In addition to item processing, the center provides full-scale back-office services including item and image capture, document and check imaging, storage and archive capabilities, as well as the printing of image replacement documents (IRDs) and full electronic cash-letter services (ECL).

For many financial institutions, geography and proximity to Federal Reserve Bank locations can hinder processing times. With the opening of this center, institutions can significantly improve item-processing workflow while reducing operational costs. As a brand new facility, institutions will benefit from state-of-the-art technology including a .NET platform.

Commenting on the opening of Goldleaf's new payment processing center, John Tyson, COO of Darby Bank, stated, "Goldleaf has always been a leader in providing superior solutions to community financial institutions. Processing needs can vary by bank and region, and the opening of Goldleaf's new facility offers a tremendous resource for institutions wanting to save time and money. Goldleaf is a market leader for good reason - the company is innovative, experienced and 100 percent focused on creating quality solutions. There is no better partner in the industry."

Goldleaf was cognizant that different banks have different needs and designed the processing center to provide seamless integration with any core or third-party vendor. While the center offers a complete range of services, from fully outsourced item processing to specific payment processing functions, it also supports customization, as each bank has unique needs. The processing center is capable of performing image capture, balancing, cash letters and statement rendering. Goldleaf also offers several delivery options, including paper or e-mail statements. The center also offers transit item processing, inclearing item processing, ACH processing and check conversion, exception item processing, Internet-based item and statement research, account reconciliation services and statement rendering.

"Since inception more than 17 years ago, Goldleaf has made an ongoing commitment to invest in technology," said Matt Pribus, Executive Vice President of Information Technology and Operations of Goldleaf Financial Solutions. "That commitment, combined with our dedication to provide the highest level of customer service, has enabled Goldleaf to continue to bring strong solutions to the financial services market. This item-processing center epitomizes our goal to create services that allow our customers to compete more effectively and grow their businesses. We are committed to helping community financial institutions achieve the efficiencies presented when the flow of paper is stopped at the first of the process, not the last."

When opening this center, company officials wanted to create an environment that was payments oriented with no legacy architecture to overcome. This poses an advantage to financial institutions, as they are not hampered by legacy systems that require updates each time a new regulation is passed.

Pribus continued, "We capitalized on the opportunity to create a payments processing facility that leveraged the benefits of Check 21, as well as our leadership position in the remote deposit capture market. We did not want to be constrained by legacy systems or processes. We saw this center as an opportunity to extend our innovation and the philosophies behind our success with remote deposit."