Fintechs, Credit Unions Adjust to a New Coronavirus Normal
Fintech firms are offering free use of remote workforce tools as many credit union employees transition to working from home.
A number of financial technology providers, and credit unions, are reaching out and adjusting their operations and locations during the coronavirus outbreak to help the credit union communities they serve.
The Salt Lake City-based core data processing CUSO Prodigy (formerly CUProdigy), announced all employees are now working from home. It took the CUSO less than an hour to retool operations for an extended work-at-home scenario. Every employee is able to access 100% of the systems they need to do their jobs.
Prodigy also maintained its data centers remain adequately staffed to ensure 100% up-time of all systems; and prepared for 100% remote conversions. If travel restrictions impact upcoming core data processing conversions, Prodigy said it can complete those conversions remotely. The CUSO said it will ship webcams to upcoming conversion credit unions to assure a level of face-to-face interaction.
“Especially in times of crisis, it is imperative that credit unions keep their virtual doors open and their systems running, Prodigy CEO Amber Harsin said. Harsin indicated since all its systems reside in Prodigy’s private cloud, it is very easy to switch to a work-at-home setting. Harsin added that the CUSO will take additional measures as necessary based on the changing situation.
The Sandy, Utah-based interactive video banking solution POPi/o allocated 10,000 free video seat licenses for the next 60 days to help financial institutions and consumers stay safe and connected via web-based video collaboration, and maintain critical access to financial services.
“As banks and credit unions across the country are tasked with providing branch services without jeopardizing the safety of their staff or customers, POPi/o is uniquely positioned to address this challenge and is eager to help with our proprietary mobile and web video platform,” POPi/o founder/CEO Gene Pranger said.
The free video seat licenses are available to any financial institution in need of a safe method for providing branch services while protecting staff and customers from possible contagions. Initiating live, face-to-face video chat equipped with real-time digital collaboration, customers can interact with staff to securely share financial documents, including photo IDs; review and sign forms for authorizing new accounts and loans; and address other urgent financial needs.
Tracey Miller, SVP/vice president of operations from the Mountain Home, Idaho-based Pioneer Federal Credit Union ($490 million), having already deployed POP/io video banking and NCR interactive teller machines, said, “myPioneer Personal Assistant (Pop/io) and our Personal Teller Machines (ITMs) have both had a positive impact for our team members and membership in the concerns over COVID-19. Both offer options for our members that are trying to avoid crowds or going out in public. We have seen a steady uptick in serving our members through these remote channels and hope to continue to see that grow.”
The Tampa Bay, Fla.-based security awareness training and simulated phishing platform provider KnowBe4 mobilized its entire workforce in only one day. To help its workers amidst the coronavirus outbreak, KnowBe4 is offering every employee $200 in additional compensation to help offset any extra costs they may incur for internet or phone, and for benefits they receive in the office such as free snacks and end of month lunches.
“KnowBe4 thrives on an upbeat, in-person team atmosphere within all of our offices around the world, so setting up all 884 employees to work from home in just one day was a massive challenge,” Stu Sjouwerman, CEO of KnowBe4, said. “I’m especially grateful to each member of our incredible IT department who took strategic steps to order extra equipment, train staff and to develop best practices for working from home very quickly.”