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As credit unions, you have a lot on your plates. Financial technology is moving at a rapid pace, member expectations continue to grow, and day-to-day operations are vast.
At Synergent, we are part of your team. Our focus is on helping you with operational solutions, strategy, training, and support so you can have more time to focus on your members. Arming your staff with the tools, knowledge, and resources to provide impactful member experiences is a responsibility we take seriously.
Ultimately, your members are what it’s all about.
We achieved so much together this year. Education and networking are vital in terms of knowing what solutions are available and how to best leverage them to serve members. We gathered in-person for the annual Connect Conference, where we focused on partnership during the two-day event held at the Samoset Resort in Rockport, Maine. The days were packed with valuable information presented by industry-renowned speakers and subject matter experts. Credit union staff members had the opportunity to learn about the latest products and strategies, and network with credit union colleagues from across the country. Renowned speakers included Adam Lee from TruStage, Caroline Vahrenkamp from Filene Research Institute, Brandon Krebs from Jack Henry, Jordan Gardner from Visa, Keith Gray from The Clearing House, and Joni Hopkins from Federal Reserve Financial Services. We talked about DEI, credit union growth strategies, FedNow®, the next generation of digital consumers, and money movement in the faster payments space. Training opportunities were also expanded to include new in-person and online training opportunities for Symitar® Basic for Tellers, Symitar® Advanced for Tellers, Shared Branching, and Credit Union Philosophy and Values.
The Latest Solutions and Expanded Consulting
Delivering solutions to simplify your processes is another way we serve as an extension of your team. We launched Synergent Intelligent Query, a new CU workflow solution, the File Maintenance History by User report, RTP® Receive, Card Risk Office, and 3D Secure. We completed enhancements and upgrades to XAccount Change, Loan Snapshot, Advanced Collection Screen, My Synergent, and many more. We also kept you informed about many evolving payments topics, including Reg II changes, ways to prevent BIN Attacks, interchange, NSF and courtesy fees, and contactless cards.
Having an expert ready to consult on a variety of areas has been beneficial for many credit unions. Our consulting offerings grew in 2023, with expanded consults offered for core, payments, and marketing.
Award-Winning Marketing for Credit Unions
Getting the message to members through targeted, intentional communications was achieved by our award-winning Marketing Services team, who helped three credit unions win CUNA Diamond Awards and five credit unions win MAC Awards this year. Numerous editions of Creative Strategies were released, covering ways to stay top-of-wallet, auto and recreational vehicle lending, home lending, and payments marketing. Campaigns on perennial topics such as onboarding, reboarding, skip-a-pay, credit cards, HELOCs, and mortgages brought significant ROI to so many of our credit union partners.
Safeguarding Security with Fraud Prevention
Preventing fraud continues to be a top priority. Synergent was thanked by the U.S. Secret Service for our role in their card skimming investigation. This year, the perpetrator was brought to justice. In Synergent Insights, our monthly newsletter, we introduced a fraud prevention tip-of-the-month series. We talked about social engineering, card skimming, PC best practices, ATM safety, identity fraud, cybersecurity, and cryptocurrency scams. We are in the process of upgrading our IBM Power 10 Servers to ensure security and reliability continue without interruption at an interval that is fiscally responsible and proactive.
Dedicated to Our Community
Giving back to our community here in our home state of Maine is another place where we are standing with local credit unions shoulder to shoulder. The Campaign for Ending Hunger remains our signature social responsibility initiative. We supported the $100,000 Challenge, Meals for Mainers, and our team volunteered at Good Shepherd Food Bank. Additionally, members of the Synergent team volunteered with you statewide at Financial Fitness Fairs in our schools.
We are here solely to support credit unions. The People Helping People philosophy is in our DNA, and we are proud to work with you. Whether offering products, services, education, strategy, or consulting, we are here for you and with you. We value the partnership we have with credit unions coast-to-coast and right here in Maine where our story begins. No matter the task, big or small, Synergent is here to help.
