Demonstrating the momentum of its core banking solution, the Phoenix System, Harland Financial Solutions announced today seven new banks have signed agreements to operate the product in an in-house or outsourced environment.
Harland Financial Solutions, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of John H. Harland Company (NYSE: JH). The Phoenix System currently services 122 clients globally.
Lydian Private Bank, headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens , Fla., is the Phoenix System's newest in-house client. The bank, with assets of $1.4 billion, currently uses Harland Financial Solutions' INTERLINQ loan servicing product and knew that it would continue to receive the exceptional service it has come to expect from the vendor.
To Lydian Private Bank's CEO, Rory Brown, having his core vendor understand the organization's business model was also important. "We've had an excellent relationship with Harland Financial Solutions over the past few years," said Brown. "It was important to us that they truly understand our bank and our unique needs."
Private Bank of Minneapolis, Minn. joins a number of clients that have implemented the Phoenix System in an outsourced environment. The nine-year-old bank has assets of $124 million and specializes in private banking. A key factor in their decision to utilize the Phoenix System was the openly integrated technology and the references they received from existing customers.
"We are really impressed by the technology of the system," said co-founder and CEO David Waldo. "After speaking with some existing clients about their experiences with Harland Financial Solutions, we knew we were making the right choice," In addition to the Phoenix System, the bank will license Pro Suite, CaptureQuest and Intrieve Item Processing.
Other new Phoenix System clients include Community National Bank of the South of Lake Mary, Fla., a de novo that also will be utilizing Harland checks, Pro Suite, Intrieve Item Processing, and CaptureQuest; First Community Bank of Harlingen, Texas which also will license Encore! under its new contract; First National Bank of Pasco of Dade City, Fla. which currently also uses Intrieve Item Processing, Laser Pro, Deposit Pro, Sales Pro and Harland checks; Northside Bank of Adairsville, Ga., a de novo that will license Pro Suite, CaptureQuest and Intrieve Item Processing under its new agreement; and Shoreline Bank of Shoreline, Wash. which currently also uses Laser Pro, Deposit Pro, FMS Financial Accounting Suite and Harland checks.
"The Phoenix System offers superior benefits to our clients. The momentum we have seen in recent months reinforces the banking community values, its advanced capabilities and the flexibility provided by the XML interface," said Bill Zayas, senior vice president and general manager of the Phoenix System. "Its easy integration and platform independence enable our clients to utilize the technology of their choosing, allowing them to leverage both their existing and future investments."
Harland Financial Solutions offers its Phoenix System through both in-house and outsourced environments. Clients selecting the outsourced model are processed through a state-of-the-art Enterprise Service Center in Cincinnati, Ohio .
Seperately, six additional banks have signed agreements to implement Harland Financial Solutions' SPARAK System in-house core banking solution, the company announced today.
The SPARAK System currently services 294 clients across the United States .
With $79 million in assets, Liberty Bell Bank of Cherry Hill , New Jersey recently expanded its existing relationship with the financial services vendor by signing an agreement to process with the SPARAK System. Specializing in commercial lending and retail banking, the bank emphasizes high-touch, high-tech banking and knowing their customers through the use of technology. Liberty Bell also utilizes Harland Financial Solutions' Laser Pro, Deposit Pro, Sales Pro, CheckQuest, CaptureQuest and the Intrieve in-house check printing system. By implementing the SPARAK System, Liberty Bell will be able to leverage the easy integration of their core system with these other products, providing enhanced operational efficiency.
Further extending its relationship with Harland Financial Solutions, 91-year-old Farmer's Trust & Savings Bank also reached an agreement to utilize the SPARAK System. The bank, located in Buffalo Center, Iowa and with assets of $115 million, plans to convert in October 2005. In conjunction with the SPARAK System, the bank will use CheckQuest for item processing and CaptureQuest for electronic document management. The bank cited its present relationship with Harland Financial Solutions, and the knowledge that it will receive quality service, as reasons for its selection. Migrating to the SPARAK System will enable the bank to transition from manual to electronic processes, thereby dramatically improving its efficiencies and enhancing the service it offers customers.
Although new to using the SPARAK System, Alliance Development Fund of Colorado and The State Bank of Wheaton in Minnesota are not new to working with Harland Financial Solutions. In addition to BankServ, Alliance Development Fund currently uses financial.center for loan processing, while The State Bank of Wheaton also uses Harland checks, Deposit Pro and Laser Pro, and will implement CheckQuest as part of its new agreement. Other new SPARAK System clients include the Bank of Alapaha, Alapaha, Georgia and Janesville State Bank, Janesville, Minnesota.
"This comprehensive core system is an excellent fit for community banks looking to maximize productivity and improve customer service," said Bill Zayas, senior vice president and general manager of the SPARAK System. "Together, with the Harland Financial Solutions family of products, the SPARAK System offers industry leading integration, empowering any institution to implement a total solution based on its specific needs and business goals."