Bank reaches 12 percent increase in deposits
Old Second National Bank of Aurora, Ill., an Open Solutions Inc ® client since the late nineties, has reported significant benefits realized from Check 21 legislation through the use of Open Solutions’ Imaged Payment Technologies Group. After deploying Open Solutions’ suite of imaging products, including check imaging, remote deposit capture, remote branch capture, Internet-based access to check images and image statements, automated MICR reject repair, Intranet-based research and CAR/LAR, Old Second National has experienced 12 percent growth in deposits. Open Solutions is a leading provider of integrated enabling technologies for financial service providers across the United States, Canada and international markets.
According to Keith Gottschalk, EVP - operations, Old Second National, “We were in need of a solution that would be congruent with our long-term strategic goals. At Old Second National, we saw the opportunities presented by Check 21 legislation, prompting us to immediately explore technologies that would allow us to reap the benefits. As an early adopter of check imaging technology, the bank realized the cost benefits early on. Now, the Federal Reserve has realized those benefits as restructuring efforts continue to reduce the number of processing sites.”
With $3 billion in assets, Old Second National has 36 branches with check imaging capabilities. Implementing the technology in 2005, Old Second National was one of the first institutions to deploy check-imaging and has realized benefits such as a 60 percent reduction in courier costs, faster funds availability and geographic expansion of more than 75 miles. In addition, the bank has an extended deposit deadline of more than four hours, allowing customers to deposit check items until 7 p.m. Old Second National also cited Open Solutions as a great partner in deploying its imaging technologies.
“With the emergence of Check 21 legislation, we were able to transform the way we conduct banking operations,” said John Sarto, AVP of operations for Old Second National. “In the image environment, we have seen a significant reduction in the time spent to process our more than 100,000 items per day. This has allowed us to realize labor cost savings as we maintain the same number of employees, while exponentially increasing both transactions and deposits. In addition, we no longer have to build more branches to serve a broader customer base. With imaging technology, we have expanded our reach by more than 75 miles.”
Old Second National began its check imaging deployment with Open Solutions’ image cash letters. According to Sarto, “We felt it made more sense to first deploy the cash letters and then shift to branch capture. Many institutions begin with branch capture, but we wanted to build a solid platform that we piloted with the Federal Reserve System and corresponding banks.”
After Old Second National tested the technology in response to the growing market demand and the competitive landscape, it soon incorporated merchant capture.
“Since 2004, Check 21 legislation has significantly altered the way institutions conduct operations,” said Louis Hernandez, Jr., chairman and CEO of Open Solutions. “Open Solutions was one of the first providers of a check imaging solution designed specifically for community financial institutions, and our customizable, flexible imaging solutions were designed to allow institutions like Old Second National to better serve their retail and business customers. The Check 21 phenomenon continues to be a viable growth strategy for financial institutions across the United States, and Open Solutions remains committed to providing institutions with the innovative technologies to complement their overall Check 21 strategies.”
About Open Solutions Inc.
Open Solutions Inc. offers a fully-featured strategic information management product platform that integrates core data processing applications built on a single, centralized Oracle relational database with Internet banking, cash management, CRM/business intelligence, financial accounting and management tools, profitability tools, wealth management, imaging, digital documents, interactive voice response, network services, HSAs, payments and loan origination solutions.
Open Solutions’ full suite of products and services allows banks, thrifts, credit unions and financial services providers in the United States, Canada and internationally to better compete in today’s aggressive financial services marketplace, and expand and tap their trusted financial relationships, client affinity, community presence and personalized service.
For more information about Open Solutions or its financial product lines, contact Mickey Goldwasser by email at mgoldwasser@opensolutions.com, by phone at 860.652.3153 or via fax at 860.652.3156. Visit Open Solutions’ Internet site at www.opensolutions.com.