Customer Success Story
Empower Federal Credit Union Improved Application-To-Approval Times by 64% YoY
HOW TECH-DRIVEN EFFICIENCY AND A COMMUNITY-FIRST MINDSET TRANSFORMED THEIR LENDING EXPERIENCE
Headquarters: Syracus, NY
Branch locations: 24
Members: 293,393
Managed assets: $4.1B
The Challenge
Overcoming Legacy Technology And Manual Process Barriers
Empower Federal Credit Union was constrained by legacy technology and manual processes that limited speed, accuracy, and overall member experience. To modernize its loan origination and meet growing demand, Empower FCU set out to transform its lending operations. Empower FCU was committed to advancing financial wellness, strengthening fraud protection, and building a lending infrastructure that could scale with member needs—reinforcing its role as a trusted community institution.
The Solution
MeridianLink One
Empower Federal Credit Union implemented the MeridianLink® One platform and leveraged its Marketplace of integrated third-party solutions to modernize the lending process. By combining cutting-edge technology, expert-led process optimization, and powerful data analytics, the credit union positioned itself to transform a slow, manual workflow into a faster, smarter, and more seamless experience for both staff and members.
Why Empower Federal Credit Union Selected MeridianLink One
64% year-over-year improvement in application-to-approval times, accelerating service for members.
Instant decisioning nearly doubled, rising from 23.81% to 45.85% YoY, streamlining the loan experience.
Instant approvals surged from 36.29% to over 65%, giving members quicker answers and a smoother borrowing journey.
The Results
Faster Approvals, Smarter Decisioning, and Stronger Community Impact
Empower Federal Credit Union’s transformation went far beyond simply adopting a consumer loan origination or digital account opening system. Tools like the Process Assessment identified and removed operational friction, while Admin Pro Plus automated tasks to reduce manual workload and increase accuracy. MeridianLink® Data Connect unlocked new insights for smarter decision-making, and digital engagement packages enhanced member communication through real-time updates.
Integrations with Zest AI, Socure™, and Plaid enhanced credit assessment and verification, enabling faster, more reliable loan approvals that improved the member experience. Dealertrack eContracting streamlined the auto loan process, delivering a seamless, efficient journey for both dealers and members. Verafin bolstered fraud protection, while SavvyMoney empowered members with actionable financial insights to support informed decision-making. Staff also completed two Admin Certification programs to ensure long-term success with the platform.
These combined efforts led to significantly faster loan processing, increased instant decisioning, and a smoother member journey—cementing Empower FCU’s reputation as a leader in modern, accessible lending.
