ST. LOUIS–Vantage Credit Union has converted its core operating system to the Episys platform from Symitar. The conversion followed 13 months of hard work and planning by credit union staff that followed four years of due-diligence on the project.
According to the company, the implementation process included creating a large group of subject matter experts (SMEs) and a small group of super SMEs from each area of the credit union to handle, test, and suggest customization for their individual pieces of the conversion package.
“It was important to the Vantage management team that staff be engaged in personalizing the individual pieces to better meet their member's needs,” Symitar said. “Throughout each phase of the process, from selection to post-conversion, a team of professionals from Symitar worked around-the-clock with Vantage staff to ensure the transition would be seamless.”
Symitar reported that more than 680 credit unions currently rely on the Episys platform for their data processing needs.
“This product is well designed to improve our overall operations,” said Debbie Meyer, Vantage Project Manager. “If we can cut costs and reduce back-office workloads, then we can spend more time focusing on our members and their needs.”
Among the other Symitar tools being deployed by Vantage include eBranch, internet loan application, mobile app, and automated phone access.
“The new lending system allowed the credit union to upgrade its internet loan application,” Symitar said. “It’s now a guided, simple, and mobile-responsive application that includes the ability for members to calculate their estimated monthly payment based on loan type, loan amount, term, and credit score to help them decide whether or not they’d like to proceed with their application.”
The automated phone access system is also new and incorporates two former systems into one, making it more efficient from a support and enhancement standpoint.
The new Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system will improve communications and work flow to better serve members. It reduces the need for multiple systems. Employees essentially can learn one system as opposed to the original three, enabling them to better nurture each member relationship, Symitar said.