Category: Uncategorized

CSPI Partners with Adlumin for Compliance and Security Automation

CSPI Partners with Adlumin for Compliance and Security Automation

Jefferson City, MO – May 6, 2021 | Press Release

As the IT landscape continues to evolve and the ever-growing concern with cyber security in financial institutions rises, Computer Service Professionals, Inc. (CSPI) announces a new partnership with the leading compliance and security automation platform in Finance,  Adlumin.  Adlumin is a trusted security and compliance automation platform built to discover threats, malfunctions, and IT operations failures in real-time. In seconds, Adlumin customers can comply with industry regulations using exclusive reporting features.

“Our team is excited to partner with an organization that we feel provides an affordable solution to enhance our customers current network security,” stated Jim Bryan, Senior Technical Service Engineer at CSPI. Adlumin has a different approach to assist customers by helping to comply, detect, prioritize and respond in real-time.  Adlumin’s platform improves the overall network health and efficiencies of cyber resources. They work to protect your critical data as well as providing real-time insight into compliance violations and deficiencies through their proprietary technologies and background automation.  “Adlumin’s robust reporting capabilities will help streamline and simplify network audits for our community bank and credit union clients.”

At CSPI, we always seek to partner with a best of breed vendor. Adlumin is certainly not a new face to the financial industry as they are a Preferred Service Provider of Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), Gold Level Associate Member of the American Bankers Association (ABA), and an Associate Business Member of the Credit Union National Association (CUNA).  Adlumin also recently was a finalist in the Best Solution for Compliance & Risk category for the 2021 Best of FinXTech Awards powered by Bank Director.

“We look forward to building a strong relationship with Adlumin while providing an enhanced security solution to our valued clients as we work to secure our customers data,” said Bryan.

 

About Adlumin

Adlumin Inc. is the leading, patented security and compliance automation platform built for corporate organizations that demand commercial bank-grade, innovative cybersecurity solutions and easy-to-use, comprehensive reporting tools. Our company was founded in 2016 by industry experts from the U.S. Intelligence Community and the world’s finest investigators.

The Adlumin team has a passion for technology and solving the most challenging problems through the targeted application of data science and compliance integration. Our mission is to “add luminosity” or visibility to every customer’s network process through real-time threat detection, analysis, and response to ensure sensitive data remains secure.

Connect with Adlumin on Linkedln, Facebook and Twitter.

 

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.

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. auroradigitalbanking.com

Connect with CSPI on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

 

Media Contact:

Emily Twillman | Product Specialist

(800)933.4873   etwillman@cspiinc.com

Greater State Bank Goes All-In with the Aurora Digital Banking Suite

Greater State Bank Goes All-In with the Aurora Digital Banking Suite 

McAllen, TX – April 27, 2021 – Greater State Bank (GSB), – a locally owned community bank which has served the people and businesses of South Texas for more than 40 years, fully integrates with CSPI’s Aurora Digital Banking suite.

GSB partnered with CSPI in 2015 to utilize their Aurora Online Banking platform. According to Joe Llanas,  AVP-IT Officer at Greater State Bank, “At the time, one of the biggest hurdles our community bank was facing was the lack of technology we had access to. For those in the financial industry, you know incorporating new online & mobile products can be expensive.  CSPI worked with us and created a plan that fit our technology needs while keeping at a price point within our budget.” Aurora Online was fairly new to the market and GSB opted to outsource the mobile app with a third party.

“The Aurora Online cash management banking services for our commercial account holders have been a great benefit in developing our Treasure Management line of products. These services have allowed our commercial customers to better manage their finances and created efficiency by not having to physically visit one of our branch locations. The commercial offerings have also helped GSB to expand our business relations while keeping our customers happy,” stated Llanas.

When CSPI reached out to the GSB team last fall regarding their Aurora Mobile App integration, GSB recognized the importance of a secure, user-friendly interface. “While Mobile Banking was originally implemented to attract the younger generation of bankers, fast forward 6 years, amidst a global pandemic, Mobile Banking is now responsible for 60% of our Online transactions and it continues to grow.  It has become a successful product with our consumer and commercial customers of all ages,” said Llanas. Since GSB was already utilizing Aurora Online Banking, it made sense to take a look at mobile. “After reviewing CSPI’s Mobile Banking app, we felt the enhanced mobile features would further improve GSB’s customer experience and help us compete with the big boys, so we signed a contract.”

Implementation went as planned, even though we had a very tight schedule.  We were able to roll out the Aurora Mobile app with a few days to spare. Since January of 2021, GSB’s customers have appreciated CSPI’s modern Mobile Banking app. Although GSB’s customers were already accustomed to mobile remote deposit and bill pay from our prior app, these features continue to be heavily utilized.

One of GSB’s customers favorite features in the new app is the ability to control their debit card. Thanks to CSPI’s real-time integration with Shazam Brella, our customers have the ability to manage debit card activity and alerts within the mobile app. Having the integration saves customers the hassle of downloading a second app. From the bank’s risk management perspective, we have peace of mind knowing our customers are better equipped to help prevent or quickly detect debit card fraudulent activity.

Over all, our customers have transitioned well thanks to the ease of use with the Aurora Mobile Banking user interface. The best part of the digital experience is that our customers now recognize that we can do what the big banks can do but with local support.

About Greater State Bank

The bank has grown from its beginnings in the rural dairy town of Falfurrias to become a major regional banking resource for much of South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley. With locations in Falfurrias, Hebbronville, McAllen and Weslaco, Greater State Bank is truly a South Texas banking partner for families and businesses looking for a progressive, forward-thinking bank that delivers a level of customer service that is missing in so much of banking today. The bank is owned and managed by South Texas residents who understand this unique part of Texas and how business and banking are done here. With local decisions, local management and much of the technology and services associated with larger banks, Greater State Bank is proud to play a major role in the growth of South Texas. greaterstatebank.com/

About Computer Service Professionals, Inc.

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 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. auroradigitalbanking.com/

We believe if our customer succeeds, we succeed.

Media Contact:

Emily Twillman | Product Specialist

(800)933.4873   etwillman@cspiinc.com

Immunizing Your Technology Plan

Immunizing Your Technology Plan

Article Submitted to The Show-Me Banker Magazine,  April Edition
Magazine Produced by Missouri Independent Bankers Association  (MIBA)
Article Written by Emily Twillman

We’ve surpassed another milestone; surviving a full year from the Covid-19 global pandemic that forced a government shut down last March. That doesn’t come as a surprise to many as community bankers have always been known for rallying through the storm and upholding their communities. 2020 has proven once again that community bankers will continue their efforts to do whatever it takes to get the job done.

From working endless hours filing PPP loans to their nimble pivot adapting digital banking transformation, community bankers went above and beyond to ensure their customers’ needs were exceeded. While digital banking transformation has been in hot pursuit over the past decade, it became the priority as bank lobbies started shutting down.

Digital banking transformation is a broad term that encapsulates both digital technology advancements and the ability to track data and analytics to formulate a more accurate depiction of growth opportunities. In a survey completed by Harland Clarke, 74% of financial institutions surveyed experienced more than 10% growth in digital banking adoption.

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

We firmly believe community bankers will continue to drive technological change. While the days of implementing digital transformation every 3-5 years when a contract expires are likely behind us, it’s more important than ever to select a vendor that’s agile and keeps up with industry trends.

Banks need to continuously evaluate processes, seeking to improve the customer 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, transform your customer experience, identify competitive advantages, or simply grow your bottom line with a new business strategy.

  Although it’s crucial to be mindful of the customer 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 & Hold Accountable
  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 and assign responsibilities to hold each member accountable. Giving employees a voice will help them invest in the banks vision and strategy.

• Identify & Assess Potential New Processes, Software Applications or Vendors
  Evaluate how new technology, software applications or processes will impact your customer and your bottom line. Ensure implementing a new software application is within your budget and will fulfill the majority of your requirements.

  Take your time on vendor due diligence. Confirm they understand your goals and timeline, have a similar mission and values that align with your FI, and offer excellent customer service. We also recommend requesting a demo, asking for current customer 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 customer 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 facing, ensure customers are notified in advance and are aware of the upcoming changes. Communication is key to a seamless transition. This will help customers prepare for the transition and more willingly embrace change. During go live, ensure customers know who they can contact for assistance and have access to training materials 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 efficient process. There’s always room for improvement; stay ahead of the competition.

While the banking landscape continues transforming to keep up with industry demands, community bankers have upheld their mission and remained focused on building personal relationships and anticipating their customer’s needs.  Enhancing the customer experience, offering new products, and drawing the customer 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 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.

About Emily Twillman:
Emily has been working in the community banking industry for 15 years. She started as a Teller for The Callaway Bank and then expanding her proof knowledge at Computer Service Professionals, Inc. as a Senior Software Support Representative. As Emily’s passion to help community bankers grew, so did her role at CSPI.

Emily currently serves as the Product Sales Specialist where she assists in the development of CSPI’s marketing and sales plans, and provides demonstrations of CSPI’s Aurora Online and Mobile Banking, Aurora Document Imaging and Item Processing solutions.

She enjoys developing and maintaining key business relationships with community bankers and interacting with state and national banking organizations.

 

Prior Blog Posts: 

 

 

 

5 BENEFITS A DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM CAN PROVIDE YOUR FINANCIAL INSTITUTION

5 Benefits A Document Management System Can Provide Your Financial Institution

March 16, 2020 | Blog

In 2020, as PPP Loans were being processed around the clock by community banks and credit unions, many financial institutions still managing paper documents or tickler systems recognized the need to go all in with a full document management system to reap the many benefits.

WHAT IS A DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM?

A document management system is a software application used to acquire paper or electronic documents, track, manage and store in an electronic format. It can also be referred to as an enterprise content management (ECM) system. A document management system should not limit file types. It should should accept files saved in numerous formats such as PDF, Word, Excel, digital images, etc. Once documents have been imaged, users can benefit from quick research capabilities, powerful reporting tools, reduced expenditures, securing data, virtual audits, and workflow.

5 BENEFITS A DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT SOLUTION CAN PROVIDE YOUR FINANCIAL INSTITUTION

1. CREATE EFFICIENCIES: Quickly import documents in any format to gain instant access to documents via research tools; eliminate time wasted searching for a paper file.  Many document management systems add convenience by integrating via API’s with third party vendors such as your core solution provider,  e-sign platforms,  etc.  Powerful reporting tools alert users regarding technical exceptions by providing easy-to-read automated reports that detail exceptions and watch list documents. Take advantage of the time saved by not having to manually manage spreadsheets and tickler files.

2. REDUCE COSTS: Reduce the need to print, eliminate budget spending for filing cabinets and free up usable storage space, all while enjoying time savings from the efficiencies created. Let the software work for you; don’t work for the software.

3. SECURE DATA: Our browser-based document management system is designed for users to access encrypted documents and reports securely. Financial institutions can utilize our Electronic Filing Cabinets (EFC’s) to securely store, encrypt and restrict access to board minutes, financial statements or security videos.

4. AUDIT PROFICIENCY: Document Imaging furthers efficiency by swiftly searching, filtering and adding specified documents to custom audit queues. Once the queue has been properly compiled of only the documents the auditor has requested, users can securely export documents to the Federal Reserve in a matter of minutes utilizing the Fed’s new standardized viewer to streamline the audit process. Enjoy the efficiencies a virtual audit creates!

5. AUTOMATE WORKFLOW: Identify, analyze and streamline daily processes and procedures. Workflow speeds up the manual transfer of paper documents by identifying processes and procedures to electronically move documents through all channels.  Achieve due diligence and efficiently route documents electronically.

If your financial institution is ready to take the plunge and go paperless or you’re ready to take advantage of the benefits a document management solution can provide, contact us today to schedule a demo!

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Silex Banking Company Revolutionizes their Digital Banking User Experience with CSPI’s Aurora Digital Banking Suite

Silex Banking Company Revolutionizes their Digital Banking User Experience with CSPI’s Aurora Advantage Digital Banking Suite

Silex, MO – March 9, 2021 – It’s been two full weeks since Silex Banking Company (SBC) – a locally owned community bank serving it’s customers for over 128 years – revolutionized their digital banking user experience by implementing CSPI’s Aurora Advantage Online and Mobile Banking suite.

Selecting a Digital Banking Platform

As Silex Banking Company began their search for a new digital banking platform, CSPI was one of three top vendors as they narrowed their selection. CSPI wasn’t a new software vendor for SBC as they had partnered with them in 2014 for their Item Processing and Document Management technology solutions. “Having an established relationship with CSPI definitely played a factor in our vendor evaluation process. There is certainly a trust element and peace of mind knowing a vendor has already proven to provide exceptional products and the very best in customer service. However, we ultimately chose CSPI’s Aurora Advantage Digital Banking suite to enhance our customer’s user experience,” proclaimed Betty Zuroweste, Chief Operations Officer of SBC.

Implementing Digital Banking Transformation

According to Betty, “CSPI’s implementation team provided a seamless transition; it never really felt like we even did a conversion. From website design to assisting customers signing into the new digital banking platform, CSPI ‘s team held our hand every step of the way. We had great adoption rates, already enrolling 92% of our online banking customers. Our customers are already enjoying the modern mobile banking features including mobile remote deposit and Allied Payment Network’s bill pay, eBills and real-time person-to-person transfers.

Another enhancement provided by CSPI’s mobile app includes integrating our debit card management services with Shazam Brella. Prior to CSPI, cardholders had to download a separate app.  Cardholders now have the flexibility to block their debit card when not in use and manage alerts all within the mobile app. This adds convenience for our users and helps to prevent or quickly detect fraudulent activity.”

“Silex Banking Company is always looking for ways to enhance our community members banking experience,” stated Zuroweste. “CSPI’s Aurora Advantage Digital Banking suite helped us obtain our goals.  We know our customers live busy lives. Providing them convenient digital banking tools to conquer their finances is one area we can help them to succeed.”

About Computer Service Professionals, Inc. (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 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.

Media Contact:

Emily Twillman | Product Specialist

(800)933.4873   etwillman@cspiinc.com

 

CSPI Expands Digital Banking Offering by Partnering with Modern Banking Systems

CSPI Expands Digital Banking Offering by Partnering with Modern Banking Systems

March 3, 2021 | Press Release

Computer Service Professionals, Inc. announced a new digital banking partnership with Modern Banking Systems (MBS). Modern Banking Systems is a leading provider offering powerful, flexible core processing software solutions for community banks.

According to Bob Neville, President of MBS, “As the urgency for digital banking services escalated throughout the pandemic, we knew it was our job to ensure we were offering an industry-leading online and mobile banking experience to customers at a competitive price point that would fit their budgets. We reached out to CSPI as we knew they not only provided a modern digital banking experience our clients expect but also share a similar mission to provide exceptional customer service.”

CSPI’s Aurora Digital Banking product suite incorporates both consumer and commercial cash management, bill payment, customizable dashboard views, and many other services on a single, secure, and flexible platform. Aurora Mobile Banking provides customers the flexibility they deserve 24/7.

“Our team at CSPI was thrilled to form a digital banking partnership with Modern Banking Systems. We appreciate MBS’s willingness to allow financial institutions to select the vendor of their choice. Having a core provider collaborate with industry leaders allows community bankers the ability to be nimble, first-to-market and is ultimately the key to growth and success,” Clay Hamlet, Chief of Sales and Acquisitions at CSPI.

Since the end of Q2 in 2020, CSPI has signed 9 Modern Banking Systems community banks and successfully implemented their digital banking platform at 7 locations. State Bank of Scotia in Scotia, NE was the first to execute CSPI’s Aurora Digital Banking suite in mid-September of 2020. We reached out to Peggy Jensen, Vice President of Operations, to get her input on their experience.

State Bank of Scotia’s Digital Journey

We are a small, family-owned bank in central Nebraska. Believe it or not, we did not have online banking or a website of any kind until third quarter, 2020.  We had discussed the idea for several years but finally made the decision to move forward in the beginning of 2020.

Our bank was seeking a partnership that would provide our customers a modern digital banking experience at an affordable rate that would fit our budget. It was also important that we felt the company had interest in our goals, a small bank just beginning an online digital journey. We turned to our trusted core banking provider, Modern Banking Systems, for online banking platform suggestions that would integrate with our core solution.

After research, phone calls, and due diligence, we chose to partner with CSPI. Our team felt they were genuinely interested in helping us attain our goals. We were a little nervous implementing in the middle of a pandemic. Knowing the partnership between CSPI and Modern Banking Systems was recent was also a little nerve-racking . We were going to be the first bank to go live with their new API.

Paul and Cody from CSPI were patient with our team as they trained through Zoom meetings due to Covid-19. They were there to answer all of our questions and guide us throughout the process. From website design to taking our online and mobile banking app live, everything went according to plan. If a question or issue arose, CSPI’s team researched and quickly found a solution.

Our customers have definitely appreciated the digital banking services. They have enjoyed convenient features such as mobile remote deposit and bill payment. As a community bank, we are always seeking to strengthen our customer relationships and provide services our customers desire. Continuing our partnership with Modern Banking Systems and adding CSPI’s digital banking had truly made our much needed OLB platform a success!

About Modern Banking Systems

Modern Banking Systems (MBS) is a leading provider of core bank processing solutions. We know the daily challenges and regulations facing community banks. We believe that banks need to have the right services and technology in place if they want to retain customers and to compete in today’s marketplace.

Community bank customers demand accessibility and control over their finances, so banks must conform or risk losing customers. Meanwhile, the bank must comply with new regulations, controlling costs, and preventing fraud. Our goal at MBS is to provide these community banks with solutions, through partnerships, that will give them the tools they need to better serve their customers now and well into the future.

www.modernbankingsystems.com

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 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.

www.auroradigitalbanking.com

Media Contact:

Emily Twillman | Product Specialist

(800) 933.4873 or etwillman@cspiinc.com

 

 

 

10 Features to Enhance Your Small Business Account Holders Online Banking Experience

10 Features to Enhance Your Small Business Owners Online Banking Experience

February 23, 2021 | Blog

It’s no secret that COVID-19 greatly impacted small businesses. Many business owners have been forced to reevaluate their strategies and trim unnecessary costs. As they assess their finances and seek new technologies and efficiencies, our team wants to share 10 features that will enhance your small business online banking experience.

 1. All Inclusive Digital Banking Platform – Offering account holders a blended platform allows digital banking users the ability to manage all of their accounts, both retail and commercial, from one platform. Yes, that means only managing only one user name and password to access all accounts!

 2. Security – Businesses can take advantage of using dual authentication methods or a hard/soft token environment to ensure secure access when creating financial transactions.  All transactions may also be configured for dual control or secondary authentication. Financial institutions will benefit from assessing risk factors based on account holder relationships by setting limits, restricting accounts and product features.

 3. Card Management – Having card management built into a mobile app empowers employers with the ability to monitor employee debit card transactions, set alerts and restrict card access.

 4. Manage Bill Payments – Providing bill payment integration in both online and mobile banking offers account holders a simplistic and engaging bill payment experience.  Account holders have the ability to easily create payees, receive eBills, schedule and manage their payments all from a single screen.

 5. ACH Origination -Business account holders will appreciate the ease and simplicity of managing vendor account payables.  ACH origination allows any business customer to create electronic payments and deposits.

What is ACH? ACH stands for Automated Clearing House, which is an electronic network that allows people or businesses to directly transfer funds between two bank accounts. Organizations that create these transactions are called Originators. As a business expressing interest in starting ACH, you would be the Originator. Transactions can either be debits or credits.

          Learn more about the benefits ACH can provide.

 6. Payroll Management – Allow commercial account holders the flexibility to manage employees and directly deposit payroll funds through online banking via ACH.

 7. Secure File Upload – Grant access for users to securely transfer files in any format to your financial institution. Have a form containing confidential information? Users can securely upload the document after logging into online banking. If your merchant is utilizing Remote Deposit Capture, users can securely upload their X937 file through online banking.

 8. NACHA – Are your commercial account holders managing payroll through Quicken or QuickBooks? Allow users secure access to upload payroll files with built in alerts verifying the file format and monitoring limit sets.

 9. EFTPS Tax Payments – Businesses can submit their Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) payment from the online banking portal without having to access an additional website.

         What Is the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS)?

The Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) is a service provided by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The service allows taxpayers to make tax payments either by telephone or online. This system is accessible every day of the week, 24 hours a day.

 10. Cash Concentration – Do you have a small business account receiving numerous bill payments on a reoccurring schedule? Think of a local gym collecting membership dues, a church collecting tithes or maybe a landlord managing multiple properties. Help streamline their accounts receivable by allowing them to enter their customers account information, pull funds for multiple ACH withdrawals and then enjoy a moment of relaxation while our application generates one file containing all individual payments!

Last year proved community banks and credit unions are committed to keeping the entrepreneurs dreams alive; let’s continue supporting our small business owners in 2021 by enhancing their digital experience!

Ready to learn more about cash management features for business online banking? Contact Us!

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Partnering with the Right Technology Vendor

Partnering with the Right Technology Vendor

February 3, 2021 | Blog

As we all said good riddance to 2020, the new year is upon us and many financial institutions are continuing to evaluate processes and identify areas for improvement. Selecting a technology partner for your financial institution is a BIG decision.  Choosing the wrong vendor relation can have a significant impact on your success; be sure to properly evaluate all aspects of their business. Below are a few key factors to consider when searching for a new technology partner:

Goals – Start by compiling a list of goals you are seeking to achieve, along with a list of critical features to reference as you evaluate potential contenders. A sample goal would be to enhance the account holders digital banking experience by providing a more robust, customizable experience tailored to the account holders needs.

Customer Service – The customer should always come first. Remember, vendor differentiation occurs through product and service delivery. Creating a trusting relationship and an open line of communication with customer support is key.

Customer service starts as early as the RFP response; prompt attention to inquiries indicates you are already considered a valued partner.  From introductory planning through post-implementation follow up, your selected vendor should strive to exceed your expectations.

Mission & Values – Request the vendor’s mission statement to ensure your goals and values align. Sample mission & value statement below:

Mission:

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 support API-first technology to create real-time integration for our Aurora Advantage 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.

Value Statement:

CSPI will continue to offer cutting edge solutions for our clients. We will take on our client’s most difficult challenges and make them our own. We will be open to our client’s suggestions and will work with our utmost diligence and honesty to provide the customer service that CSPI takes pride in upholding.

Most importantly we have invested in our people so they are better equipped and motivated to engage with our customers, whether it is face to face, at our customer’s location, or digitally though web communications. Nurturing quality customer relationships is our core value. Our culture at CSPI encourages every employee to continually look for new and improved ways to service our customers. And yes, technology is a big part of that – but we never forget that relationships are built from one-on-one communication and personal interaction. It’s our people who work diligently to ensure we exceed our customers’ expectations.

Request a Demo – When selecting a software application, it’s important to ensure the best experience for the end-user.  Employees or customers don’t want to skim through numerous pages of a user’s manual; strive to select a solution that provides an intuitive workflow. Select an application that works for your processes, not a software that forces you to adapt.

Training & Implementation – Transitioning to a new system can create a roller coaster of anticipation and preparation. It’s important for your vendor to understand your current processes and create a game plan customized to your institution’s needs. A proper project management process ensures deadlines are met and is critical to a smooth implementation. Ask if you will receive phone support or if their team will come onsite for face to face training.

Scalability – The business landscape is continually changing as technology and regulations continue to evolve.  Seek a company that is willing to embrace customer feedback and grow with you. Ask about product roadmaps and what product enhancements are in the pipeline.

Data Protection – Safeguarding critical customer information from corruption, compromise or loss needs remains the forefront of priorities. Cyber-attacks are increasingly prevalent and no one wants their organization to be associated with the next data breach. Ask the vendor what methods they utilize to protect your data.

• Will data be encrypted on the network?
• Do they utilize multi-factor authentication?
• Is there a disaster recovery plan?
• Do the undergo regular audits? (SOC 1 or SOC 2)

References – Request a customer reference list and call current customers to ensure vendor satisfaction and credibility.

Your research and due diligence will pay off; good luck in your decision making process!  If our team can be of assistance, Contact Us.