SAFE Federal Credit Union invests $3.7 million in new banking technology
June 17, 2020
A $3.7 million total contract investment in new banking technology is complete at SAFE Federal Credit Union, following the replacement of the organization’s core banking software.
Provided by the Symitar division of Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.®, the new software manages SAFE’s banking operations, account openings, and transaction processing at the $1.1 billion credit union.
“This is an investment in our members and in the future,” said President and CEO Michael Baker. “With our advanced core banking system, we can bring members more service improvements and product innovation – not just now, but for years to come.”
Because of the large scope of the project, planning began more than two years ago and the conversion date was set well before the COVID-19 outbreak. However, the pandemic created additional challenges for an already major initiative.
“Our executive team and board had the confidence and our employees had the energy to keep this project powering forward for our members regardless of what was happening around us,” Baker said.
To accomplish the transition in the midst of the pandemic, Symitar made the project the first virtual core conversion in the company’s history. The move allowed teams from SAFE and Symitar to collaborate, test, and install the new core system on schedule without introducing COVID-19 health risks. Shanon McLachlan, president of Symitar, said, “This was an encouraging display of teamwork and discipline, as well as a motivator for us.”
The core banking system is the latest in a series of technology upgrades at SAFE. In January, the credit union launched a new $1.1 million online and mobile banking platform for a total technology investment of $4.8 million.
Based in Sumter, SAFE Federal Credit Union serves more than 126,000 members and is one of the largest financial institutions headquartered in South Carolina.
About Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.
Jack Henry (NASDAQ:JKHY) is a leading provider of technology solutions primarily for the financial services industry. We are an S&P 500 company that serves approximately 9,000 clients nationwide through three divisions: Jack Henry Banking® supports banks ranging from community banks to multi-billion-dollar institutions; Symitar® provides industry-leading solutions to credit unions of all sizes; and ProfitStars® offers highly specialized solutions to financial institutions of every asset size, as well as diverse corporate entities outside of the financial services industry. With a heritage that has been dedicated to openness, partnership, and user centricity for more than 40 years, we are well-positioned as a driving market force in future-ready digital solutions and payment processing services. We empower our clients and consumers with the human-centered, tech-forward, and insights-driven solutions that will get them where they want to go. Are you future ready?
About SAFE Federal Credit Union
SAFE Federal Credit Union, founded in 1955, is the one of the largest financial institutions based in South Carolina with over $1.1 billion in total assets, 126,000 members, and 17 branches. Membership is open to anyone who lives, works, worships, or goes to school in Sumter, Lee, Kershaw, Clarendon, and Florence counties, as well as parts of Richland, and Lexington counties. Membership is also open to employees of more than 500 companies located throughout the Midlands and relatives of those eligible to join. Connect with us at www.SAFEfed.org, on Facebook.com/SAFEfederalcreditunion or @SAFEFCU.
