The 100 year-old bank, with five locations in Kansas and Nebraska and assets of $184 million, is taking a big step forward into its second century by selecting a suite of innovative solutions from Fiserv. Full integration of these solutions will enable Astra Bank to consolidate customer and account information and to decrease the need to re-enter the same data in multiple systems. The integration between debit card processing services from Fiserv and the Precision bank platform will bring real-time information to frontline employees. The bank also cited the system's scalability, user-friendly functionality and industry-leading product offerings as key factors in its decision to choose Fiserv.

As part of a comprehensive suite of Fiserv solutions, the bank selected the Precision bank platform and outsourced account processing services, as well as Branch Source Capture and Merchant Source Capture for remote deposits, Business Analytics for enterprise-wide reporting functionality, CheckFree RXP for bill payment, ZashPay for person-to-person payments, Director for document imaging, Fiserv Clearing Network for image exchange and card services solutions for debit card processing.

"The integration and innovation offered by Fiserv products and services is unparalleled," said Kyle Campbell, president of Astra Bank. "Prior to selecting Fiserv we were at a competitive disadvantage and internally we were dealing with significant headaches. As our bank continues to grow and adapt to changing economic conditions, Fiserv enables us to offer the services our customers want most."

Astra Bank offers a mix of retail and agricultural banking but also supports a smaller number of commercial banking customers. Newly implemented Source Capture Solutions(R) from Fiserv will give Astra Bank competitive advantage by helping the bank to better serve those customers with the convenience of making deposits from remote locations, while enabling the bank to expand its footprint. Astra Bank deployed Merchant Source Capture, which enables corporations and merchants to make online deposits from their offices, with minimal investment in time and equipment. The bank also implemented Branch Source Capture, a solution that streamlines retail deposits at the back counter and will help Astra Bank to help eliminate courier costs and processing delays.

Having acquired two financial institutions since 2007, Astra Bank expects to continue to grow through acquisition while expanding organically in its existing markets. As such, the bank expects the Fiserv solutions will scale with continued growth and aid in this objective.

"As Astra Bank begins a second century of excellence, Fiserv looks forward to helping the bank continue to grow by building on its reputation for top-notch customer service and sound banking practices," said Teri Carstensen, division president, Bank Solutions, Fiserv. "Together, Fiserv and Astra Bank will deliver innovative, best-in-breed products and services to its customers, while streamlining bank operations and increasing efficiencies. Astra Bank is now strategically positioned for continued success, and we'll be doing all we can to help them get there."