Banks have developed solutions to some of these challenges, but their work-arounds are expensive and expose them to the risk of competitors with modern systems that were designed for mobile, ATMs, and real-time views of customers and their accounts.

FORBES: Outmoded IT Could "Evaporate" Big Retail Banks - Temenos

Analyzing customer data also allows banks to spot any potential customer problems, improve management of customer accounts, engage in real-time dialogue with customers, and improve overall customer experience online and over the phone.

FORBES: Banks Looking To Cash In By Mining Social Data

Using SWIFT and a global bank like Citi, a corporate treasury can centralize its accounts around the world, giving the treasurer a real-time view of balances, payments and receivables and also permitting consolidation of funds for overnight or other short-term investing.

FORBES: Corporate Treasurers Rule Their World, With Tech

Yet, at the same time, the real long-term returns on market savings and investment earned through the personal accounts will pay retirees much higher benefits than Social Security even promises, let alone what it can pay.

FORBES: Newt Gingrich's Entitlement Reform Plan