State Employees Upgrades Its 'ASK-SECU' Line
RALEIGH, N.C.-State Employees' Credit Union has significantly upgraded the speed of its ASK-SECU line, the credit union's voice response system. SECU said the upgrade has meant it's a "blazing speed demon" compared to its predecessor. "With over double the call capacity, direct digital connectivity and upgraded, more powerful servers, the rollout of the new ASK-SECU system means occasional busy signals and prolonged waits are a thing of the past," the credit union said. In addition, in the past, members needed only to enter the last seven digits of their card number, along with their password, to access the system. To increase the security of the system, members must now enter their entire card number. Members also have the option of interacting in Spanish.
Empire Corp. Provides Marketing Assistance
ALBANY, N.Y.-Empire Corporate said it is now providing marketing support for members using any or all of its e-commerce suite of products, which include Home Banking, Electronic Bill Payment, and Consumer Check Image Access products. "We understand that marketing budgets are often tight for credit unions, especially if you are creating a campaign from conception through to multiple print and web media," noted Victor A. Vrigian, Jr., SVP, Member Sales & Service.
Empire's marketing support-available to member credit unions newly signed up for an Empire electronic product, or currently using an Empire product-includes a choice of six professionally designed marketing "themes." The themes and several print samples can be viewed at www.empirecorp.org. A free sample marketing kit is available allowing credit unions to select one of the six themes and then order-purchase the materials they want. All materials can be customized with the credit union's logo and information. The marketing materials available include posters, brochures, envelope stuffers, teller signs, and postcards. In addition, Empire is also including a free CD-ROM of some general marketing pieces such as: sample newsletter articles, website banners, customizable sample press releases, on-hold message scripts, receipt messages, and more. For info: www.empirecorp.com.
Jack Henry Announces Signings
MOFFET, Mo.-Jack Henry said it and its subsidiaries, including Symitar Systems, have signed contracts with a number of new credit union clients for various data processing solutions, including the $385-million Education Employees Credit Union in Missouri; the $120-million United Bay City CU, Michigan; the $520-million MAX FCU in Montgomery, Ala.; the $623-million DM FCU in Tucson, Ariz.; the $144-million E&A Credit Union, Port Huron, Mich.; the $21-million Entertainment FCU in Denver; the $285-million Educational Employees CU in Fort Worth, Texas; the $257-million Y-12 FCU in Oak Ridge, Tenn.; the $94-million River City FCU in San Antonio; the $116-million NuMark CU in Joliet, Ill.; the $421-million Firstmark Credit Union, San Antonio, and the $2.3-billion CEFCU, Peoria, Ill.
Marquette Catholic 1st To Episys
MILWAUKEE, Wis.- Marquette Catholic Credit Union here has become the first Symitar client to convert to Episys in an outsourced environment. San Diego-based Symitar, Jack Henry & Associates Inc.'s service and softwares ubsidiary serving the credit union industry, operates Episys from its Outlink Data Center in Lenexa, Kan., and offers both Episys and Cruise systems in either an in-house or outsourced environment.
Eight additional credit unions are scheduled for Episys conversions via Symitar's OutLink services, including the $200-million FEDEX Employees Credit Association in Memphis, Tenn. Kansas Corporate Credit Union is scheduled to convert to Episys on the OutLink Data Center in January 2004, representing the first corporate credit union for Symitar's OutLink services. In February, the $32-billion U.S. Central Credit Union chose Symitar to replace the core processing capabilities of the Corporate Credit Union Network (CCUN) system.
For info: www.symitar.com.
Sanigas Implements easyLENDER
SAGINAW, Mich.- Wanigas FCU has implemented the easyLENDER Mortgage loan origination and processing solution from Fiserv Lending Solutions, Lake Mary, Fla. The company said the software will assist WFCU in accelerating the loan process, improving efficiency and providing better service. "We wanted a system that could be managed and administered by mortgage personnel-and didn't require someone with an extensive technical background to manage on a daily basis," said Lisa L. Shoemaker, Wanigas' Mortgage Operations Manager. For info: 407-829-4224 or www.fiserv.com.
AFTECH Hosts Appreciation Day
MALVERN, Penn.-Credit union clients served by AFTECH were treated to a day of relaxation (and a half day of work) at AFTECH's first Client Appreciation Days last week. Clients were given a choice of events from which to choose, and all were served dinner at Tattersall Club's historic Bordley House Grill. Clients divided their day into two groups, with CEOs meeting with AFTECH's management to discuss ideas and insights for credit union business processes that promote growth and improvements in operational productivity. IT executives met simultaneously to review the success of the AFTECH Technology Partnership Council, a group of client IT executives who advise AFTECH on software development. Both groups also received an overview of new AFTECH products, including the RD3 data analysis and reporting tool.
Separately, AFTECH has begun shipping its 2003 annual software release to clients as scheduled in mid-August. AFTECH President Joe Antellocy. "This year's release contains over 35 new product offerings or upgrades, which have been field tested and designed with direct input from AFTECH clients," he said.
For info: www.fiserv.com.
1st Upgrade To HP9000 Platform
CORVALLIS, Ore.-Summit Information Systems said it has completed the upgrade of Southern New England Financial CU from the HP 3000 platform to the UNIX-based HP9000 platform. In November 2001, HP announced plans to phase out its MPE-iX-based HP3000 platform by Dec. 31, 2006. "Unlike a core system conversion where very complex data verification tasks and processes are involved, this HP-UX migration is a non-event for both front-office credit union employees and members," said CEO Kevin Sparks said.
For info: www.fiserv.com.
