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Fiserv to sponsor Filene Center of Excellence

Funding supports research focused on performance and operational excellence

BROOKFIELD, WI (September 14, 2016) — The Filene Research Institute announced today Fiserv is the lead sponsor of Filene’s Center of Excellence for Performance and Operational Excellence with additional support from Alliant Credit Union and Christian Financial Credit Union. The research center, headed by Filene Fellow Hayagreeva “Huggy” Rao, Atholl McBean Professor of Organizational Behavior and Human Resources at Stanford University, explores progressive management practices and operational behavior. It is one of five Centers of Excellence being launched throughout 2017.

“Fiserv decided to support this effort because performance and operational excellence are key factors in the future success of all credit unions,” said Barbra Lowman, SVP Account Processing Solutions of Fiserv. “The research and engagement opportunities that come out of this research center will help build the credit union movement of tomorrow.”

The Center of Excellence for Performance and Operational Excellence will work on scaling the credit union model so that more consumers can benefit from the cooperative finance model.  Some planned research activities include:

  1. Ambidexterity: Running current operations while innovating for advantage.
  2. Service Delivery Excellence: Identifying and addressing challenges of creating customer-focused cultures.
  3. Knowledge Sharing: Outlining mechanisms to foster the flow of ideas among credit unions to ensure that mistakes are not repeated, and innovations are shared.

The research center’s first report is expected to be completed later this year. Credit union leaders are invited to attend a research colloquium hosted by Professor Rao in Palo Alto, where he and other distinguished guests will discuss the research findings. Registration information can be found at filene.org

All three sponsoring organizations are long-term supporters of the Filene Research Institute.

“I am particularly excited about the launch of this research center as it focuses on the sustainability of credit unions,” said Mark Meyer, CEO of Filene. “Our generous sponsors understand the need for our industry to improve efficiency while meeting changing consumer demands and we are thankful for their leadership and support.”

Led by academic thinkers from across North America, Filene’s Centers of Excellence produce unique research and engagement opportunities for Filene members and the credit union system. Designed to address the changing needs of credit unions and their members, the research centers explore critical and emerging topics regarding the future of consumer financial trends to encourage credit unions to think differently and do amazing things to change people’s lives.

For more information about Filene’s Research Centers, please visit: http://www.filene.org.


About Fiserv

Fiserv, Inc. (NYSE: FI), a Fortune 500 company, aspires to move money and information in a way that moves the world. As a global leader in payments and financial technology, the company helps clients achieve best-in-class results through a commitment to innovation and excellence in areas including account processing and digital banking solutions; card issuer processing and network services; payments; e-commerce; merchant acquiring and processing; and the Clover® cloud-based point-of-sale and business management platform. Fiserv is a member of the S&P 500® Index and has been recognized as one of Fortune® World’s Most Admired Companies™ for 9 of the last 10 years. Visit fiserv.com and follow on social media for more information and the latest company news.

About Alliant

Alliant is a not-for-profit financial cooperative with over 300,000 members and over $9 billion in assets. Headquartered in Chicago and founded in 1935, Alliant is the largest credit union in Illinois and one of the largest credit unions in the United States. As a member-owned financial cooperative, Alliant’s mission is to foster its members’ financial well-being and serve their best interests.

About Christian Financial

Christian Financial Credit Union is a $360 million credit union serving over 40,000 members in Metropolitan Detroit.  Chartered in 1950 the credit union’s mission is to provide members customized solutions to enhance their financial well-being through a trusted partnership with a dedicated team of professionals focused on exceeding their expectations.

About Filene

The Filene Research Institute is a US-based independent, consumer finance think and do tank dedicated to scientific and thoughtful analysis about issues affecting the future of credit unions, retail banking and cooperative finance. Founded more than 25 years ago, Filene is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Nearly 2,000 members make the nonprofit’s research, innovation and impact programs possible. For more information, visit filene.org and @fileneresearch

Contacts

Fiserv Media Relations:
Mark Jelfs
Senior Manager, Communications
+1 262-737-8244
mark.jelfs@fiserv.com

NCR Atleos Media Relations:
Scott Sykes
Executive Director, Public Relations
scott.sykes@ncratleos.com

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