Author: Emily Twillman

Aurora Advantage Powered by CSPI Celebrates 35 Years

Aurora Advantage Powered by CSPI Celebrates 35 Years in the Banking Industry

Computer Service Professionals, Inc. (CSPI), a fintech provider of core solutions, digital banking, online account opening and lending, and document management for community banks and credit unions, is proud to celebrate another milestone as they enter their 35^th year of business.

In October of 2020, CEO & President, Brad Epple, acquired CruiseNet® core solution and the core-related business operations from Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.® Since the fall of 2020, our team has rebranded to Aurora Advantage and has the option to be hosted in the Microsoft Azure Cloud.

“At CSPI, we are invested in innovation ~ with people, solutions, and processes. We believe in the power of collaboration and partnerships. We are passionate about building long term relationships with every client, by staying connected and engaged through each step of their digital transformation journey,” stated Epple.

In our 35 years of doing business, we have remained steadfast in our mission of exceeding client expectations. The team has created seamless integrations across our digital banking solutions suite to improve efficiency. Our team was also recognized as a top 4 finalist in the 2023 Callahan’s Digital Innovation Series with Aurora Launch, a new online account opening and lending solution.

“CSPI looks forward to being a strategic partner to community banks and credit unions,” stated Mike Bass, Sales Manager for CSPI.  “We firmly believe our cloud-based Aurora Advantage solutions will allow community banks credit unions to be more nimble and quick-to-market as new technologies are introduced.”

About CSPI

As a valued software and service provider leading the FinTech industry for 35 years, CSPI continues to focus on the needs of today’s progressive community banks and credit unions to meet the growing demands of account holders by providing core solutions, online account opening and lending, digital and mobile banking, and document management.

We support API-first technology to create real-time integration for our Aurora Advantage digital banking solutions suite. Our dedicated team strives to enhance the user experience, deliver innovative solutions, significantly increase productivity, and provide exceptional service that exceeds your expectations. We believe if our customer succeeds, we succeed.  https://auroradigitalbanking.com

 

CSPI Aurora Advantage Qualifies as Top 4 Finalist in Callahan & Associates, Inc. 2023 Digital Innovation Series

CSPI Aurora Advantage Qualifies as Top 4 Finalist in Callahan & Associates, Inc. 2023 Digital Innovation Series

Think of it as Shark Tank with a credit union spin, and it’s just been renewed for another season. The 2023 Digital Innovation Series from CreditUnions.com and Callahan & Associates is underway. Every year since 2018, this series has offered a select group of suppliers 10 minutes each to impress an audience of credit union decision-makers. It’s simple: Each vendor pitches its offerings and attendees vote on their favorites. Our team at CSPI is proud to announce that our Aurora Launch, digital account opening and lending platform, qualified Aurora Advantage as a TOP 4 FINALIST!

Learn more about Aurora Launch in a brief interview with Emily Twillman, our Director of Branding and Sales Engineer at CSPI.

Describe your digital innovation.

Emily Twillman: CSPI’s Aurora Launch online account opening and lending platform creates a frictionless member experience and improves operational efficiencies by simplifying your team’s engagement. We use core data and soft-inquiry credit pulls to pre-qualify your members. Then, we present instant offers and cross-sell opportunities based on your credit union’s credit policy. With built-in OFAC, KYM, in-session e-signatures, and instant account funding, members can apply and open an account in a matter of minutes.

What opportunity or challenge does it address?

ET: With the threat of fintech’s trying to gain traction on wallet share and low staffing numbers, it’s important for credit unions  to continue focusing on a digital-first strategy beyond their digital banking platform that will also allow efficiencies to offset growing workload demands.

Many credit unions today offer a digital form for the initial application but then require members to visit the branch to complete verification processes. We understand members’ lives are busy and time is valuable. Aurora Launch provides a complete end-to-end digital solution with 365/24/7 enrollment capabilities, built-in KYM, and verification with automated workflows designed to accelerate loan volume while allowing your credit union team to remain focused on building relations and identifying opportunities.

How does it increase member value?

ET: CSPI’s Aurora Launch digital account opening and lending solution increases member loyalty and helps attract new members by streamlining the onboarding process while providing members personalized insight to their purchasing power with instant offers and quick loan approvals. We believe members will benefit from the convenience of applying for a new account from any location, on any device, at a time that best suits their schedule. The simplistic application and onboarding process can be completed in a matter of minutes verses a matter of days.

With retail prices continuing to scale upward and members tightening their budgets, it’s likely many will seek personal loans to make ends meet or consider refinancing in effort to lower their monthly expenditures. Both of these options support the prime opportunity for credit unions to better engage with members by anticipating their needs and conveniently presenting pre-approved account cross-sell offers throughout the application process, enhancing the borrowers engagement.

What differentiates this innovation from competitors?

ET: The key to revenue growth in this digital day and age is capturing the attention of your client or prospect and making it easy and lucrative for them to engage and grow relationships. When you have an intuitive workflow and it is delivered in simple digital steps, the credit union’s brand is seen as effective, smart, and easy to do business with.

Aurora Launch doesn’t ask the applicant for the loan amount they are seeking. Instead, we run a soft credit inquiry and then provide the member with the amount they are pre-approved for, avoiding a denial or negative experience. Users can then select the loan amount they have been pre-approved for and the term of the loan based on lowest interest rate or lowest payment amount to best fit their financial wellness needs.

Similar to an Amazon experience, we provide account cross-sell and upsell opportunities for additional account types and loans, refinancing, and products such as GAP insurance or mechanical repair based on the credit union’s customizations. With Aurora Launch, the credit union finds peace of mind knowing all new accounts and offers are presented based on the credit union’s credit policy.

Aurora Launch makes this simple on the front end, and we deliver it to the credit union with intelligent workflows and processes meeting regulatory requirements on the back-end. It encompasses a seamless full-circle digital solution (opening to funding to document storage) that is built for adaptation as your credit union’s strategy changes, yet also delivers on account growth and retention of engaged digital members.

 

For Members Only FCU, founded by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® partners with Aurora Advantage, Powered by CSPI

For Members Only^TM FCU, founded by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ® partners with Aurora Advantage, Powered by CSPI, to launch its own niche, fully digital Credit Union

Jefferson City, MO: The name “For Members Only” speaks to niche banking and its ongoing service to 355,000 members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Steeped in tradition, service, and distinguished professionals, the women of Alpha Kappa Alpha are entering the financial-services space to help build generational wealth. Backed by their sorority mission since 1908 to be of “service to all mankind” and introducing a new theme of “Soaring to Greater Heights of Service and Sisterhood,” these women are placing key strategies into action to build personal, organizational, and community economic wealth.

Alpha Kappa Alpha, the oldest Greek-letter organization established by African American college-educated women, will launch For Members OnlyTM Federal Credit Union based in Chicago, IL. FMOFCU was announced as the first federal credit union to be chartered in 2023 by the NCUA and plans to be operational in late March of 2023.

“As the first Black-owned, woman-led, sorority-based (and) 100% digital financial institution, we are poised to deliver innovative financial solutions that drive economic growth for our members, chapters, families, and employees of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority,” stated AKA International President Danette Anthony Reed.

The credit union plans to digitally offer safe, fair, and affordable financial products and services. It will serve members, future members, and their communities. It plans to provide members with various savings and loan services in its first year, including checking accounts, online account opening, online banking, debit cards, and more.

For Members Only ^TM Federal Credit Union partnered with Aurora Advantage, Powered by CSPI, to advance their digital goals and service delivery.

“We want to extend a warm welcome to FMOFCU and its members. At CSPI, our Aurora Advantage team looks forward to exceeding our client’s expectations by providing a first-class digital banking experience,” said Brad Epple, CEO and President at CSPI. “It’s been evident as we’ve navigated the implementation process the past six months that FMOFCU has a strong and purpose-driven leadership team committed to ensuring a successful launch. We believe in their mission and are fully committed to growing this vision with their team by staying connected and engaged through each step of their digital journey.”

 About Aurora Advantage, Powered by CSPI

Aurora Advantage focuses on the needs of today’s progressive credit unions to meet growing demands of account holders by providing Next Gen core solutions hosted in the cloud, digital banking suite, online lending & account opening, and document management. We support an open banking architecture for small and mid-sized credit unions.

Core Solutions

About FMOFCU

For Members Only Federal Credit Union is the FIRST, Black-owned, woman-led, sorority-based, digital banking financial institution in the history of the United States.

https://aka1908.com/programs/new-foundation/

Strategizing a New Year, New Goals, & Better Banking Solutions

Strategizing a New Year, New Goals, & Better Banking Transformation

While it would be easy to remain complacent, community financial institutions need to do what they do best: prioritize their account holders’ needs, grow customer/member relations, analyze risks and potential growth opportunities, and take action. As digital banking remains on the forefront, financial institutions (FI’s) need to continually evaluate and evolve this channel.

Most financial institutions are continuously evaluating processes and setting goals to improve the digital banking user experience to remain competitive. As financial institutions prepare for transformation, below are a few suggested areas to incorporate into your digital banking strategy:

• Identify Key Goals & Initiatives
  Brainstorm goals and write them down. Are you seeking to improve your operational efficiencies, improve account holder engagement, transform your account holder’s experience, identify competitive advantages, or simply grow your bottom line with a new business strategy? Although it’s crucial to be mindful of the user experience and evaluating new trends, don’t overlook opportunities to create internal efficiencies as you’re building your roadmap.  Identifying your objectives will help achieve your mission.

• Assemble Key Employees, Define Responsibilities, & Evaluate Success
  It’s important to select the right employees to provide input and share their vision. Include personnel from all levels that will be involved in implementing the new process or service. Identify roles, assign responsibilities and evaluate progress. Giving employees a voice will help them invest in the FI’s vision and strategy.

• Identify & Assess Potential New Processes, Software Applications or Vendors
  Evaluate how new technology, software applications or processes will impact your customer/member and your bottom line. Ensure implementing a new software application is within your budget and has no hidden fees that could skew your investment costs. Revisit your requirements checklist to ensure the application will fulfill your current needs and progress your vision for future capabilities. Take your time on vendor due diligence. Confirm the vendor understands your goals and timeline, has a similar mission and values that align with your FI, and offers excellent customer service. We also recommend requesting a demo, asking for current client references, and inquiring on the implementation and training process so you know the expectations set forth for your team. Data security should also be top of mind; ensure your account holder’s data will be protected. And finally, ask about their roadmap and what enhancements they’re planning to implement. Ensure they are forward looking and will meet future demands.

• Strategize Implementation & Customer Communication
  Devising an implementation strategy is integral to the success of launching your new vision. Identify key players and delegate their roles accordingly. Assess the project scope to ensure daily duties are met and time is allocated to meet deadlines while simultaneously executing your new strategy. If your new solution is customer/member facing, ensure account holders are notified in advance and are aware of the upcoming changes. Communication is key to a seamless transition. This will help account holders prepare for the transition and more willingly embrace change. During go live, make certain account holders have access to easy to understand guides for quick reference via print or video.

• Evaluate Your Process, Software Application or Vendor
  Measure your success by identifying vital areas of improvement (or decline). Survey or personally reach out to your team members and customers for feedback. Evaluate your results and identify next steps. Always be forward thinking on how to further enhance the customer experience or identify problematic areas seeking a more EFFECTIVE process. There’s always room for improvement; stay ahead of the competition.

While the banking landscape continues to transform to keep up with industry demands, community banks and credit unions have upheld their mission and remained focused on building personal relationships and anticipating their account holder’s needs.  Enhancing the user experience, offering new products, and drawing the account holder closer will help grow the bottom line and accelerate growth.

About CSPI:
As a valued software and service provider leading the FinTech industry for 33 years, CSPI continues to focus on the needs of today’s progressive community banks and credit unions to meet the growing demands of account holders by providing core solutions, digital banking, document management and item processing.

We are core-agnostic (and also offer a core cloud solution) and support API-first technology to create real-time integration for our Aurora Advantage Digital Banking product suite. Our dedicated team strives to enhance the user experience, deliver innovative solutions, significantly increase productivity, and provide exceptional service that exceeds your expectations. We believe if our customer succeeds, we succeed. https://auroradigitalbanking.com/

 

Prior Blog Posts:

Take Account Opening and Lending to the Next Level with Aurora Launch!

Take Account Opening and Lending to the Next Level with Aurora Launch

Remember the days when you had to take off work and spend half a day at your financial institution to open an account or apply for a loan? Not anymore! Members are on-the-go at a rapid pace, it’s important that your financial institution has the capability to meet your members where they are. Online account applications and online account opening is more than just a trend, it’s a necessity to attract new account holders and grow existing member relations.

The Aurora Advantage team at CSPI is excited to introduce a new product, Aurora Launch! Aurora Launch will help credit unions streamline the onboarding process for new accounts and enhance your lending experience to your borrowers with instant offers. When you pique their interest, guide your applicant on a journey from application all the way to real-time core onboarding in less than 10-minutes.

“At CSPI, we know the importance for a simplistic, flexible and secure user experience to help credit unions improve member relations and accelerate growth,” stated Kurt Luebbering, Chief of Operations at CSPI. Aurora Launch delivers an omnichannel experience from beginning to end that incorporates the application process, OFAC and Identity Verification, eSignatures, a soft credit pull, instant account funding, and account cross-sell offerings.

Our team looks forward to delivering a modern digital account opening process to help credit union leaders transform their digital strategies and grow their membership.

Want to Learn More?

Connect with our Team!

 

CSPI Joins the Nebraska Credit Union League’s MVP Program

CSPI Joins the Nebraska Credit Union League’s MVP Program

Jefferson City, MO – July 8, 2022 –  Computer Service Professionals, Inc. (CSPI), a fintech provider of the Aurora Advantage core solution, digital banking, document management, and managed IT services for credit unions, announced today, that they have joined the Nebraska Credit Union League’s MVP program.

“CSPI looks forward to being a strategic partner to credit unions across Nebraska,” stated Mike Bass, Regional Sales Manager for CSPI.  “We firmly believe our cloud-based Aurora Advantage CU (AACU) core solution will allow credit unions to be more nimble and quick-to-market as new technologies are introduced. Our team strives to provide seamless digital banking solutions to both CU members and the back-office operations team.”

About The Nebraska Credit Union League

The Nebraska Credit Union League is a not-for-profit trade association that represents the interest of Nebraska’s state and federally chartered credit unions and their nearly 520,000 members. The League was organized in 1934, and more than 70 years later, continues to focus on helping our member credit unions succeed. Based in Omaha, the League is a dynamic organization that provides an array of services to Nebraska’s credit union industry.

https://nebrcul.org/

About CSPI

As a valued software and service provider leading the FinTech industry for 33 years, CSPI continues to focus on the needs of today’s progressive credit unions and community banks to meet the growing demands of account holders by providing core solutions, digital banking, document management and item processing.

CSPI is core-agnostic and supports API-first technology to create real-time integration for our Aurora Advantage Digital Banking product suite. Our dedicated team strives to enhance the user experience, deliver innovative solutions, significantly increase productivity, and provide exceptional service that exceeds your expectations. CSPI believes if our customer succeeds, we also succeed.

For more information, visit auroradigitalbanking.com, or follow the company on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

Cherokee County Teachers FCU Signs Five-Year Core Renewal with Aurora Advantage CU and Goes All-In with Digital Banking & Data Center Migration

Cherokee County Teachers FCU Signs Five-Year Core Renewal with Aurora Advantage CU and Goes All-In with Digital Banking & Data Center Migration

Jefferson City, MO – Thursday, June 16, 2022 – Aurora Advantage CU (AACU), the next generation in core software solutions for small and mid-sized credit unions, announced that Cherokee County Teachers FCU has signed their core renewal contract and is going all in by incorporating the Aurora Online and Mobile Banking platform. Cherokee County Teachers FCU also plans to migrate to the Aurora Data Center to alleviate staff workload and reduce costs by moving data to the Azure cloud.

Cherokee County Teachers FCU has been on the in-house core solution for the past 19 years. After CSPI acquired the Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.® CruiseNet® core solution in 2020 and rebranded to Aurora Advantage CU (AACU), it has been evident that CSPI is dedicated to enhancing the AACU core solution.

By migrating Cherokee County Teachers FCU to the Aurora Data Center, we should position the CU to offload some of their daily responsibilities and nightly processing functions to the Aurora Data Center team. Hosting data in the Microsoft Azure cloud will reduce costs, remove server maintenance responsibilities for the CU, streamline disaster recovery processes, and position the credit union to be more agile and nimble to take advantage of new-to-market FinTech companies as opportunities arise.

Renee Hinson, CSPI’s Client Relationship Manager stated, “Our team is committed to our mission of exceeding expectations. Our goal is to help our clients modernize their back office, create efficiencies, and deliver industry-leading digital technologies to provide the CU’s members an opportunity to better manage their finances. We are excited to introduce a mobile first digital banking experience to their members.”

About CSPI

As a valued software and service provider leading the FinTech industry for 33 years, CSPI continues to focus on the needs of today’s progressive credit unions and community banks to meet the growing demands of account holders by providing core solutions, digital banking, document management and item processing.

CSPI is core-agnostic and supports API-first technology to create real-time integration for our Aurora Advantage Digital Banking product suite. Our dedicated team strives to enhance the user experience, deliver innovative solutions, significantly increase productivity, and provide exceptional service that exceeds your expectations. CSPI believes if our customer succeeds, we also succeed.

For more information, visit auroradigitalbanking.com, or follow the company on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

About Cherokee County Teachers Federal Credit Union

Cherokee County Teachers FCU is a voluntary cooperative, non-profit savings institution. Like banks, they accept your savings deposits and invest them to earn income, primarily by lending money to members.  Their vision is to provide an exceptional member service experience through their knowledgeable, caring professionals dedicated to excellence.

Aurora Advantage CU (Previously CruiseNet) Closes 25 Core Renewal Agreements

Aurora Advantage CU (Previously CruiseNet) Closes 25 Core Renewal Agreements

Jefferson City, MO – March 28th, 2022 – Aurora Advantage CU (AACU), the next generation in core software solutions for small and mid-sized credit unions, announced today that 25 Credit Unions representing more than $700 million in assets and 60,000 members, have signed core renewal agreements.

Aurora Advantage CU clients know a thing or two about running an efficient credit union. By improving your overall operations, you can drive down costs to reduce back-office workload and focus on your number one asset: your members. The key to achieving this level of efficiency is through your primary core platform.

According to Kurt Luebbering, Chief of Operations at CSPI, “Aurora’s cloud-based connectivity and integration bring endless opportunities to your credit union and its members. AACU’s open architecture allows new-to-market solutions to be quickly integrated, providing our Credit Union clients the flexibility they need to accommodate growth opportunities and meet their members’ needs.”

About CSPI

As a valued software and service provider leading the FinTech industry for 33 years, CSPI continues to focus on the needs of today’s progressive credit unions to meet the growing demands of account holders by providing core solutions, digital banking, document management, and managed services.

CSPI is core-agnostic and supports API-first technology to create real-time integration for our Aurora Advantage Digital Banking product suite. Our dedicated team strives to enhance the user experience, deliver innovative solutions, significantly increase productivity, and provide exceptional service that exceeds your expectations. CSPI believes if our customer succeeds, we also succeed.

For more information, visit auroradigitalbanking.com, or follow the company on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

 

Prior Blog Posts:

Glass Cap FCU Renews Aurora Advantage CU Core Contract and Goes All In With Digital Banking Platform

Grow Member Relations & Your Bottom Line Utilizing Account Cross-Sell 

CSPI Joins the Real-Time Payments Revolution

CSPI Joins the Real-Time Payments Revolution

Jefferson City, MO – Computer Service Professionals, Inc. (CSPI), a fintech provider of core, digital banking, document management, item processing solutions, and managed IT services, announced today, that their first Aurora Advantage CU core client has gone live with The Clearing House RTP® network through a partnership with Corporate America Credit Union. RTP® network is a real-time payments platform that all federally insured U.S. depository institutions are eligible to use for payments innovation, to enhance digital services for both commercial and retail customers.

“CSPI recognizes the need for faster payments, and we know our Credit Union core clients want to be on the leading edge,” stated Rebecca Plunkett, Application Analyst Supervisor for CSPI.  This initial implementation will allow members of the credit union to receive qualifying credit transfers that will post to their accounts within seconds, providing more control over cash flow, and quicker access to funds.

The RTP network is strictly “credit push,” meaning that the person making the payment instructs its financial institution to make the payment. Credit push transactions reduce certain types of fraud risk. CSPI will continue to work with our partners and financial institutions on solutions that allow them to enhance the payment experience.

About The Clearing House

The Clearing House operates U.S-based payments networks that clear and settle more than $2 trillion each day through wire, ACH, check image, and real-time payments. It is the nation’s most experienced payments company, with a long track record of providing secure and reliable systems, payments innovation, and strategic thought leadership to financial institutions. Most recently, The Clearing House has revolutionized U.S. payments infrastructure with the RTP® network, which supports the immediate clearing and settlement of payments, along with the ability to exchange related payment information across the same secure channel. These RTP capabilities enable all financial institutions to offer safer, faster, and smarter digital transaction services for their corporate and retail customers.

https://www.theclearinghouse.org/payment-systems/rtp

About Corporate America Credit Union

Different Starts Here is our motto – but what exactly does that mean? It means we think differently, act differently and treat our members differently with a common goal – to truly add value to your organization. Founded in 1982 and based in Irondale, Alabama, Corporate America Credit Union is a dedicated, not for-profit financial cooperative governed by a board of directors elected from and by our member-owner credit unions. With nearly 500 credit unions across the nation, we boast a comprehensive list of products and services including investments, liquidity solutions, and correspondent services such as ACH, item processing, and remote deposit capture. Our priority is our members’ future success. Let us pay you a visit – we know a partnership with CACU will be beneficial – (800) 292-6242 or visit www.corpam.org

About CSPI

As a valued software and service provider leading the FinTech industry for 33 years, CSPI continues to focus on the needs of today’s progressive community banks and credit unions to meet the growing demands of account holders by providing core solutions, digital banking, document management, item processing and managed services.

We are core-agnostic and support API-first technology to create real-time integration for our Aurora Advantage Digital Banking product suite. Our dedicated team strives to enhance the user experience, deliver innovative solutions, significantly increase productivity, and provide exceptional service that exceeds your expectations. We believe if our customer succeeds, we succeed.

https://auroradigitalbanking.com