This credit union, which has more than $1.2 billion in assets and approximately 119,000 members, will install Episys in-house.

According to John Bommarito, CEO of Western Federal Credit Union, "We respect the role that technology plays in our credit union's ability to realize our growth, service, and operational goals. After carefully evaluating our short- and long-term technology requirements and the tangible benefits that a feature-rich core system could generate, we selected Episys for our in-house host system. Based on the results of a comprehensive evaluation, we are convinced that Episys provides the functionality and flexibility that is most compatible with our ongoing technology requirements." With a merger pending between Western and Toyota Federal Credit Union, currently a Symitar client, Mr. Bommarito added, "Episys will be the system for the merged entity and as such, we are anxious to install Episys and begin supporting our members and our business strategy with its superior functionality."

Kathy Hooker Burress, president of Symitar, said, "We are excited to add this progressive growth- and service-focused credit union to our client roster, and to once again expand our presence among credit unions with more than $1 billion in assets. Episys has now been selected by approximately 30 percent of the credit unions with assets exceeding $1 billion. It also is especially rewarding to earn new clients based on the endorsements of our existing clients, evaluations that are as extensive as the one conducted by Western, and the recommendation of credit union professionals that have first-hand experience with Episys and Symitar's commitment to service. Since technology plays a mission-critical role in every credit union's success in today's highly competitive financial services industry, we believe Symitar is uniquely positioned to provide the business tools large and small credit unions need to attract, serve, and retain their members; aggressively compete; and maximize their business strategies."