How does a community bank—with a board handling sensitive financial data—find a new board portal that’s intuitive, cost-effective, and keeps their information secure?
Centinel Bank of Taos is a locally owned community bank serving Taos County, New Mexico, with three locations. Established in 1969, this family-founded bank provides a full range of personal and business banking services while keeping community interests at the forefront of its decision-making. Centinel Bank’s board relies on efficient, secure access to board materials.
See why Centinel Bank chose Aprio for a secure, intuitive board portal that saves time, empowers directors, and ensures smooth governance. Download the full case study.
The challenge: replacing a board portal without disrupting board operations
When Diligent announced it was sunsetting BoardPaq, Centinel Bank faced an unexpected decision: accept the default migration to BoardEffect, or explore alternative board portal software that might better meet their needs.
“We decided we should also look at other companies and see how the different services compare,” says Leslie Mondragon, HR Officer and Vice President at Centinel Bank.
Instead of accepting the default migration, Centinel Bank took time to evaluate its options to make sure it was choosing the best solution.
The solution: finding the right-fit board portal for a community bank
Security and privacy were top priorities. As a financial institution handling private data, Centinel Bank needed confidence that its board software solution would protect information while remaining accessible to authorized users.
Functionality and ease of use were also top of mind, as they needed a system that would work for both in-office and remote users. The team compared several board portal options, looking for a solution that would serve both administrators and board members effectively.
After a thorough evaluation of board portal options, Aprio stood out for its intuitive design, strong security, and ease of use.
“We found Aprio to be more intuitive and user-friendly,” recalls Mondragon. “We were able to find a solution that provided us with enhanced benefits for a lesser cost.”
The impact: easier board operations for Centinel Bank
Since switching to Aprio board management software, Centinel Bank has experienced several key improvements:
Time saved with automatic updates
Previously, any time a manager updated a report, Mondragon had to be notified so she could manually rebuild the entire board package. Now, that extra step is gone.
“Any administrator can update reports, and Aprio updates the packet all at one time,” explains Mondragon. “The most current version is always what’s live, and I find that’s a huge time saver.”
Board empowered to work independently
Aprio’s intuitive design means that everyone who needs to use it can do so independently—from managers posting reports to directors accessing materials remotely.
“The system is simple and easy to navigate, for me as the administrator, and also for all our managers who are posting information for board review,” says Mondragon. “They’re able to navigate the system independently. That makes my job much easier.”
Customer service that stands out
The Aprio support team has made a strong impression on Centinel Bank from day one.
“Customer service really stands out to me,” says Mondragon. “For anyone in an administrative role preparing board materials, it’s really helpful to know there’s someone you can call to get a quick response. The Aprio team is accessible, and that’s something you don’t always get with vendors.”
Key benefits of switching to Aprio include:
- Secure platform for sensitive financial data
- Time saved with automatic packet updates
- Always-current materials—no more errors
- Easy, quick transition to new portal
- More self-sufficient, engaged board members
- Responsive, expert customer service when needed
“We found that through our review process, Aprio seems to be more intuitive and user-friendly. We were able to find a solution that provided us with enhanced benefits and improved customer service, for a lesser cost. The switch was easier than expected, and I think we made the right move.” —Leslie Mondragon, HR Officer and Vice President, Centinel Bank of Taos
Download the full case study to learn more about Centinel Bank’s evaluation process and results.
What to consider when evaluating board portal software for banks
Centinel Bank’s experience offers helpful guidance for other community banks and financial institutions facing similar decisions about board portal software.
When evaluating a board portal for banks, consider:
- Security and compliance: Does the board portal meet the security standards required for financial institutions handling sensitive board materials and confidential data?
- Ease of use for all users: Can both board administrators and board members navigate the system independently, regardless of their comfort level with technology?
- Board meeting efficiency: Does it simplify board meeting preparation, material distribution, and remote board participation?
Support and implementation: What level of customer service and training support is available during and after the transition? - Total cost of ownership: Does the pricing align with your budget while providing the functionality your board governance requires?
Centinel Bank found a board portal solution that balanced these priorities effectively. The switch from BoardPaq to Aprio provided improved ease of use, strong security, and responsive customer service—all at a lower cost than alternative options.
Curious if Aprio is the right fit board portal for your bank? Start a conversation with our team to get started.
