Financial technology provider Kasasa is partnering with 50 community banks around the U.S. on Finder, a new tool that allows banking customers to search by zip code to find local financial institutions (FIs) that offer Kasasa rewards accounts. 

Finder runs on data input from FIs via Salesforce. Partnering banks including German Valley, Ill.-based, $230 million German American State Bank offer Kasasa’s high-yield checking and savings accounts, Gabe Krajicek, chief executive at Kasasa, told Bank Automation News. 

The tool has been in development since the fourth quarter of 2020, according to Krajicek. 

Glia, Finastra team up to tackle CX improvements 

Financial software company Finastra is offering customers a choice in which communication methods they prefer — including messaging, video banking and voice — in a new partnership with digital customer service provider Glia.  

Finastra’s new app will operate using the FusionFabric.cloud platform and Fusion Digital Banking solution, according to a release. 

“We’re helping Finastra’s clients more easily adopt digital customer service so they can consistently deliver five-star experiences,” Steve Kaish, senior vice president of alliances at Glia, said in a release. 

The goal of the partnership is to shift Finastra’s customer base to a digital-first experience that, reduces contact center call times, according to the release. 

Maries County Bank taps Jack Henry to modernize tech 

Vienna, Mo.-based Maries County Bank is working with core provider Jack Henry to improve its digital customer experience. 

The $571 million bank will have access to core and digital cloud-based solutions including the Banno Digital Platform to help facilitate the delivery of a more efficient and seamless experience, according to a Maries County Bank release. 

“This new technology plan will modernize our existing solutions, like our online banking platform, and allow us to add new products to our suite, such as an enhanced rewards program, improving customer experience and satisfaction,” said Terry Helton, president and chief executive at Maries County Bank. 

Access to 850 third-party fintechs was also a draw for the bank.  

“It will also allow us to pick our fintech vendors of choice, and integrate them seamlessly into our system, making sure we are always offering the most suitable solutions for our community’s needs,” Helton said. 

Financial Plus Credit Union focuses on customer insights 

Des Moines, Iowa-based Financial Plus Credit Union is partnering with revenue improvement company White Clay for data reporting in an effort to scale and create a personalized customer experience.  

The $813 million credit union aims to leverage the insights deepen its customer relationships and recommend relevant banking products, according to a release. 

 “Looking toward our next growth goal, we needed a partner that could maximize the power of the data we’re currently sitting on to deliver actionable insights,” Brad Bergmooser, president and chief executive at Financial Plus, said in a statement. 

Praxent refreshes nonprofit mobile app  

Software engineering fintech Praxent and financial services nonprofit Church Extension Plan (CEP) have partnered on an updated UX-focused mobile app that digitizes financial data for churches and ministries. 

CEP needed to update its technology for handling data such as investment notes, retirement account options, estate-planning services and church loans for its customers, according to a release. 

“An updated web portal and app store presence were critical to properly reflect our company’s trustworthiness, security and dedication to positive customer outcomes in the digital age,” Christopher Lund, IT manager at CEP, said in the release.