Overcoming Data Silos: How Chevron FCU Built a Core-Connected Ecosystem

The Hidden Cost of Fragmented Data: In today’s data-driven financial world, fragmented systems come with a high price tag. When member information is scattered across a core banking platform, loan origination system, and servicing software, credit unions pay in efficiency, accuracy, and member satisfaction. In fact, a McKinsey report found that financial institutions could cut operating costs by up to 20% simply by integrating their data and automating workflows. Siloed data isn’t just an IT headache—it directly impacts the bottom line and the member experience. This realization set the stage for Chevron Federal Credit Union’s recent transformation.

A Large Credit Union with Complex Systems

Chevron Federal Credit Union (Chevron FCU) is no small player. Headquartered in California (with a presence coast-to-coast), it serves roughly 130,000 members and manages about $4.8 billion in assets. It’s ranked among the top credit unions in the state, and its member base spans Chevron employees, contractors, and a broad community. Operating at this scale, Chevron FCU had developed a complex IT ecosystem – a Jack Henry Symitar® core banking system, a modern Blue Sage digital loan origination system (LOS), and specialized platforms for mortgage servicing and other functions. Over years of growth and added services, these systems functioned largely in isolation, creating data silos that made truly unified member insights hard to achieve. The credit union’s multi-platform environment (including even multiple brand names under its umbrella) exemplified the integration challenge many large CUs face.

The Integration Challenge: Disconnected Core, LOS, and Servicing

The crux of Chevron FCU’s challenge was that its core and mortgage systems weren’t talking to each other. Symitar (the core) wasn’t natively integrated with the Blue Sage LOS, nor with the mortgage servicing platform (Finastra’s Fusion Servicing Director), or other ancillary systems. This meant duplicate data entry and manual reconciliation became part of daily operations. For example, when a member’s mortgage application was approved in Blue Sage, employees had to manually re-enter loan and member data into Symitar to set up the new account, and again into the servicing system to onboard the loan. Not only did this redundant process consume staff time, it inevitably led to delays and input errors. Important information could be out of sync: a change to a member’s address in the core might not reflect in the LOS, or a loan modification updated in servicing might not get back to the core without someone keying it in. The lack of real-time visibility across systems meant decision-makers and front-line staff never had a single source of truth.

Chevron FCU knew this fragmentation was hindering efficiency. It was essentially operating with one arm tied behind its back, especially post-closing: after loans closed, boarding them to the servicing platform was a slow, manual affair that risked mismatched records or missed details. The credit union also identified similar integration gaps beyond just the LOS. For instance, connecting Symitar with other external modules (like certain Finastra or Fiserv solutions) was needed to eliminate siloed pockets of data. Clearly, a more unified approach was needed – one that could bridge these disparate systems and create a cohesive data ecosystem.

A Unified Solution with the MortgageExchange Platform

To eliminate these silos, Chevron FCU turned to a cloud-based integration platform called MortgageExchange. Developed by Mortgage Workspace (a division of Access Business Technologies), the MortgageExchange integration platform is designed to connect LOS, core banking, servicing, and other systems seamlessly. In essence, it serves as the data “pipeline” that Chevron’s infrastructure was missing. Chevron FCU implemented the MortgageExchange solution to bridge Symitar with Blue Sage, creating a robust two-way data exchange between the core and the LOS. This rules-driven approach means that once a loan application is approved or funded in Blue Sage, the relevant data (loan terms, member details, etc.) automatically flows into Symitar without any human rekeying. Conversely, member information from the core (say an updated phone number or account status) can propagate to the LOS as needed, keeping both systems in sync. The integration is configured with business rules to ensure data goes to the right fields and triggers at the right times, replacing what used to be “swivel-chair” copy-paste work with seamless automation.

Core-to-Servicing Integration at Chevron FCU

Crucially, Chevron FCU didn’t stop at the core-to-LOS connection. They extended the MortgageExchange solution to the servicing layer and beyond. In a parallel project, the credit union linked Finastra’s Servicing Director platform with Blue Sage via MortgageExchange, so that new mortgages are boarded into the servicing system instantly upon closing, with no manual intervention. They also leveraged the tool to connect other systems such as a Fiserv wire transfer module, ensuring every critical banking platform was part of one unified data network. The fact that MortgageExchange can handle multiple integrations is key – each connection addresses a specific data exchange need, from core accounting entries to servicing onboarding, all through one centralized service.

Real-Time Data, Fewer Errors, Smoother Operations

After deploying these integrations, the difference at Chevron FCU has been night and day. Data now moves fluidly between the core, lending, and servicing systems in real time, eliminating the lag that previously plagued their process. The credit union no longer needs duplicate input across those platforms – the integration handles it automatically. This has led to dramatically fewer errors and inconsistencies, since there’s no opportunity for typos or out-of-date information when everything updates through a single source of truth. In short, the MortgageExchange platform provides “effortless” data transfers with no need for staff to manually input or cross-check information. One immediate benefit was in post-closing operations: the moment a loan closes, all relevant details are already in the servicing system and core without delays or transcription mistakes. The servicing team can begin engaging the member right away with confidence that the data is accurate – no more chasing down missing fields or correcting errors days after closing.

The efficiency gains have been substantial. Chevron FCU reports significantly faster data updates and reduced operational workload, which in turn has cut down processing times and operating costs. Staff members who once spent hours on tedious reconciliation can now refocus on higher-value work. Instead of scrambling to input data or fix mistakes, employees can dedicate more time to serving members and improving the customer experience. This shift is more than anecdotal – it reflects a tangible rise in productivity and service quality. By maintaining high data accuracy automatically, the credit union also strengthens compliance and audit readiness, ensuring that everyone—from loan officers to call center reps—has up-to-date information when interacting with members.

Built for Scale and Security

Equally important, the technology framework supporting these integrations is built for the future. MortgageExchange runs on a scalable, secure cloud architecture, which meant Chevron FCU didn’t have to stand up new on-premise servers or worry about maintenance. The integration services are hosted in Microsoft Azure data centers and managed by the provider, with bank-grade security (including encryption of data in transit and at rest) baked in. This cloud-first approach not only ensures robust security and compliance, but also that the solution can easily scale as transaction volumes grow or new integration needs arise. In other words, the credit union’s connectivity backbone is as nimble as its business strategy – able to adapt and expand without major infrastructure overhauls.

Toward a Core-Connected Future

Chevron FCU’s success in breaking down its data silos offers a compelling lesson for credit unions everywhere. In an era when members demand instant, personalized service, having a core-connected ecosystem is becoming non-negotiable. When backend systems are integrated and agile, the impact on front-end service is profound. Processes that once took days or introduced frustrations can be streamlined to happen in minutes or seconds. Consider what industry examples have shown: with a flexible, interconnected architecture, loan funding times shrink, staff bandwidth expands, and members enjoy faster service with fewer roadblocks. Chevron FCU now exemplifies this reality. By investing in integration, it has not only improved internal efficiency but also fortified long-term member relationships through more responsive service.

The forward-looking takeaway is clear: connecting your systems is key to connecting with your members. For modern credit unions, core-to-cloud integration isn’t just an IT project – it’s a strategic imperative to remain competitive and member-centric. Data silos and manual workarounds simply can’t support the personalized, real-time experiences that members expect. Chevron FCU’s journey from fragmented data to a unified, real-time data ecosystem underscores how important it is to tear down those silos. Learn more about the MortgageExchange platform that synchronizes core, lending, and servicing — empowering teams to deliver faster, more accurate member service.