Desert Financial Credit Union Transformed Card Issuance with Entrust
When Desert Financial Credit Union was looking to transform its card issuance and customization program, they turned to Entrust for its instant issuance of branded financial cards and cloud-based management.
Customer Profile
Desert Financial Credit Union is a leading financial institution in Arizona, dedicated to providing innovative banking solutions to its members. Known for its commitment to community engagement, Desert Financial has built strong brand partnerships, including collaborations with Arizona State University (ASU) and the Arizona Cardinals. To enhance customer experience and differentiate its offerings, Desert Financial sought a way to modernize its payment card issuance process.
Business Challenge
As Desert Financial expanded its partnerships and brand presence, it faced the challenge of efficiently issuing customized debit cards that would resonate with its members. Traditional card issuance methods led to delays in customer onboarding and lacked the flexibility needed for personalized card designs. Additionally, the credit union sought to modernize its card issuance infrastructure by transitioning to a cloud-based system, ensuring greater operational efficiency and scalability.
One of the key concerns was how this shift would impact physical card issuance at branch locations. Desert Financial needed a solution that would integrate cloud-based management with seamless in-branch printing, allowing members to receive their personalized cards instantly without disruption to service.
Solution
To address these challenges, Desert Financial implemented Entrust's Instant Financial Issuance solution, which provided a cloud-connected system that enabled branches to instantly print and issue debit cards on-site. By leveraging cloud-based card issuance, Desert Financial could centrally manage card designs, security updates, and system configurations while ensuring that each branch had the flexibility to provide immediate service to members.
Key aspects of the implementation included:
- Cloud-Connected Card Issuance: The transition allowed for centralized control and updates while maintaining the ability to print physical cards at branches.
- Customization & Engagement: Members and employees participated in selecting card designs, creating excitement around the launch of new affinity cards.
- Operational Efficiency: The Entrust solution integrated seamlessly with Desert Financial’s existing systems, ensuring a quick and reliable card issuance process.
When we transitioned to the cloud, it was surprisingly fast and seamless. Even when there were minor hiccups, we didn't notice any disruptions. Entrust's team handled everything efficiently, ensuring our payment card group continued to operate smoothly without any impact on us.
Miles Kastner
Market Manager, Desert Financial Credit Union
Results
The adoption of Entrust’s Instant Financial Issuance solution delivered significant benefits for Desert Financial:
- Enhanced Customer Experience: Members could receive branded debit cards instantly, reinforcing Desert Financial’s commitment to convenience and personalization.
- Stronger Brand Partnerships: The ASU and Arizona Cardinals affinity cards became key elements of Desert Financial’s brand strategy, driving increased engagement.
- Seamless Cloud Transition: The shift to a cloud-based card issuance system enabled greater security, centralized management, and more efficient branch-level operations.
- Increased Internal & External Excitement: By involving employees and members in the card design process, Desert Financial fostered greater enthusiasm and anticipation for new affinity card launches.
David Stafford, Market Manager at Desert Financial, emphasized the excitement surrounding the affinity cards: "We even got the reveal of the ASU cards at our all-employee event, and that was the most exciting moment we had. We’re looking to launch another affinity relationship in the fall, and the most anticipated part of the partnership is the debit card design."
Desert Financial Credit Union’s collaboration with Entrust has set a benchmark for modernized, customer-centric banking experiences. By integrating cloud-based management with instant physical card issuance, the credit union has strengthened its market position while reinforcing member loyalty. Looking ahead, Desert Financial continues to explore new affinity relationships, ensuring that innovative financial solutions remain a core part of its strategy.
Webinar: Instant Issuance Success Story with Desert Financial Credit Union
Watch our webinar with leaders at Desert Financial Credit Union for a behind-the-scenes telling of their instant issuance transformation.
Fill out the form to have one of our experts contact you to discuss how our solutions can serve you.