Co-authored by Jennifer Hoskins, Principal Doeren Mayhew Assurance; Principal, Doeren Mayhew Advisors, LLC, Financial Institutions Group and Maria Beelen, Manager, Accounting Solutions, Financial Institutions Group 

Selecting a new core system is one of the most significant decisions a credit union can make. The core platform serves as the technological foundation for all operations, from member account management to loan processing, digital banking, and regulatory compliance. With so much at stake, asking the right questions during vendor evaluations is critical. 

If your credit union is shopping for a new core system, consider these five questions to ask the provider to ensure it is best fit to meet the needs of your institution.  

1. How does your core system support integration with third-party fintech solutions and application programming interfaces (APIs)? 

Modern credit unions depend on a wide range of fintech partnerships to meet evolving member expectations. From mobile banking apps and AI-driven lending platforms to analytics tools and payment systems, your core system must be open and flexible. 

Why it matters: Seamless integration with third-party providers ensures your institution can offer competitive digital services without overhauling internal systems. Ask vendors about their API architecture, real-time data access and past integration success stories. 

2. What is your implementation timeline and what resources will be required from our credit union? 

A new core conversion is no small task. It requires careful coordination, dedicated staffing and strong project management on both sides. A vendor’s implementation approach will impact everything, from internal operations to member experience during the transition. 

Why it matters: Clear expectations around timeline, required credit union resources and vendor-provided support help you plan effectively and avoid costly delays. Be sure to ask about training, testing and go-live strategies. 

3. How do you handle data migration and what guarantees do you provide for data integrity? 

Migrating member data from an old core system to a new one can introduce risks, especially if data is incomplete, lost or corrupted during the process. It's crucial to understand how the vendor plans and executes this step. 

Why it matters: Protecting member data is non-negotiable. Ask for details on validation processes, fallback options and post-migration audits to ensure data integrity and system continuity. 

4. What cybersecurity measures are built into your system to protect member data? 

With cyber threats on the rise, your core system must be secure by design. Credit unions are entrusted with sensitive financial data, making them attractive targets for cybercriminals. 

Why it matters: Ask vendors about encryption, multi-factor authentication, role-based access controls and incident response protocols. Also, inquire about how the system helps meet compliance standards, such as Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and requirements from the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) and Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC). 

5. Can you provide case studies or references from similar-sized credit unions who use your system? 

There’s no substitute for real-world experience. Hearing directly from peers who have gone through the process can provide invaluable insight into the vendor's support, flexibility and long-term performance. 

Why it matters: Reference calls and case studies offer a reality check on vendor promises. They can help you gauge how the system performs in day-to-day operations and how responsive the vendor is to evolving needs. 

Starting the Exploration Process 

Choosing a new core system is not just a technology decision – it's a strategic investment in your credit union’s future. By asking these questions, you’ll be better equipped to assess vendors not just for features, but for partnership potential, operational impact and long-term success. 

If you're in the process of evaluating vendors, consider building a structured request for proposal based on these questions to guide consistent and effective decision-making. You don’t have to tackle this process alone. Partner with Doeren Mayhew’s dedicated credit union pros for assistance in selecting the best fit provider.