UFS, a Grafton, WI-based technology provider for community banks, has acquired Safe Systems, a Georgia-based IT and security services firm serving around 260 financial institutions. The deal, whose terms were not disclosed, aims to strengthen UFS’s ability to support community banks by integrating Safe Systems’ expertise in IT compliance and security.

This acquisition allows UFS to offer Safe Systems’ award-winning services, including IT compliance and cybersecurity, to its customers, while Safe Systems’ clients will gain access to UFS’s broader range of banking technology solutions, such as core banking applications and managed IT services. Combined, the organizations will serve nearly 400 financial institutions nationwide.

Tyler Morgan, CIO of Farmers and Merchants Bank, expressed optimism about the merger, noting that it represents a significant win for community banks. Industry leaders and customers echoed this sentiment, highlighting the enhanced service and support that will result from the integration.

Eric Jones, President of UFS, emphasized that the acquisition aligns with UFS’s mission to free bankers from technology and compliance concerns, allowing them to focus on serving their communities. Darren Bridges, President of Safe Systems, shared his confidence in the merger, citing a shared commitment to customer service and community banking.

This strategic move underscores UFS’s ongoing effort to become the leading technology outfitter for community banks, reinforcing its dedication to empowering financial institutions to succeed in today’s competitive landscape.