed mobile banking app' and the highest-rated banking app in the App Store. Jimmy Stead's Frost biography says he was part of the original team that brought online banking to Frost and created the Frost mobile app. The Q2 2026 deck gives a 4.9 App Store rating.

### How fast are Frost's cloud costs growing?

The 10-Ks report cloud services expense up $10.2 million in 2023, $9.2 million in 2024 and $10.3 million in 2025. Those were the largest drivers of increases in technology, furniture and equipment expense of $14.5 million (12.0%), $13.2 million (9.8%) and $17.3 million (11.6%) in the respective years. Frost does not disclose a total technology budget.

### What is left in Frost's modernization program?

The August 2026 investor deck lists, for 2026 and beyond, a debit card conversion, consumer wires, RTP/FedNow send, a wires conversion, a disputes and adjustments conversion, a commercial loan system conversion and customer single sign-on. Completed work includes data-center, network and mainframe upgrades, public cloud expansion, a contact-center conversion and fraud and sanction screening modernization.

### Which vendors does Frost rely on for digital banking?

Named partners are Blend for lending and account opening, Plaid for open-finance connections, Atomic for direct deposit switching, Finzly for FedNow and RTP, Zelle for person-to-person payments, LivePerson in the contact center and Derivative Path for its OTC derivatives business. Frost has not named its core banking vendor or its cloud provider.
## Deeper on Frost

- [What is Frost Bank's AI strategy?](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/banks/frost/ai-strategy)
- [What client experience technology does Frost Bank offer?](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/banks/frost/client-experience-technology)


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