Reliable Credit Association: Building a Secure Future Through Modernization

For more than 65 years, Reliable Credit Association (RCA) has been a trusted name in consumer lending. But by 2017, their leadership knew their IT systems—anchored by an aging mainframe—were holding them back. Security risks were growing, remote work was difficult to support, and future innovation seemed out of reach.

They needed more than just new technology. They needed a partner who could guide them through transformation with empathy, clarity, and a long-term vision.

That’s where Covenant Technology Solutions stepped in.

The Challenge: Outdated Systems and Rising Risks

RCA faced several hurdles that will resonate with many businesses today:

• Legacy Technology: A custom-built mainframe that few people could still support.
• Single Point of Failure: An on-premises data center in Milwaukie, OR, put the entire business at risk of outages.
• Security Concerns: Threats like ransomware loomed large, yet restrictive security policies limited modernization.
• Remote Work Limitations: Employees had few options to securely access systems outside the office.

These challenges made clear that RCA needed not just a technical upgrade but a strategic roadmap to modernization.

The Solution: A Relationship Built on Trust

After more than a year of evaluating providers, RCA chose Covenant Technology Solutions for one reason: relationship.

Covenant didn’t just offer a checklist of services—they offered clarity, flexibility, and transparency. Together, they built a digital transformation plan anchored in three areas:

• Security First: Implementing Fortify for Microsoft 365 and Azure with MFA, enhanced email security, and 24/7 monitoring.
• Infrastructure Modernization: Migrating to Azure cloud with redundancy, streamlined branch office connectivity, and disaster recovery.
• Cost Optimization: Consolidating Azure tenants to cut unnecessary costs while improving efficiency.

When challenges arose, Covenant’s no-blame culture meant RCA never felt like they were navigating this journey alone.

The Outcomes: Resilience, Security, and Growth

Since partnering with Covenant, RCA has achieved outcomes that speak directly to its business goals:

• Business Continuity: Eliminated dependence on a single data center, reducing risk from outages and disasters.
• Security Confidence: Comprehensive protection against ransomware, with compliance with financial regulations.
• Remote Work Ready: Secure remote access became a lifeline during the COVID-19 pandemic and remains a core strength today.
• Cost Savings: Streamlined Azure resources delivered measurable savings without sacrificing performance.
• Innovation Enabled: With a modern, scalable foundation, RCA is now preparing to modernize its loan platform and expand services.

Client Voices: Trust Earned Through Partnership

Choosing Covenant has been one of the best decisions I’ve made since I’ve been here. They’re transparent about their strengths, and when specialized expertise is needed, they connect us with trusted partners who maintain their high standards.

Brian Tuttle, Chief Information and Digital Officer, RCA

We feel immensely more secure now. The relationship with Covenant has transformed how we approach technology.

James Herr, IT Infrastructure Manager, RCA

Lessons for Every Business

RCA’s story shows that digital transformation isn’t just about migrating to the cloud or checking off compliance requirements. It’s about building a relationship that balances education, empathy, and outcomes.

For any business—whether in finance, healthcare, manufacturing, or government—the path forward starts with:

• Knowing your risks
• Building a secure, scalable foundation
• Partnering with a team invested in your long-term success

That’s the Covenant difference.