A Partnership Built on Trust: Why Colleen Woggon and Oakdale Credit Union Just Signed for 10 More Years with ESP

Colleen Woggon, Credit Union CEO

Oakdale Credit Union Tomah, WI

In an era of "vendor hopping," a decade-long contract renewal is more than just a business deal; it is a testament to a deep-rooted partnership. 

We recently sat down with Colleen Woggon, CEO of Oakdale Credit Union (Oakdale CU), to discuss her remarkable 39-year tenure with the institution and its decision to commit to another 10 years with Enhanced Software Products, Inc. (ESP) as its core processing provider. 

Oakdale CU, which serves over 11,000 members across nine counties in South Central Wisconsin, has been with ESP since ESP’s very beginning in 1996. For Colleen, the decision to stay with ESP for a cumulative 40 years was simple: “No one holds a candle to ESP.” 

Keeping Pace with the Times 

When asked why Oakdale CU has remained loyal to ESP since 1996, Colleen pointed to evolution. "I’ve observed the changes and improvements they have made since we first contracted with them," she noted. "They are always ahead of the game, often presenting a solution before we even realize the technology is needed." 

Balancing personalized service with a digital-first experience requires the right tools. To meet these needs, Oakdale CU will be deploying ESP Digital Banking, a modern digital banking solution and apps. The focus will be on meeting members where they are while keeping them connected to their community credit union. 

"We can see that roughly 65% of our members are currently using their phones for banking," Colleen explained. "With our deployment of ESP Digital Banking, we are seeking to consolidate services such as RDC (Remote Deposit Capture) and SHAZAM into a true mobile app to increase member usage and ease of access." 

The FORZA³™ Advantage: Training "In a Heartbeat" 

One of the standout moments of our interview was Colleen’s praise for ESP's FORZA³™ core processing platform. While other platforms are known for being difficult to learn, Colleen finds that FORZA³™ gives her a competitive edge in staff training. 

"We have employees from other credit unions who are shocked to learn how easy FORZA³™ is to use," Colleen said. "You can train a teller in a heartbeat." This operational efficiency allows Oakdale CU’s 31 employees across three branches to focus less on navigating software and more on serving their members. 

A Culture That Feels Like Family 

At Oakdale CU, the tagline is "We treat you like a member of the family." According to Colleen, that isn’t just a marketing slogan; it’s the exact same experience they receive from the team at ESP. 

What makes ESP stand out in such a busy market is our culture. We foster a genuine sense of transparency and respect here that you don't see everywhere. We consistently put our clients first, which has earned us a rock-solid reputation. You can really see it in the way our credit union clients rave about us and the high level of respect we get from others across the industry.

Looking Toward 2035 

What does success look like for a partnership that will eventually span 40 years? For Colleen and Oakdale CU, it’s about growth and stability. Success in 2035 means being the "go-to" institution for new members and providing them with the tools and financial resources they need to be successful. 

"ESP’s commitment to evolving solutions meets the needs of the credit union," Colleen concluded. "We want this 10-year contract because of the trust we’ve built." 

At ESP, we are honored to continue this journey with Colleen and the entire Oakdale Credit Union team. Here’s to the next decade of innovation!