Quality Service With Results
Our contributions are well known because of our commitment to providing maximum value to our clients. We look forward to exceeding your expectations.
Sabeh F. Samaha, Founder and Managing Consultant
Samaha Associates
Testimonials
Samaha Associates works with our valued clients to establish a partnership of success.
Dutch Point Credit Union - Charlyn Reese, Chief Financial Officer
When our Credit Union decided to undertake a core conversion project, we knew that we needed a seasoned consulting firm to guide us through the process. We had never done a core conversion before and didn’t know all the pitfalls to look for. Hiring Samaha Associates was extremely beneficial in helping to guide us through a complex end to end core system conversion. Their expertise in RFP due diligence, contract negotiations and the project conversion, guided to keep our team on track. I would never undertake a project of this magnitude alone and highly recommend Samaha Associates. They know exactly how to get the job done extremely well.
Desert Valleys FCU - Eric Bruen, CEO
"We had the pleasure to work with Samaha Associates/Shapiro Partners to facilitate a two-day on-site strategic planning conference for our staff and board. The event relay helped to bring focus on the goals, values and strengths of our organization. Throughout the planning process, and in preparation of it, their group provided the highest level of professionalism and understanding towards our objectives. It was pleasure to work with them and we look forward to using them again in the future to ensure that the goals we defined are accomplished.”
Central State Credit Union - Patricia Jackson, Executive Vice President/COO
"Samaha Associates working knowledge and experience with our core vendor contributed significantly to our investment and proactively protected Central State Credit Union's long-term interest. Their experience in discovery, contract negotiation and implementation was invaluable and assisted our Credit Union to a very successful end-to-end conversion. Samaha Associates knew to include terms in our contract that we would have never known to do. I highly encourage using their firm when undertaking such a significant project."
Dupaco Community Credit Union - Bob Hoefer, President/CEO
"Samaha Associates helped us negotiate the terms of a complex data processing agreement. The firm's expertise helped us arrive at an agreement which provided enhanced value, protections, flexibilities and benefits for the Credit Union. I would recommend their services to another Credit Union."
Pasadena Federal Credit Union - Ron Berry, President/CEO
"We have had the pleasure to work with Samaha Associates on three separate projects: the selection of a new core provider and successful implementation of a merger, and we utilized their services for the selection and implementation of a new phone system. We found them to be very thorough and professional to work with. They looked out for the best interests of Pasadena Federal Credit Union with growth and flexibility in mind. Their negotiation skills and contracts review were superior. I would be happy to recommend their services."
San Antonio Federal Credit Union - Chuck Smith Senior Vice President, Chief Lending Officer
"We engaged Samaha Associates several years ago to re-negotiate our ATM/Debit Card servicer contract and achieved tremendous cost saving results. So, when it came time to renew our ATM, Debit Card and Credit Card service provider contracts, we immediately called them again for their services. Samaha Associates was able to negotiate even more substantial savings and revenue enhancements over our previous contracts with our providers. They took us from the RFP process to final contract negotiations with a no-nonsense, professional process. I would highly recommend Samaha Associates to any institution approaching an upcoming vendor contract re-negotiation or system selection process."
Camino Federal Credit Union - Ernesto Flores President / CEO
“In order to avoid any pitfalls during a merger, you need to have a firm grasp of the merger documentation process. Adam Denbo and Samaha Associates helped fill this void for us; and as a result was a huge asset in completing our merger with Alisos Credit Union. Their expertise helped make the process flow smoothly. It would have cost our Credit Union much more in time and/or resources to go about the process ourselves. Without hesitation, I would recommend Samaha Associates to my friends and colleagues in the Credit Union industry.”
Mid Cities Financial Credit Union - Melia Keller President / CEO
"As a new CEO, I needed an experienced consulting firm I could count on for support. Samaha Associates stepped up to help me where my core processor couldn’t.They helped me identify ways to retrieve and organize member data to better isolate member communication and marketing to save money. Samaha Associates also offered me a streamlined financial solution to save us time preparing the financials each month and forecast throughout the month. If you are looking to save money, streamline processes, or simply need guidance, I highly recommend Samaha Associates."
Apple Federal Credit Union - Juan Batista Vice President of Information Technology
"We hired Samaha Associates to negotiate a key third party contract involving a new Online Banking and Bill Payment provider. Samaha Associates were able to negotiate highly favorable short term conditions that will help us secure a solid and member transparent conversion. They were also able to secure highly beneficial long term contractual conditions that promise to serve us very well in our relationship with the new vendor. The pricing concessions that Sabeh Samaha was able to achieve for us were also highly impressive. Samaha Associates are truly dedicated business partners. We have now retained their services for another critical contractual negotiation. We strongly recommend Samaha & Associates, Inc. for all those looking for a solid negotiating team."
SchoolsFirst FCU - Jose Lara, SVP
"Samaha Associates are high tech, no nonsense professionals. They know how to develop, manage and execute a plan better than any company I have ever worked with. I would recommend them highly to any credit union that needs assistance with implementing new or existing technology."
Technology Credit Union - Ken Burns, President / CEO
“In September of 2008, Tech CU converted to a leading core system. To ensure our success, we turned to a proven industry expert, Samaha Associates. Sabeh and his team delivered the expertise and resources necessary to negotiate, integrate, streamline and enhance critical products and processes essential to our successful core system conversion. The outcome was a conversion as close to flawless as one could reasonably hope to achieve. Without hesitation, I strongly recommend Samaha and Associates to any of my peers seeking system efficiencies or a core conversion.”
Alliant Credit Union - Rudy Pereira, CIO
"I have always been impressed with the depth of Credit Union knowledge, confidentiality, and work ethic that Samaha Associates brings each time we have used their consulting services. Samaha Associates is a pleasure to work with and is extremely responsive and available throughout the consulting project."
Xceed Financial Credit Union - Teresa Freeborn President / CEO
"When we needed a leading consulting firm with proven results to assist us with our merger we turned to Samaha Associates. Their depth of experience in core systems, third party interfaces, internal best practices and proven results ensured our financial institution had a smooth and successful integration. Having worked with Samaha Associates in other high risk projects, they are a trusted partner that continues to deliver superior outcomes. I would highly recommend to any Financial Institution their excellent work and services."
Bay Federal Credit Union - Carrie Birkhofer, President / CEO
"Sabeh Samaha is a trusted partner of Bay Federal Credit Union. He has assisted us for the past two years in the selection and implementation of a new core system. His wide range of practical experience provides management with overall project management guidance, best practices in negotiation of contracts and vendor management. In addition, Sabeh is highly skilled and understands the finest, intricate system process details, which better guarantees successful project outcomes. I appreciate Sabeh for his attention to detail, thoroughness, and knowledge of third party applications. Sabeh is a trusted, skilled team player who has greatly contributed to the success of our conversion."
Martin FCU - Denise Gale, Executive Vice President
"Martin FCU hired Samaha Associates to assist us in selecting a new core processor. Their methodology allowed us to clearly assess our needs and find a best-fit solution at the right price. Their contract negotiations and knowledge of the provider we chose, further assured we had a great conversion team with specific deliverables. We were so convinced of the value of Samaha Associates that we contracted them again for the actual conversion process. The result was a conversion with flawless data, delivered on time, on budget, and with all processes functioning on live day. While we notified our membership we would be closed on live day, we opened our first offices and call center before 11:00 a.m. with the others following shortly thereafter. I would highly recommend Samaha Associates for their knowledge, skill, and ease to work with."
First Entertainment Credit Union - Chuck Bruen, President / CEO
"Sabeh is the ideal person to 'fill-the-gap' when we need a special technology solution or fix. He offers great value by quickly grasping the problem or challenge and then managing it to a satisfactory conclusion. Sabeh has served us well and has a history of accomplishments here at First Entertainment."
Sacramento Credit Union - Jerrold A. Kinlock, President / CEO
"The professionalism, business acumen and high standards possessed by Sabeh Samaha have served Sacramento Credit Union well. I have worked with Mr. Samaha at the executive level to successfully complete complex projects and have observed the positive outcome when he has worked with staff. His knowledge of and interface with industry vendors is particularly helpful."
USC Credit Union - Gary Perez, President / CEO
“Over the past decade, Samaha Associates has provided invaluable analysis and counsel to USCCU in their role as trusted Technology and Process Analysis Consultants. Every engagement has been supported with a well-crafted scope document that clearly outlined the project’s deliverables. More importantly, the firm has consistently exceeded the boundaries of both their contractual obligations and our expectations. Over the years, we have come to trust Sabeh Samaha as a vital extension of USCCU’s management team. It is my privilege to recommend and endorse Samaha Associates for Technology Consulting related engagements.
San Bernardino School Employees Credit Union - Debbie Barrera, President / CEO
“I have hired Samaha Associates for various projects at my current and previous credit unions. On many occasions while working with Sabeh, he has always demonstrated impeccable work ethic, diligence, competence, and admiration for the credit union industry. I am confident that Samaha Associates will continue to bring great value and dedication to the Credit Union Industry.”
Orlando Federal Credit Union - John M. Neusaenger, President / CEO
"When we began the process to bid out our Debit and Credit Card processing, we knew that we would be navigating through a complex maze of networks, switches, and pricing strategies. Sabeh was a tremendous resource. He knew the companies who would be vying for our business and how to put their proposals into a perspective that provided a rational decision basis. His recommendations were based on the best interest of the Credit Union. Sabeh’s value in this process continued to grow after the bidding was over, as we pushed through contract negotiations and to implementation. His team was with us all the way and our team appreciated their task mastery and commitment to the process. With Samaha and Associates, this process has provided benefits to our members that would not have been realized otherwise."
Schools Credit Union - Terry Janke, President / CEO
"When we need help with implementing our strategic initiatives we turn to our trusted partner Samaha Associates. They are a well rounded team of professional and knowledgeable consultants that intimately understand our market and business. They bring an exceptional balance of strategy, analysis, negotiation and execution in our most important projects and have contributed significantly to our success. We have used them for our core conversion, payment systems projects, disaster recovery planning and in strategic research. I believe their services are imperative for high quality results and outcomes."
Orange County’s Credit Union - Judy McCartney, Retired President / CEO
"We have worked with Sabeh on two projects: evaluation of debit cards and a debit card promotion. Both have been very successful through increasing the bottom line, reduction in costs and more relationships with our members. We will continue to work with Sabeh on projects and highly recommend him. He is honest, thorough, dependable, on time and does very cost effective projects. While we all have in-house management, Sabeh is there to do those specialized projects which allow associates to continue serving our members and running the day to day operations of the credit union."
Spokane Teachers Credit Union - Diana Hickman, Manager Card Services
"Sabeh Samaha is extremely knowledgeable of the card industry and did us an excellent job in evaluating all options. Sabeh helped Spokane Teachers Credit Union analyze the different debit card processors in an ever changing marketplace to make an informed decision. He was instrumental in obtaining the best pricing and contract terms available."
Sacramento Credit Union - Joe Favela, Former EVP
"Sacramento Credit Union has benefited from the professional consulting services of Samaha Associates for a number of years. Mr. Samaha’s keen sense of detail and precision are applied to all aspects of his work. Timely recommendations have guided our company to success in a variety of complex projects."
USC Credit Union - Sharon Luke, Former VP E-Business
"Samaha Associates provides innovative solutions for processes and technology ranging from research and development-to-project planning and implementation. The vast knowledge of Samaha Associates is accompanied with solid industry contacts and specialists available to assist in all aspects of financial and e-Business solutions."
Nissan Federal Credit Union - Larry Dodge, Former President / CEO
"Samaha Associates was instrumental in the selection and negotiation phase of our core system conversion and they were the driving force in bringing up all our e-business applications during the conversion process. Sabeh is a true professional, well versed in the financial technology landscape and committed to positive outcomes on projects. Sabeh has excellent project management skills as well as strong interpersonal skills. If you are looking to add to your e-business product mix, evaluate core systems, or improve the effectiveness of technology projects I would strongly recommend Samaha Associates."
OCHA Credit Union - Daniel Wright, Former CEO
"Samaha Associates has been an essential technology partner of not only OCHA but the Credit Union Industry for several years as well. Sabeh has a commitment to fight for his clients while providing a high level of service at competitive prices."
