Because your credit union core system is vital to the functionality of your credit union as a whole, it's important to partner with the right core solution provider who can deliver the technology and services that best suit the needs of your credit union. Of course, finding the perfect credit union core system involves time and effort, but if you follow the right steps, you’ll be on your way towards a better partnership in no time.

Having the right core processing system is one of the most important components of running an efficient credit union. However, sometimes it feels like technology is evolving at such a rapid pace that it’s hard to keep up. Also, the task of changing core processing systems can be complicated and time-consuming. These are just a few reasons many credit unions continue to use outdated core systems.

The onset of COVID-19 left many questions in credit unions' minds. FLEX had nine credit unions scheduled for conversion between March - August 2020. Of these nine credit unions, six required remote/virtual implementations based on State mandates for travel and corresponding quarantine. Virtual implementations were successfully performed by FLEX training teams in New Mexico, Georgia, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, New York and Virginia. When some core processors were working with credit unions to postpone or reschedule their core conversion, FLEX was working with staff and credit unions to modify implementation and training procedures. Necessity is the mother of invention. Understanding that physical proximity is becoming increasingly unnecessary (although it may still be preferred), FLEX began implementing remote conversion plans. Here is a summary of the takeaways of our experiences.

As 2020 began we, at FLEX Credit Union Technology, were not predicting a health crisis. In fact, a health pandemic and its impact was not even a conscious thought. As we look back on three quarters of business, we are amazed at how unfamiliar, yet normal 2020 has felt. We have always pointed to the virtue of being able to pivot quickly as a company and deliver technologies that meet our credit union customer expectations and their members needs. With over 260 credit union customers running FLEX in 47 states, our exposure and perspective to the health crisis has been deep and layered.

Developing a strategic plan is often a major project requiring the input and work of multiple people throughout your credit union. From analyzing the prior year’s successes and shortcomings to setting new goals, objectives and the actions required to meet them, the strategic plan provides the roadmap to get your organization from point A to point B – efficiently and effectively. Or so you thought.

This Summer, a change to checking regulations, set in motion almost ten years ago, came into effect. Here is a little history of Regulation CC along with its impacts on credit union compliance and members that your credit union needs to be aware of. 

Credit unions may have once been considered the mom and pop of the financial institution industry, but those days are long gone. Credit unions operate under similar regulatory standards as banks and experience the same threats in regards to fraud and illegal transactions. Credit unions need to have heightened awareness and modern technology to identify and mitigate fraudulent activity and maintain regulatory compliance.

Financial services are fraught with risk. Any service built around the exchange of money is going to get the attention of all sorts of ne'er-do-wells, from your average scammer to extremely advanced cybercriminal operations that are adept at hiding their tracks. A credit union must protect its members and their assets, and failure to do so will discredit your viability as a trusted institution. Fortunately, credit unions have the benefit of a network of advisory organizations to help educate and assist in the identification of threats. The right credit union technology can also provide advanced tools to detect fraud. Used in combination, these resources will help ensure you provide your members with the security they need and expect.

Cybersecurity is a systemic risk that affects all levels of business, government and ordinary people. It is such a high-risk area for credit unions that the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) placed cybersecurity as a top focus for exams. As the cybersecurity world continues to evolve, it's important that your credit union is prepared for possible threats. Be proactive and shield your credit union from the ever-changing cybersecurity universe now.

There's a conspiracy theory out there that Facebook is listening to us. For example, let's say someone is talking about their leaf blower being broken and within a day ads for leaf blowers are showing up on their feed. Marketers have gotten quite clever with their targeting, whether it's through "big brother" as we imagine or not. Shopping is happening all of the time and consumers are becoming more trusting of shooting payments off to merchants they know nothing about. While most of these are likely safe, it does create a very simple opportunity for bad actors to fake an eCommerce store and steal member information. As eCommerce grows, so must the layers of security protocols.