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SUMMARY.
Credit unions demand bulletproof compliance, but outdated processes were draining budgets and delaying critical hires.
When you're operating a merged credit union with 1,500+ employees across 66 New York locations, there's no margin for error in background screening. Our client had been serving a larger community since its 2022 merger, but its screening processes were creating financial hemorrhaging that threatened its growth trajectory. With over 500 new hires annually in a heavily regulated industry, they needed a partner who understood that one compliance misstep could trigger regulatory scrutiny - or worse, jeopardize their ability to protect member assets and maintain community trust.
The stakes were astronomical. This institution generates $8.9 million in annual revenue while serving thousands of members who depend on its financial expertise and regulatory compliance. Yet their background check process was creating cost overruns that ate into member services and operational bottlenecks that delayed critical hires in an increasingly competitive talent market.
Slow, Costly, and Complicated.
The perfect storm of compliance complexity, spiraling costs, and administrative chaos was threatening our client's mission.
Fee Frenzy!
New York State criminal fees were spiraling out of control, creating budget nightmares. The NYS Office of Court Administration charges $95 per name. With over 500 new hires annually, they were staring down nearly $50,000 in state fees alone - money that could fund member programs or technology upgrades instead of disappearing into tax collection.
Credit Conundrum!
Obtaining and tracking credit reports became a nightmare. With a workforce that large, maintaining proper documentation was putting a strain on HR. Federal compliance requirements demanded meticulous record-keeping for years, but their manual system was a ticking time bomb of potential regulatory violations.
Slow and Steady Loses!
Long turnaround times and incomplete reports were putting the brakes on hiring speed. In a competitive financial services market where top talent gets snapped up quickly, delayed background checks meant losing qualified candidates to faster-moving competitors.
Cure for a Hiring Headache.
CI’s Advanced Screening Solutions for Financial Compliance
When other providers saw complexity, we saw opportunity. Our team designed a comprehensive solution
that addressed every pain point while delivering unprecedented efficiency.
Farewell to NY Fees
CI’s proprietary NY criminal search, NY Checked™, slashes New York state criminal costs by around $60 per person. Instead of hemorrhaging nearly $50,000 annually to government agencies, that budget stays in-house where it belongs - funding member services, technology improvements, or competitive salary packages that grow your business.
Domestic Storage
Our system tracks, reports, and stores credit checks electronically for at least 7 years, right in the US. No more scrambling during audits or praying your filing system holds up under regulatory scrutiny - everything's organized, accessible, and compliant from day one.
Volume Sponge
Workflows automatically assign open inquiries to specialized teams, with customized directions to guide. Whether you're processing 10 checks or 100 in a single week during peak hiring seasons, our system scales seamlessly without creating operational chaos or overwhelming your HR team.
Licensed Expertise
Being a licensed PI unlocked doors to deeper data, painting a more complete picture of applicants. We're not just running basic checks - we're conducting thorough investigations that uncover the details other providers miss, giving you confidence in every hiring decision.
ROI Realized.
Measurable Results That Transform Financial Hiring Operations
The numbers don't lie - and neither do the testimonials from HR directors who finally got their budgets and timelines back on track.
Massive Savings
By utilizing NY Checked™, we saved our client $92,625 that would've gone to NYS government agencies. That's real money back in their budget for member services, competitive rates, or facility improvements that drive business growth instead of feeding bureaucratic overhead.
Credit Compliance
We completed 1,130 credit reports in 2023, and they will be compliantly stored until at least 2030. No more sleepless nights worrying about regulatory audits or scrambling to locate documentation - every report is organized, accessible, and audit-ready from the moment it's generated.
Lightning-Fast Results
Average turnaround time plummeted to just 1.51 days, enabling swift and efficient hiring decisions. In a competitive talent market where top candidates get multiple offers, speed kills, and slow background checks no longer cost them their first-choice hires.
Comprehensive Coverage
CI's process allowed for more thorough applicant results without needing to break into the vault. Our licensed PI expertise uncovers critical details that basic screening services miss, giving HR teams confidence that they're making informed hiring decisions with complete information.
The Financial Services Revolution.
Beyond the $92,625 in direct savings, the real transformation happened in operational confidence, where budget anxiety became a strategic advantage and hiring delays became competitive speed.
The ripple effects extend throughout the entire credit union ecosystem, creating a virtuous cycle of growth and efficiency. Faster clearances mean positions get filled when needed, which means member service levels stay consistent, which means retention rates improve, and growth targets get hit.
For a financial institution navigating post-merger integration challenges, operational predictability matters more than ever. The credit union's reputation for maintaining robust hiring standards while controlling costs has enhanced its competitive position and improved its ability to attract top talent in banking and finance. Perhaps most importantly, the transformation freed up administrative resources for member-focused activities.
Instead of wrestling with compliance nightmares and budget overruns, HR teams now have bandwidth for strategic workforce planning, employee development initiatives, and member service enhancement. The mental capital that was previously consumed by background check logistics is now available for innovation, relationship building, and community impact - activities that directly support their mission of serving members and driving local economic growth.
