This conversion was part of USE’s three-year plan to completely overhaul its technology and digital delivery – all with a focus to get, keep, and grow its membership.

As for the conversion, according to USECU’s President/CEO Jim Harris, it went very well, if not better, than he ever imagined. It was a complex project with several systems integrating with its core and each other. The conversion went so well, USECU was able to bring its online services into production two days earlier than planned – in addition to opening branches a day earlier than what was communicated to staff and members.

“The core conversion is a critical part of a longer term technology plan and enterprise-wide strategy,” Harris explains. “What’s great is that we shared with our team and members that implementing KeyStone is laying the foundation to better position us for future delivery. As a result of its [KeyStone] feature-rich functionality that was delivered with our implementation, we have already achieved efficiencies that were not previously available.”

From a staff perspective, Harris adds that implementing KeyStone is in direct response to USECU’s employees request to provide them with more modern and efficient tools to perform their jobs. As a bonus, the credit union’s technology team is receiving a platform with tools, which will allow it to control its own destiny regarding extensibility and enhancements.

“Our core will no longer be considered as a roadblock regarding service delivery, progress and innovation, which positively impacts our members,” he says. “As a result of KeyStone’s flexibility, we have options to integrate with best in class platforms or handle development internally.”

According to USECU’s CIO Steve Ewers, who’s been through or conducted nearly 30 conversions in his career, this conversion was unique in that Corelation made the credit union feel special. “We were treated more like a strategic partner, rather than just another client,” Ewers says. “In spite of converting a multi-billion dollar credit union just weeks before our go live date, the team from Corelation was remarkable and ensured we were well prepared for our conversion.”

“It’s been a hectic two months converting two very large credit unions, but we wouldn’t want it any other way,” says Corelation President Theresa Benavidez. “Having USECU become part of our Corelation family right here in San Diego means so much to us. Like all our clients, they are special in the work that they do for their members – which is all the motivation we need to provide them with the best technology and support in the industry. We look forward to working with them to meet and exceed all their technology goals.”

To date, Corelation has signed 40 credit unions with 25 live on KeyStone.