We are starting with the 2nd thing - a complementary product that wraps the core (among other things) with a better UI/UX.
We have sarcastically remarked about writing our own core after struggling with the APIs for the existing vendors. This is becoming a more serious proposition with each passing week.
You mention Fiserv, Jack Henry, Fidelity, but not Thought Machine. Care to share why?
As a software developer with a degree in finance, I'm always interested in the new projects out there.