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Gulf Winds Credit Union Gains Vendor Independence with API Integration

Gulf Winds Credit Union Gains Vendor Independence with API Integration
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FTSI launches new API infrastructure for Gulf Winds Credit Union

API Integration

MONROVIA, CA. AUGUST 25, 2022 - FTSI has partnered with Gulf Winds Credit Union to facilitate streamlining third-party vendor and internal system connections through Application Programming Interface (API) integration powered by ModusBox’s PortX Platform. 

 

API integration directed by FTSI’s digital experience team empowers Gulf Winds to gain control over their member experiences without redirecting members to third-party sites, providing a seamless, clean, and branded experience on both the front and back-end.   

 

“Gulf Winds is consistently looking for opportunities to increase agility by building integrations between various platforms,” said Patrick Wendolek, CIO & SVP at Gulf Winds. “FTSI and ModusBox was an easy choice for us, providing a wide range of integration capabilities and extensive knowledge of the financial industry. FTSI has played a key role in assisting us with setting up the platform and integrating several critical services.” 

 

Third-party connections for Gulf Winds include a digital banking provider, core provider, and credit offer provider. Through API integration, consumers can now receive instant loan offers via a third-party provider without leaving the GWCU website and have their financial needs happen in one central place.  

 

“An API-led approach offers speed, scalability, and cost savings to launch innovative initiatives and accelerates FinTech partnerships,” said Susan Napier, FTSI’s Chief Executive Officer. “FTSI’s digital experience team is here to architect the integration process, ensuring that the result meets all values and visions of the client.” 

 

FTSI’s support began with consultative sessions to help Gulf Winds determine their API and vendor strategies. FTSI and ModusBox will continue to guide any future changes and provide assistance as necessary, including developer resources. 

 

This integrative solution allows Gulf Winds to add, remove, and replace vendors without spending months on creating new custom integrations; they simply utilize past connections and reuse the work from the initial integration. 

 

In their next project, Gulf Winds will enable API integration for internal processes and systems. When a front-line employee updates contact information for a member, the information automatically synchronizes across all their digital platforms, saving several manual steps and shortening training time. 

 

Along with offering a smoother member experience, Gulf Winds anticipates that this new infrastructure will lead to streamlined deployments of future third-party integrations, simplifying employee training and cutting project times from 6 to 12 months to a few weeks, saving valuable internal resources.  

 

About FTSI  

FTSI is a minority-owned company and the largest independent provider of custom digital and branch solutions for financial institutions. FTSI offers a full suite of solutions including digital, custom app development, hardware, software, electronic security, software professional services, project management, service maintenance, cash services, and a range of consultative services. Visit ftsius.com to learn more. 

 

About Gulf Winds 

Since 1954, Gulf Winds Credit Union has offered products and services that Move Members Forward. Gulf Winds provides 76,000+ members with the convenience of 13 branch locations, digital banking, nationwide surcharge-free ATMs and the support of more than 200 knowledgeable employees committed to providing excellent service. Membership is open to anyone that lives, works, worships or attends school in North Florida, Southern Alabama and Southern Georgia. Visit GoGulfWinds.com for more information.  

 

About ModusBox 

ModusBox is a financial services technology company focused on open banking solutions that unlock access to banking core data, eliminate vendor dependencies, and enable embedded banking services. PortX, the Integration-Platform-as-a-Service, helps financial institutions empower their teams to connect to real-time payment networks like Zelle®, Mojaloop, ACH, Fedwire, and others. Our solutions enable interoperability between online banking, credit checks, mortgage and loan applications, and other internal systems and member services, allowing for a timely and accurate view of customer data. For more information, please visit modusbox.com.