According to the CUSO, two major changes will be put in place to add an additional layer of security for member access to It’s Me 247.  These updates are in response to the recent audit CU*Answers underwent by the State of Michigan, which included a review of online banking access risk.  During this examination, it was clear that auditors are going to get stringent with online banking access security.

For credit unions that were not requiring that security questions be asked at login, It’s Me 247 will automatically require them with the 9.6 release.  The option to ask them has been removed from PIB (Personal Internet Branch) layered security and now is a standard automatic part of It’s Me 247 online banking.

Additionally, the minimum online banking password length has been expanded to six characters.  A new “Password Strength Meter” tool has been added to assist members when changing passwords to educate them as to the security level associated with the password they have entered.  Color coding and messaging help the member determine if the password is “too short” or “weak” (red), “good” (yellow), or “strong” (green).

This release also includes changes to protect sensitive member data on e-Notices, providing additional security for these electronic communications.  Members will see the message “Your Personal information is not displayed for enhanced privacy and security” where they would usually see their name and address, and X’s will mask the member’s account base but not the account suffix.

For more information on the upcoming software enhancement, or to view Release Summaries for all upgrades since 1998, go to http://www.cuanswers.com/client_release_summaries.php.

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CU*Answers makes a quantum leap to next level of online banking with its recent release of It’s Me 247 online banking system. This unique name correlates directly to the premise that online banking is a critical component for how today’s member expects to see themselves reflected in their credit union and their desired manner for transacting business. Several personalization options of It’s Me 247 allow members to access their accounts, their way when they visit the credit union online.

Along with the traditional online banking options, It’s Me 247 includes built-in personalization features that allow members to customize their individual online banking experience. For instance, members may choose themes, page styles, and color schemes. They can select the pictures that will appear from a collection of albums and even receive e-alerts for events such as account balances above or below a specified amount, ACH deposits and/or withdrawals, a loan payment coming due within a specified # of days or that a notice has been mailed.

It’s Me 247 features a battery of security features that are controlled according to each member’s preference via their Personal Internet Branch (PIB) profile. PIB is a layered security option that works in tandem with security features embedded within It’s Me 247. PIB allows members to assume only the risks they are comfortable with and provides additional security layers for selected transactions. Members can setup their PIB profile for where and when transactions may be performed on their account. They may select what day of the week and time of day their “branch” is open and from what geographic location transactions are allowed.

Randy Karnes, CEO of CU*Answers says “From the moment we started envisioning the next generation of online services at CU*Answers we started to push more than just the nuts and bolts related to providing credit unions an online transaction banking site. We wanted to extend a sense of respect for the individual, a commitment to know the member, and to really embrace the best of what the self-service culture expected by member/consumers could offer. For us it is simple — work hard to create an environment where the member sees their reflection when interacting with their credit union. An institution built in their image, and an experience crafted to and by their requirements, even to the point where they become the internet branch manager.”

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CU*Answers is pleased to announce its new PIB (Personal Internet Branch) system, which has been architected to provide a new level of security for allowing credit union members to better manage and control their personal Online Banking account activity.

As a direct response to credit unions complying with the latest regulatory expectation for performing Internet Banking Risk Assessment, and determining that additional authentication features may need to be implemented, PIB delivers a layered security approach to add additional authentication controls for members using CU*Answers comprehensive CU*@HOME Online Banking product. PIB is an independent application that provides multiple, configurable controls that govern how CU*@HOME behaves and what members can do in Online Banking.

PIB allows members to control access to their accounts with controls by feature, day of week, time of day, and even geographic location. Additionally, it layers additional passwords and member authentication internal to CU*@HOME. Credit unions can configure default PIB settings for its members, and determine how much control they wish to their members to have access to in managing their personal settings.

CU*Answers designed PIB to go far beyond just complying with recent regulatory expectations. It is a powerful feature that is designed to provide real value to credit union members in better managing their personal accounts and related activity. In essence, it is the member’s way of telling CU*@HOME: This is who I am and how I like to do business. If someone tries to access my accounts and they behave outside of those pre-defined rules, it should raise a red flag to CU*@HOME that says it’s probably not me!

Additionally, CU*Answers announced that PIB is being provided free to every credit union utilizing their Online Banking product.

As Dave Wordhouse, CU*Answers VP of Network Technologies states in the world we live in today there are unscrupulous groups that will go to any lengths to gain access to your assets. This is why security measures must always be on the forefront of the way CU*Answers allows their credit unions’ members to process transactions across the internet Some PIB profile options for which credit unions may provide its members include:

• Transaction type restrictions
• Day and time restrictions for performing transactions
• Login and knowledge-based challenge questions
• Geographical login filters and controls
• Login confirmation code requirements
• Expanded and strong password requirements

PIB allows members the opportunity to make their online banking experience customized to their specific needs and security concerns. Every member has a different level of comfort when it comes to online security. We have configured PIB to be flexible enough where we can cover the security concerns of the membership as a whole. said Kent County Credit Union CEO Ray Ward.

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