WESTBROOK, Maine–Representatives of Synergent, a unit of the Maine Credit Union League, and the Irish League of Credit Unions have held discussions on how the credit union movement can “work together to achieve better outcomes for members through technology.”
The virtual meeting was coordinated by the World Council of Credit Unions and included teams from the Irish League and Synergent.
According to the two organizations, the Irish League, a WOCCU direct member organization representing 326 credit unions in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, is working to develop a digital transformation plan to help their credit unions grow and meet evolving member needs.
“Because Synergent is a leading, credit union-owned managed services provider that offers technology, payments, and marketing services, WOCCU asked Synergent to provide their Irish colleagues their insight,” the company said.
Synergent noted it has engaged in similar roundtable discussions with WOCCU and credit union professionals from Barbados, Rwanda, Kenya, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
‘Thrilled’ to be Asked
“We were thrilled when World Council of Credit Unions asked us if we would collaborate with our peers in Ireland about efficiencies and best practices,” said Todd Mason, President/CEO of Synergent. “By sharing best practices, we all become better positioned to drive growth in our movement and expand the products and services we provide to our members. We want credit unions to succeed here at home, but also globally. The more people that can experience the credit union difference, the better!”
During their dialogue, the organizations said Synergent and the Irish League discussed how each of their credit union systems keep pace with changing technological demands. Synergent said it also provided a brief overview of its state-of-the-art core processing solutions, customized programming, automation processes, and customer service.
‘Many Commonalities’
“Like Synergent, the Irish League works with credit unions of all sizes and with varying needs,” said Ben Jordan, Senior Vice President of Information Technology at Synergent. “We offered insight into our own approach and how we work with credit unions and our vendor partners to provide products and services that lead to exceptional member experiences. At the end of the day, everything we do is member-driven—a sentiment that our colleagues in Ireland not only appreciated, but shared. We have many commonalities.”
Added Brian Branch, WOCCU President and CEO, “The digital transformation of the global credit union system championed through our Challenge 2025 initiative took on a new urgency due to COVID-19,” said Brian Branch, WOCCU President and CEO. “Members have come to consider digital financial services to be a necessity, rather than a convenience. Synergent has long been a model which we have shared with our international colleagues. Cooperation and sharing between organizations like Synergent and the Irish League are critical to achieving what is today an urgent digital transformation of credit unions worldwide.”