The $464 million, 38,900-member Members Choice Credit Union in Houston has become the first to use a new hosted core processing solution from Symitar, the affiliate of Jack Henry & Associates said this week.

Members Choice, already an Episys core system user, is now running it through the SymitarEASE option, which outsources the operation, management and security of the core system as well as hosts all third-party solutions, the company said.

In addition, the company's ProfitStars division will be providing the credit union enterprise security and network services through its Gladiator suite, including a fully redundant network domain environment in a secondary facility.

In a statement, Members Choice President/CEO Steve Gilman said, “We have seen rapid growth in a challenging environment; outsourcing is our best option to maintain that momentum and remain profitable. I see outsourcing core, security, and network functions as a smart step in preparing for inevitable changes to our banking environment. We want to focus on optimizing available applications within the core, instead of maintaining IT commodities.”

Symitar President Ted Bilke said, “This is the first time one of our credit union clients will outsource core and complementary products, hosting, and managing a co-location type offering. Credit unions are on an ongoing search for cost-effective solutions that also encourage innovation and turnkey outsourcing supports both of those goals.”