First Security Bank

First Security is a privately-held bank headquartered in Searcy, Arkansas. Chartered in 1932, the bank has grown from a single entity located on the corner of Arch and Spring Streets, to 900 employees and 70 branch offices throughout the state, and over $3.6 billion in assets. From its local community banking network and esteemed investment services to real estate development and mortgage products, First Security is a modern banking success.

“Communication is essential in any relationship. The tools we use to communicate with customers are crucial to our success, as fewer persons are actually coming inside the bank to transact with us.”

— Brody Walker, Vice President and IT Manager at First Security Bank

Each of the 70 bank branches had been responsible for its own telephony solutions. Branch managers were selecting vendors, voice services, and installation partners. It was very costly to the bank as a whole, and highly inefficient with such disparate systems throughout the enterprise, especially as the bank grew. 

“We were running on old, expensive, and outdated phone technology. To build a cohesive, efficient system across the entire bank enterprise, it was essential that we start with a central management interface for all systems. A new VoIP solution had to be easy for our employees to use and for my staff to manage.”
— Brody Walker, Vice President and IT Manager at First Security Bank

First Security Bank selected a ShoreTel UC Solution for all-in-one simplification, scalability, and visibility across the enterprise, including ShoreTel IP Phones, ShoreTel Voice Switches, and ShoreTel Communicator with Professional, Operator, and Personal Access. The bank also engaged the ShoreTel Enterprise Service Program for comprehensive ongoing support. 

Benefits include:

• 80% reduction in maintenance and management costs
• Faster, easier installs and MACs
• Greater operational efficiency and significantly short ROI
• Better responsiveness for customers and flexible call handling options

“We tested three VoIP vendors and hands down, the winner was ShoreTel. The ease of use, the scalability, and the answer to our need for centralized, unified IP-based communications—it was all there.”

— Brody Walker, Vice President and IT Manager at First Security Bank