Wisconsin CU Transfusing Core with Fiserv DNA Platform
- Roy Urrico
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
By Roy Urrico
As many credit unions look to replace batch-processing legacy cores with real-time, API-first infrastructure, Madison, Wis.-based UW Credit Union ($7 billion assets, 396,000 members) has selected Fiserv’s DNA platform to anchor its modern technology stack. This partnership reflects an industry shift: legacy core systems are no longer treated as back-office utilities but as the critical foundation supporting real-time payments, open banking and scalable AI integration.
“This core banking migration is part of our strategic growth vision of serving one million members. To adapt to accelerated change, we need a stronger, more modern foundation,” Nick Emlet, UW Credit Union’s Vice President of Member Service Operations and Membership Services, told Finopotamus.
“DNA from Fiserv is a core account processing platform designed for a wide range of financial institutions, but especially popular and well-suited for small to medium-sized banks and credit unions,” Kim Ford, SVP, Strategic Accounts and Partnerships, Credit Union Segment, at Fiserv, explained to Finopotamus.
By integrating DNA, UW Credit Union expects to:
Streamline operations – Drive scale through automated workflows and a modern interface.
Elevate money movement – Deliver seamless real-time card, peer-to-peer (P2P), and account-to-account (A2A) payments.
Speed time-to-market – Rapidly deploy new digital banking features as member needs evolve.
“DNA serves as the central system for managing member accounts, loans, transactions and real-time servicing activities. Built on a relationship-based data model, DNA provides a single view of members, accounts and services across the financial institution,” said Ford.
Enhancing the Member and Staff Experience
UW Credit Union will fully transition to the DNA platform in 2028, according to Emlet. The current planned implementation is on premises for the credit union, which serves 35 Wisconsin locations, mostly in Madison and Milwaukee, and including almost a dozen University of Wisconsin campus branches.
“In selecting the DNA platform, we are looking to enhance the member experience and streamline the technology that powers essential transactions like deposits, payments, loans, transfers and account activity,” said Emlet. “Once we officially transition to the new system, we look forward to providing our staff with an intuitive, faster platform that scales to evolving member needs.”
For credit unions, DNA helps simplify operations, improve efficiency and deliver a more connected member experience, according to Ford. “The platform supports real-time processing, workflow automation, reporting and analytics, while its flexible architecture allows institutions to adapt as member needs and business priorities evolve.”
Credit unions use DNA as the foundation for their day-to-day operations, maintained Ford. “The platform supports core account processing, deposit and loan servicing, teller and branch operations, member relationship management, reporting, workflow automation and payments integrations. Credit unions have cited DNA helping them to improve productivity and efficiency.”
In selecting DNA, Ford emphasized the platform's flexibility, API capabilities, workflow automation, reporting tools and modern user experience attracted UW Credit Union. “The credit union also noted the platform's ability to support future growth and evolving member expectations.”
Open and Extensible
“DNA is built on an open architecture and includes extensive API capabilities that allow financial institutions to connect the core platform with Fiserv solutions and approved third-party applications,” said Ford. She explained the platform supports several integration methods, including representational state transfer (REST) APIs; simple object access protocol (SOAP) web services, CoreAPI and DNAconnect.
“These capabilities help credit unions securely exchange data and integrate solutions such as digital banking, payments, fraud and risk management, analytics and workflow tools,” noted Ford. “For many credit unions, the ability to integrate and evolve their technology environment over time is one of DNA's primary advantages.”
DNA supports 84 million accounts across North America, according to Fiserv, and multiple deployment models. “The platform was designed with a modern architecture that supports scalability, flexibility and ongoing innovation,” said Ford. “Organizations can deploy DNA in the environment that best aligns with their operational and business requirements, including on-premises and public cloud options.”
