Press Release

Sidney Federal Credit Union Implements Frictionless Voice Verification with IllumaSHIELD™

Sidney Federal Credit Union (SFCU), a trusted financial institution serving Central and Upstate New York, has implemented IllumaSHIELD™, the leading voice authentication and caller fraud prevention technology from Illuma, to enhance call center security and streamline member verification. IllumaSHIELD™ verifies callers passively within seconds—enhancing security and the member experience.

With the rise of fraud and evolving cybersecurity threats, SFCU continues to prioritize member protection and service excellence. IllumaSHIELD™ empowers SFCU representatives to authenticate members using voice biometrics within seconds of conversation—eliminating the need for traditional PINs, passwords, or security questions.

“Our priority is giving members a secure, effortless experience,” said Jim Reynolds, President/CEO at Sidney Federal Credit Union. “With IllumaSHIELD™, we’re able to verify identities quickly while keeping their member accounts safe.”

IllumaSHIELD™ seamlessly integrates with SFCU’s existing systems, and was deployed in just 3 days enabling real-time, frictionless voice authentication for their contact center. The AI-driven platform not only strengthens fraud prevention but also supports SFCU’s commitment to innovation and personalized service.

“We are proud to welcome Sidney Federal Credit Union to the Illuma family,” said Milind Borkar, Founder & CEO of Illuma. “By adopting voice authentication, SFCU is taking a proactive step in modernizing security and improving member interactions—demonstrating leadership in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.”

As digital transformation accelerates, SFCU’s investment in advanced authentication technology reinforces its role as a forward-thinking credit union focused on both trust and innovation.

About Illuma

Illuma is a FinTech company headquartered in Plano, Texas. Illuma is the leader in real-time voice authentication and fraud prevention for financial institutions. Its flagship solution, IllumaSHIELD™, uses AI-powered voice biometrics to deliver secure, seamless authentication, reducing fraud risks while improving efficiency in contact centers. 

IllumaSHIELD™ has been featured at premier FinTech events and has won multiple accolades, including ‘Best in Show’ at Finovate, VentureTech, CreditUnions.com Innovation Series, and NACUSO Next Big Idea, recognizing our leadership in financial technology innovation. For more information, visit illuma.cx. 

About Sidney Federal Credit Union

Sidney Federal Credit Union (SFCU) is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial institution serving individuals, families, and businesses throughout Central and Upstate New York. With a commitment to community, integrity, and financial empowerment, SFCU offers a wide range of banking solutions designed to support members at every stage of life. Learn more at https://sfcuonline.org.