Is WordPress Safe for Financial Institutions? What FIs Need to Know About Website Security

WordPress powers a huge portion of the internet, and with its widespread use comes a big question: Is WordPress safe for financial institutions? 

That’s not a question to take lightly. Your website isn’t just a brochure; it’s a trust-based portal that serves your account holders, safeguards sensitive data, and represents your brand’s integrity. 


Let’s break down what makes WordPress a risky CMS choice for financial institutions and how to protect your organization and the people you serve from growing cybersecurity threats.


Why WordPress Is Popular, But Not Purpose-Built for Financial Institutions

WordPress was originally designed as a blogging platform. Today, it’s evolved into a general-purpose website builder that can be used for everything from hobby blogs to online stores. But here’s the catch:

  • It’s open source, meaning anyone can create or modify plugins and themes.

  • It relies heavily on third-party tools to function like a full-scale CMS.

  • It’s not built with compliance, cybersecurity, or accessibility in mind.

That means when a financial institution chooses WordPress, it’s layering essential services and security needs onto a platform that wasn’t created with regulatory compliance or data protection as top priorities.


Cybersecurity Risks: The Plugin Problem

Plugins are the backbone of WordPress functionality, but they’re also its biggest liability. There are more than 60,000 plugins available in the WordPress ecosystem. Many are outdated, unsupported, or created by developers without cybersecurity expertise.

Here’s where that becomes a real concern:

  • Vulnerable plugins are a primary attack vector for ransomware and malware.

  • Outdated code can introduce security holes even when a plugin is deactivated.

  • Plugin conflicts can quietly disable security protocols or allow data leaks.

And because WordPress requires constant patching, updates, and plugin management, most financial institutions simply don’t have the IT staff or time to keep up, leaving their sites exposed.

“Is WordPress Safe?” Depends on Who’s Maintaining It

In theory, a WordPress site can be safe. But that depends entirely on the expertise and diligence of the developer (or third-party vendor) maintaining it.

And unless your financial institution has:

  • a full-time development team

  • a dedicated cybersecurity expert

  • a rigid content management workflow

…your WordPress site is likely falling behind on security patches, best practices, or both.

At OMNICOMMANDER, we’ve seen it firsthand: financial institutions unknowingly running unpatched WordPress sites with outdated plugins, often with no backup strategy and no active monitoring. That’s not just risky; it’s avoidable.


ADA Compliance and Accessibility: Another Pain Point

Beyond security, accessibility is a legal and ethical obligation. Financial institutions must meet WCAG standards to ensure that people with disabilities can use their websites effectively.

Unfortunately, most WordPress templates and plugins aren’t accessible out of the box. In fact:

  • Many themes contain poor color contrast, untagged images, and navigation issues.

  • Accessibility plugins often provide surface-level fixes, not true compliance.

  • Achieving real ADA accessibility requires manual audits and development work.

If you’re relying on WordPress, there’s a good chance your site isn’t meeting ADA standards—and that puts your institution at legal risk.

Mobile Optimization and SEO: Not Always Included

You might assume any modern site is mobile-friendly and SEO-optimized. However, WordPress sites only check those boxes if they’re specifically built to do so. Many themes:

  • They aren’t responsive across all devices and screen sizes.

  • Don’t include structured data or metadata for SEO.

  • Rely on separate plugins for speed optimization and search engine visibility.

With OMNICOMMANDER, your site is built with performance, mobile UX, and search visibility in mind, eliminating the need for a patchwork of plugins.


When Security and Trust Are Non-Negotiable

As a financial institution, your website is more than digital real estate; it’s a channel of trust. From login portals to loan applications, it’s where your account holders share sensitive financial and personal data.



If that data is compromised, so is your reputation.



That’s why CMS choice isn’t just a technical decision, it’s a strategic one. WordPress may be convenient, but it’s not built for the level of trust and protection that financial institutions require.


A Safer, Smarter Alternative: OMNICOMMANDER

At OMNICOMMANDER, we don’t patch security on top of open-source software. We build secure, ADA-accessible, and branded websites specifically for financial institutions, including credit unions and banks.


Here’s what that means:

  • Proactive security: Continuous monitoring, threat prevention, and zero reliance on public plugins.

  • Total accessibility: Every site is WCAG-compliant from day one, no shortcuts.

  • Mobile-first design: Built for mobile, optimized for search, and branded to reflect your values.

Want a website that not only looks good but also protects your institution and its account holders?

Final Thoughts: What’s the Cost of Convenience?

WordPress may save you money upfront, but the long-term risks, such as data breaches, ADA lawsuits, and loss of trust, can come at a much higher price. Your institution deserves more than a DIY solution to a professional challenge.



The safest site is one built for you, with you, and with the security of your account holders in mind.



Let OMNICOMMANDER show you how we’ve redefined secure digital experiences for financial institutions.

OMNICOMMANDER