As the fintech revolution advances, U.S. regional and community banks stand at a critical juncture. On one side is an on-ramp to the fintech superhighway—a road that is built for great speed but has significant perils as well. On the other side is the old, welltraveled bank road—one that is familiar and steady but on which institutions risk being left behind.

Thousands of banks are turning onto the fintech freeway. As of June 2016, there were around 6,000 banks in the U.S., and the majority of these are regional and community banks that serve millions of people who want services on their computers, tablets and phones. Fintech startups offer an array of tools and technology that these customers increasingly demand.