The Golden Eagle Bundle  pushes your institution further to digitize and integrate at the highest level with your online channels for advanced efficiency and oversight.This bundle represents our premium package that contains it ALL and delivers everything your institution needs to excel in this digitized financial world. In addition to all the benefits and features of the Blue Jay and Humming Bird bundles, the Golden Eagle will automate your entire back office and integrate your client’s digital channels.

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Core Features:
Advanced Payment Processing, Real-time Compliance Filtering, Performance Dashboards, and More

The Agile Blue Jay package is the perfect starter bundle, designed to enhance agility and adaptability. It offers essential payment processing capabilities, ideal for cross-border transactions by industry standards. This bundle is an excellent fit for financial institutions that are in the early stages of their automation journey but need reliable and efficient operations. 

With features such as complete straight-through Processing, Real-time Compliance Filtering, Performance Dashboards, and more, Alchemy integrates robust functionalities that automate your internal, domestic, and international payments, standing orders, reporting, and compliance needs. It provides real-time APIs seamlessly connected to your core banking system.  

All these features are included in the Blue Jay package as well as ALL other bundles. 

Payment Operations Best Practices 

Alchemy automatically routes payments based on business rules through various electronic queues for handling or review by the bank’s appropriate officer(s). This allows the bank to maintain functional segregation for payment entry, verification, authorization, and compliance. The business rules determine how all payments are routed through the organization till completion and fulfillment. If no exceptions or other non-compliant situations occur, payments will be processed straight through (STP) through the bank in less than two minutes. 

The Alchemy Blue Jay bundle includes all the required automated functions for ensuring streamlined process improvements: 

• Payment Workflow Manager: Alchemy automates all the internal protocols used by the bank. Once defined and configured into the platform during implementation, these business rules are the intelligence used to perform dozens of automated activities, controls, and validations that have historically been done manually. The bank will be trained to update and add to these business rules to fine-tune the back-office operation when required. 

• Payment Routing: All payments will be routed to the correct correspondent or settlement bank based on a pre-defined set of standard business rules of each payment. If more than one correspondent is used for a specific currency, further business rules or a manual override performed by the entry officer will ensure efficient further processing. 
• Workflow Routing: Based on the type of payment, the workflow is determined for routing the payment to the correct queues. For example, should a payment exceed a certain monetary value, it may require authorization from a second authorization officer which is then automatically requested. 
• Posting Sets: Upon completion of the Entry, Verification, and Authorization processing steps, Alchemy will automatically select, generate, and process in real-time ‘balanced’ postings into the core banking system. 
• Currency Conversions: Alchemy will automatically perform all currency conversions required to process the payment. The exchange rates will be read from the core banking system. However, the bank may set up business rules to give ‘preferred’ rates to preferred clients. 
• Custom Posting Descriptions: Detailed posting descriptions will be selected and generated according to the bank’s specifications. These posting descriptions contain the information that will appear on the customer’s online or paper statements and notifications. The bank may display one line item or multiple lines of detailed payment data. 

• SWIFT connectivity and alternative XBS Integration: Alchemy supports seamless integration with both SWIFT and other alternative XBS (cross border services) providers like Mastercard, Thunes, and possibly others. By leveraging the SWISSRoute Service Bureau, co-established by Finastra and IBIS Management Associates Inc., banks gain access to cost-effective, compliant cross-border messaging within a highly secure environment. The SWISSRoute data center in Zurich, certified by SWIFT and MasterCard XBS, provides robust physical security, redundant telecommunications, uninterrupted power supply, and fire protection, ensuring reliable transaction processing.
• E-Alerts: Automated electronic alerts (email or other) notify bank officers or clients when payments require special attention, such as insufficient funds in an ordering account. This proactive messaging system ensures that all stakeholders remain informed of all exception items without requiring continuous monitoring.

• Standing Payment Orders:  Standing orders and future-dated payments, including account balance SWAPS, can be entered for automatic processing, eliminating all manual activities. If funds are insufficient, Alchemy will attempt to debit the account for several days and post an NSF fee if the payment fails.
• Flexible Fee Module: : Alchemy’s fee module allows banks to configure and manage transaction fees effectively. Alchemy automates calculating and posting all fees, including those tailored for standard and preferred customers. With the ability to apply fees using multiple parameters (such as fixed rates, percentages, or tiered structures), Alchemy streamlines fee management, supports strategic pricing initiatives, and enables the application of customized fees for preferred clients, boosting customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.
• Real-time Compliance Filtering:  All incoming and outgoing payments are automatically screened in real-time against the bank’s internal blacklist and external databases. This ensures compliance and protects the bank’s reputation. If a compliance match is found the designated officers are promptly electronically notified.
• Core Banking Posting API: Alchemy
  Alchemy integrates in real-time with any core banking system to access account and client data. Custom API development is available if a standard API is not yet available or in place, ensuring seamless data exchange.
• Nostro  Account Position Management: The Nostro Position Manager offers comprehensive real-time management of Nostro accounts. Treasurers gain easy access to current and projected positions, enabling effective daily monitoring and providing detailed transaction summaries.
• STP-Ready Payment Enrichment: Alchemy supports straight-through processing (STP) for over 98% of payments to automate transaction processing and reduce manual intervention significantly. Payments are automatically enriched with STP-ready data and criteria to reach the STP benchmarks according to the bank’s business rules, improving efficiency and profitability.
• STP Validation Manager: This feature ensures all payment fields, whether entered manually or through online channels, are validated for accuracy and completeness before fulfillment. For instance, payments to Europe are checked for correct IBAN numbers, preventing costly repair fees from correspondent banks.
• Standard Performance Dashboards: All Alchemy bundled packages are standard delivered with insightful Payment processing performance dashboards. These will provide real-time graphical reporting on payment volumes, STP, Compliance rates, revenues, and profitability per payment type processed.
  

Comprehensive Tools for Managing Batch Payments, ACH Files, and Credit Card Settlements

• Corporate Batch Payment Manager: With corporate batch, easily submit multi-currency payment batch files for payroll, vendor, dividend, and other transactions by corporate clients and internal departments. Alchemy processes these batch files automatically, ensuring seamless STP integration with core banking systems. This module supports standard file formats like Excel and Fixed Text, with custom formats available upon implementation.
• ACH File & Connection Manager: Routes outgoing transfers to the National ACH clearing network securely and automatically based on pre-defined ACH processing rules. This ensures reliable interfacing with the ACH network for efficient payment handling.
• RTGS Interface (SWIFT-Based): Supports the automated handling of local SWIFT RTGS payments, both incoming and outgoing. Payments are identified and processed based on criteria such as local BIC, currency, amount thresholds, and payment priority, ensuring timely debit/credit transactions with comprehensive fee management.
• Instant Payments: Globally, National Payment and Clearing Systems (NPS) are moving towards Instant Payment technology, where Account to account transfers happen in real-time. Be ready by connecting your institution with the Alchemy instant payment module to seamlessly process payments fast.
• STP Check Printing Manager: For institutions that still print their cheques, the STP Check Manager automates the printing and processing of checks and drafts. Payments entered into Alchemy are routed for printing on pre-formatted security paper with a correspondent bank’s template. The system automatically generates and processes SWIFT messages and posting sets.
• Merchant Settlement Manager: Merchant Card processing is typically outsourced to a processor. The automatic settlement of merchant payments by processing settlement files from Merchant payment processors. Alchemy reads, converts, and processes these files, automatically managing all postings, fees, debits, credits, and reversals.
• Credit Card Payment Manager: Credit Card client payment processing is typically outsourced to a Card processor. This module enables the efficient updating and processing of client accounts for credit card payments. Alchemy validates and processes transactions, reversals, debits customer accounts, and updates various GL accounts, supporting both monthly and ad-hoc settlements.
• Credit Card Settlement Manager: Credit Card Settlement processing is typically outsourced to a Card processor. This module automates STP processing for credit card settlements received from processors. Settlement files containing customer account details and payment amounts are processed according to business rules, with credits posted to a suspense account identified by the credit card number.

 
Client digital channels:
Alchemy’s client digital channels provide a suite of tools designed to enhance user engagement and operational efficiency.

• Alchemy Banking App (ABA): The Alchemy Banking App is a versatile and comprehensive digital banking mobile App designed to meet various financial activities and digital client needs. Key features include

• • • Accounts Management: Offers efficient access to bank accounts, loan and mortgage management, and credit card information.
    • Payments: Seamless, real-time, and straight-through payment processing for domestic, regional, and international payments.
    • Biometrics MFA: Enhances security with multi-factor authentication, fingerprint, and facial recognition, customizable to client needs.
    • Intelligent Action Pay: Facilitates touchless payments through QR code scanning or direct cloud-based payment requests.
    • Payment Templates: Allows saving transaction types for future one-click execution, streamlining repetitive banking tasks.
    • Branch Services: Provides in-app functionality for appointment scheduling, checkbook orders, and customer service.

ABA is designed for user-friendly navigation, providing a secure, feature-rich digital banking experience that enhances client satisfaction and operational efficiency.

• SWIFT Statement Manager (SWIFT MT940/950):  The SWIFT Statement Manager lets banks provide corporate clients and correspondent banks with accurate and timely electronic SWIFT-formatted statements. This tool is essential for delivering fast, reliable financial statements, which are invaluable for corporate clients and support automated reconciliation systems. The module automatically extracts, formats, and transmits SWIFT MT940/950 statements, ensuring efficient client communication and improved service delivery.
  

• Alchemy Insight: Alchemy Insight Alchemy Insight extends the performance dashboard with a reporting module within the Alchemy Payment Processing Suite. It offers structured and comprehensive reports based on payment history data housed in a centralized data warehouse. This module provides insights into transaction volumes, revenues, user productivity, and client profitability. Users can perform data mining, statistical reporting, and detailed analysis for strategic decision-making. Alchemy Insight is an excellent data source for AML screening, profiling, and reporting by external AML applications, enhancing compliance and risk management.

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All Alchemy bundles run on World-Class Processing Infrastructure, no exception!

The Alchemy platforms are hosted in world-class, secure data centers adhering to the highest reliability, security, processing power, and advanced data protection standards. This includes robust security measures such as full encryption (at rest and in transit), compliance with PCI security standards, and flexible scaling options for on-demand growth. And more;

Key Features and Security Enhancements:

• Top-tier Data Center Hosting:
  Deployed in Tier-IV Cloud data centers in Toronto and Montreal Canada, ensuring the highest operational security, performance, and innovation. 
• Fully Encrypted Data:
  
  • Databases are fully encrypted, both at rest and during data transmission.
  • Alchemy adheres to a Financial Services Security Framework Certification, ensuring compliance with stringent industry standards.
  • PCI compliance for secure payment processing.

• Encryption and Compliance:
  • Databases are fully encrypted, both at rest and during data transmission.
  • Alchemy adheres to a Financial Services Security Framework Certification, ensuring compliance with stringent industry standards.
  • PCI compliance for secure payment processing.
• Backup and Scalability:
  • Offline encrypted storage backups for enhanced data safety.
  • Flexible and on-demand capacity scaling capabilities to adjust to operational needs.

• Secure and Reliable Connectivity:
  • Dual VPNs provide reliable, secure connectivity with core systems.

• User-Friendly Web GUI:
  
  • Alchemy integrates a modern web GUI. This interface replaces the standard green screen with an intuitive, web-based display, allowing users to access Alchemy’s functionality through a smoother and more visually appealing platform. This upgrade boosts usability, productivity, and the overall user experience.

• IBM Cloud Security Commitment:

• • Built on SOC 2-certified and ISO-certified infrastructure, with layers of security from software protocols to physical access controls.
  • Separation of duty ensures access with full action logging.
  • Regular penetration testing by IBM and independent third parties enhances security.
  • GDPR compliance and Privacy Shield adherence for data transferred from the EU to the U.S.
    

 Continuous Support and Client Success: 
Alchemy provides comprehensive support through a dedicated helpdesk and client success management commitment to ensure operational excellence and continuous client satisfaction.

• Helpdesk Support (under SLA): The standard Helpdesk Service includes:
  • End-User Support: Users can receive assistance via phone and email.
  • Technical System Incident Management: Support for technical issues reported during office hours (weekdays, 8:00 – 17:00).
  • System Patches and Fixes: Coverage for necessary patches and fixes related to standard system use and periodic OS upgrades.
  • Helpdesk Service Upgrades: Clients can choose to enhance their support plan with additional packages:
  • Extended Helpdesk Service: Expanded support during office hours from 8:00 to 21:00 on weekdays.
  • Premium Helpdesk Service: Comprehensive 24/7 support for continuous coverage.

Note: Incidents reported outside the agreed support window or on non-business days (weekends and holidays) incur a minimum charge of US$250 per incident or first hour of on-site support. Additional hours on non-working days are charged at 200% of the standard hourly rate.

• Dedicated Client Success Manager (CSM): IBIS Management is committed to fostering strong client relationships through a dedicated Client Success Manager. This proactive strategy ensures clients achieve their goals while experiencing continuous value from Alchemy’s products and services.
  • Critical Elements of the CSM Service:
    Proactive Engagement: Continuous interaction to meet current needs and anticipate future requirements.
    Client Success Executives: Focused on maintaining satisfaction and aligning product use with business objectives.
    Sustainable Growth: Supports long-term growth by strengthening client partnerships.
  • Client Expectations: Clients can rely on personalized, proactive support to ensure long-term success. This approach emphasizes collaboration, trust, and a mutually beneficial relationship.