Case Study for 1st MidAmerica Credit Union Using MortgageExchange

Context & Profile: Headquartered in Bethalto, Illinois, 1st MidAmerica Credit Union is a member-focused financial institution serving over 63,000 members with approximately $964 million in assets. Like many growing credit unions, 1st MidAmerica operated multiple specialized systems for its mortgage operations and core banking. The credit union’s loan officers used Mortgage Cadence’s Loan Fulfillment Center (LFC) for mortgage originations, while the servicing team managed loans in FICS MortgageServicer. These platforms – along with the credit union’s core banking system and member relationship tools – were not automatically connected, leading to data silos. Despite a mission to empower members with enhanced financial solutions, this disconnect in systems posed a challenge to operational efficiency and data accuracy. Employees often found themselves re-keying the same mortgage data into multiple systems, a process that was time-consuming, error-prone, and frustrating for staff. 1st MidAmerica recognized that to continue providing exceptional service, it needed to eliminate these silos and streamline how information flowed across its mortgage and banking software.

Challenge

Eliminating Duplicate Data Entry and Delays: The primary challenge for 1st MidAmerica CU was connecting its FICS mortgage servicing system with the Mortgage Cadence LFC origination platform. Prior to integration, the credit union’s team had to perform duplicate manual data entry – for example, after a loan was originated in Mortgage Cadence, the details would be manually re-entered into the FICS servicing system (and potentially again into the core banking platform). This “swivel-chair” approach not only doubled the work, but it also introduced delays and inconsistencies. Different systems might contain slightly different information if an entry was missed or entered incorrectly. Timing discrepancies became a risk – data updates in one system wouldn’t immediately reflect in another, leading to out-of-sync records. These issues raised operational and even compliance concerns: errors in loan data could affect regulatory reporting and member communications. For a credit union committed to accuracy and member trust, the situation was far from ideal. Staff productivity was also impacted, as skilled employees were tied up with clerical tasks of copying data between systems instead of focusing on member service or loan quality control. 1st MidAmerica needed a way to bridge the gap between its systems to eliminate manual re-entry, reduce errors, and accelerate its lending process.

Solution

MortgageExchange
Integrates FICS & Mortgage Cadence: To solve this integration problem, 1st MidAmerica implemented MortgageExchange – a cloud-managed integration platform from Mortgage Workspace (Access Business Technologies) – to link the FICS MortgageServicer and Mortgage Cadence systems in real time. MortgageExchange is specifically designed to connect disparate banking and mortgage software, enabling bi-directional data flow between platforms. With the help of the MortgageExchange team, 1st MidAmerica set up a direct, rules-based data exchange between FICS and Mortgage Cadence. Now, when loan information is entered or updated in one system, it automatically transfers to the other system without any manual intervention. This automation eliminated the need for any duplicate data entry – no more copying loan details from one application to another. The integration was configured with business rules to ensure data consistency and to synchronize updates on a regular, timely schedule.

Crucially, the MortgageExchange solution operates as a secure, cloud-based service managed by the provider, meaning the credit union did not need to maintain new servers or worry about software updates. All data in transit between Mortgage Cadence (LOS) and FICS (servicing) is encrypted and handled in compliance with industry security standards. The platform’s cloud architecture also ensures scalability – as 1st MidAmerica’s mortgage lending grows, the data exchange can handle increased volume without performance issues. By deploying MortgageExchange, the credit union essentially created a unified mortgage ecosystem: the LOS and servicing platform began functioning like one connected system. This seamless integration removed the traditional silos between origination and servicing, and even set the stage for potential future connectivity with 1st MidAmerica’s core banking and CRM systems. In short, MortgageExchange transformed the workflow – loan officers and servicing staff could trust that they were always looking at the same up-to-date information, regardless of which system they were in. The days of tedious re-keying and cross-checking data were over.

Outcome

Streamlined Operations and Member-Focused Efficiency: After deploying MortgageExchange, 1st MidAmerica Credit Union achieved a streamlined bi-directional data flow between its mortgage origination and servicing platforms. The integration immediately eliminated dual data entry and timing discrepancies, which has resulted in significant time and cost savings for the organization. Staff who previously spent hours each week on manual input now redirect that time toward higher-value activities like expediting loan approvals and engaging with members. The risk of human error in transferring data has virtually disappeared – loan records in Mortgage Cadence and FICS are consistently in sync, improving the accuracy of member and loan information across the board. This boost in data integrity also gives 1st MidAmerica greater confidence in compliance reporting and audit readiness, since information is uniform and updated in real time.

According to the case study, the transformation enabled by MortgageExchange has led the credit union to operate with newfound agility and focus. Employees are free from the burdens of duplicate entry, and the mortgage department can process loans faster and more efficiently than before. These improvements translate into a better experience for members: mortgage applicants get quicker responses and closings, and servicing is more responsive since staff aren’t bogged down correcting back-office errors. The cost savings from operational efficiencies contribute directly to the credit union’s bottom line – resources once spent on redundant tasks are now invested in member service and growth initiatives, providing a clear ROI on the integration project. In sum, 1st MidAmerica’s leadership considers the MortgageExchange integration a success that drives both productivity and service quality.

Conclusion: 1st MidAmerica Credit Union’s case exemplifies how connecting siloed systems can propel an institution forward. What began as a challenge of disconnected LOS and servicing software became an opportunity to modernize and streamline the entire lending process. With MortgageExchange, system silos turned into seamless workflows, allowing the credit union to deliver faster, more accurate service to its members – and to do so with confidence in the data driving every transaction. MortgageExchange has effectively given 1st MidAmerica the integrated, efficient backbone it needs to continue delivering exceptional member experiences, proving that the right technology investment can yield both immediate operational gains and long-term strategic benefits. MortgageExchange transforms integration challenges into tangible improvements, helping credit unions like 1st MidAmerica unite their systems and focus on what matters most: serving their members.