Outsmarting Complex Contracts—and Winning Big

When Communities of Abilene Federal Credit Union (CoAFCU) began evaluating its core processing contract, the goal was clear: secure better terms, avoid a disruptive conversion, and free up resources to invest in member services. What followed was a strategic, results-driven partnership with ADVANTAGE that led to more savings than expected and a roadmap for long-term success.

See how CoAFCU transformed its core contract, securing $1.65 million in savings → Read the case study.

Facing Complex Contracts with Limited Resources

As a smaller credit union serving Abilene and 10 surrounding counties in West Texas, CoAFCU faced the common challenge of navigating complex vendor agreements with limited internal bandwidth. With a contract renewal on the horizon—and increasing complexity in vendor terms—CEO Clinton Wilson turned to ADVANTAGE for guidance.

Having previously worked with ADVANTAGE on a successful vendor contract, Wilson knew the value of experienced guidance when the stakes are high.

Strategic Support Without Disruption

The ADVANTAGE team conducted a thorough review of CoAFCU’s existing contract, identified hidden costs, and developed a focused strategy to improve terms while avoiding unnecessary disruption. The result? Immediate savings, greater transparency, and the flexibility to enhance digital capabilities, without undergoing a full core conversion.

“Working with ADVANTAGE was a no-brainer. The experience negotiating with these vendors saved us a tremendous amount of time and money.” – Clinton Wilson, CEO, CoAFCU

Real Savings, Real Results

The project outcomes far exceeded expectations. Plus, the credit union was able to launch key upgrades, including:

• $1.65 million in contract savings—more than double the CEO’s initial estimate
• New digital solutions, including a predictive lending tool and enhanced online banking
• AI-powered staff support to streamline service and enable personalized member interactions

Today, CoAFCU is better positioned to meet modern expectations. Strategic contract negotiations allowed them to implement member-first enhancements and modernize operations—without the pain of switching cores.

Explore Ways to Save and Much More

If your institution has any contracts up for renewal in the next few years—or hasn’t reviewed contracts in several years—it may be time to ask: Are we getting the value we need to grow?

Contact us today to learn more about how you could improve your vendor contracts and find significant savings!

About ADVANTAGE

For over 40 years, ADVANTAGE has been a trusted partner for credit unions and community banks, providing expert consultation to help financial institutions navigate an evolving industry. We deliver strategic solutions that strengthen non-interest income, optimize operations, and drive long-term growth.

Our services include vendor contract negotiations, technology strategy and selection, account acquisition and deposit growth, and overdraft privilege consulting—helping community financial institutions enhance efficiency, maximize revenue, and stay competitive.

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