Paving the way for CDCUs with CU Impact

Last fall, we shared a very exciting and meaningful, announcement: we forged a new partnership with the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions (Federation) to create CU Impact, a shared core banking platform designed specifically to help credit unions deliver affordable financial services to low-income members in underserved communities, which will have a massive impact on community development credit unions (CDCUs) and the communities in which they operate. We are now excited to announce that this partnership has been officially finalized, and we cannot wait to get the ball rolling. Not only is this an exciting new business venture for EPL, but also a great cause we were excited to get behind.  

Each year, 90 million Americans living in unbanked or underbanked households pay more than $90 billion in fees and interest to payday lenders and other lenders outside the financial mainstream. Most CDCUs, similar to other CUSOs and credit unions, have instilled within them the great desire to provide exceptional customer service. However, they are often strapped for resources, and therefore the advanced technology needed to provide a superior member experience. This is part of the reason we stepped in to help—EPL wanted to empower the Federation with the software solutions and services necessary to allow member CDCUs to expand access to safe, affordable banking products and services, and reach a greater number of underserved households.

Our core solution, i-POWER®, is known for its modern versatility, flexible integration capabilities and convenient plug-and-play functionality. This perfectly positioned us to work with the Federation, alongside our parent company, Dedagroup, to leverage the modern platform i-POWER® and develop CU Impact so that CDCUs have the opportunity to provide exceptional service, measure results, efficiently report and consolidate a number of essential tasks. By aggregating the accounting, compliance and processing functions across credit unions with a shared mission, CU Impact achieves economies of scale that allow credit unions to invest more in their members and communities.

Since our recent announcement, we have been working tirelessly to perfect the rollout of this product—after all, it will be serving more than 5 million residents of low-income urban, rural and reservation-based communities! We believe hearing from the people that will be using our software is most effective and influential, which is why a software advisory committee of leading community development credit unions will prioritize CU Impact software design and enhancements. CU Impact will be the first core platform that will support, deliver and measure the impact of credit union products and services that build the financial security of low-income members.

This initiative has been in development since 2013, when Citi Community Development provided financial support and expert insight to the Federation to determine the viability of building a dedicated core banking system to power the growth and impact of credit unions. Under the terms of the agreement, the Federation will purchase preferred stock in EPL, and we will match the Federation’s investment in CU Impact on an ongoing basis. Additionally, The W.K. Kellogg Foundation recently granted $559,500 for enhancements to CU Impact for the automation of small dollar loans and matched savings accounts.

Needless to say, we are thrilled to be a part of this meaningful and exciting venture, and look forward to our software having the opportunity to make a true difference for these CDCUs and the underserved, low-income individuals that they serve.

Robin Kolvek

Interim CEO

EPL, Inc.

Is it time to break up with your bank?

With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, people around the world are realizing just how in love they are – or, just how in love they are not. Such powerful emotions can sway individuals to make serious life decisions; decisions that may alter their future in a very real way. Of course, we’re talking about folks’ relationships with their bank.

In today’s analogy, your bank is your significant other (SO). Do you really trust your SO? Does your SO have your best interests at heart? Does your SO make you feel like you’re the most important thing in the world to them?

Perhaps instead, you’re feeling jaded; betrayed, even. Ready to stray. Abandon ship. If that’s true, then maybe it’s finally time to break up with your bank. The good news is that cupid’s arrow happens to be pointing straight toward your local credit union.

Here are just a few reasons why it might be time to call it quits with your bank and move on to a happier, healthier and more meaningful relationship with a credit union.

• Money, money, money – No one wants to spend their life paying for an absurdly expensive date, costing you more of your hard-earned money on as time goes on. Banks are notorious for hidden charges and fees, ranging from debit card usage fees to obscene overdraft charges to nonsensical ATM fees. On the other hand, credit unions will often pay you to use your card and, in some instances, even reimburse your ATM fees or forgive occasional overdraft mistakes. You want to spend your life with someone who truly cares about saving you money and invests in YOU, right?
•   Making big purchases is (slightly) easier – Buying a house or car can be overwhelming, so you want to partner with someone who is going to make it easier and help you make the right financial decisions for you. Mortgage APRs at credit unions and banks are very similar, but oftentimes credit unions will waive the origination fee, saving you thousands of dollars. Additionally, when it comes to car loans, banks’interest rates are usually slightly higher. 
• Credit unions care about others – Financial institutions in the credit union industry have a track record for going the extra mile and investing in their local or under-served communities. For example, in 2015 EPL partnered with the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions to develop CU Impact, a core banking platform designed to scale the delivery of innovative products and services offered by credit unions operating in low-income and underserved communities.  
• You’ll be treated the right way – Credit unions have a reputation for providing exceptional customer service to their members, as they are owned and operated by the members themselves. Your experience matters. Because of this, credit unions recognize the value of spectacular customer service and creating a positive customer experience. Unlike banks, you  won’t be helped by a robot – you’ll be assisted by a real human being from start to finish. In fact, a recent survey showed that credit union customers rated their overall satisfaction at 87 percent – 13 percent higher than the highest rated bank.

These few reasons are just the tip of the iceberg. If you’re ready to break up with your bank and enter a new, satisfactory relationship, look no further than your local credit union – you won’t be let down.

Robin Kolvek

 

Senior VP of Business Development

 

EPL, Inc.