Our Why

At Core System Partners, we believe that core banking transformation is not just a technology project, it’s a generational reset. When a bank or credit union is held back by outdated systems, the ripple effect impacts employees, customers, communities, and the financial system at large.

We exist to help banks modernize with clarity, confidence, and credibility, by cutting through vendor hype, navigating complexity and guiding every step with experience and truth.

Because real transformation isn’t about flashy roadmaps or templated solutions.

It’s about making smart decisions that stand the test of time.

Our Promise

More than consultants. Trusted translators.

We don’t just help banks pick vendors or run RFPs. We bridge the gap between what vendors say and what banks actually need.

Whether you’re planning a transformation, recovering from one, or trying to future-proof what you’ve built, CSP brings the calm clarity of experience and the blunt honesty others won’t.

Our promise is built on three pillars:

1. Truth in Context

We bring data, experience, and candor to the table. With insights from 100+ transformations and proprietary research like our CB Radarâ„¢ Report, we help you separate marketing spin from operational reality.

2. Integrity in Every Interaction

We act like we’ve been on both sides because we have. From license negotiations to PMO rescue missions, we’ve seen the good, the bad, and the recoverable. You get straight talk, not sales talk.

3. Empowerment, Not Dependence

We don’t create dependency. We transfer knowledge, pressure-test your strategy, and build internal clarity so your team owns the path forward.

Team

Rick Mavrovich

CEO & Managing Director

Rick Mavrovich has over 25 years of experience leading complex banking transformations worldwide. He founded Core System Partners to help community and mid-sized banks modernize with practical, results-driven strategies rooted in integrity and execution discipline.

Cliff Bunt

Senior Business Architect

Cliff brings more than 30 years of banking and financial services experience across Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citi and Bank Leumi. At CSP, he helps institutions turn complex core, digital banking and technology decisions into practical requirements and executable plans.

Colin Cramer

Senior Advisor

Colin brings years of global experience leading complex transformation programs across financial services, specializing in governance, delivery assurance and program recovery. At CSP, he helps institutions manage high-stakes change with structure, adaptability and stakeholder trust.

Richard Eisenberg, Senior Advisor

Richard Eisenberg

Senior Advisor

Richard brings more than three decades of leadership across retail, commercial and private banking. Drawing on 23 and a half years at Citi and product leadership at Capital One, he helps institutions shape client-centered products, requirements and implementation strategies.

Ben Gurdus

Principal Consultant

Ben brings 30 years of experience delivering large-scale tech programs at institutions like Citibank, Bank Leumi and others with deep expertise in core banking, compliance, ops and legacy platform modernization. At CSP, he helps banks manage transformation at the intersection of compliance, cost control and operational complexity.

Core System Partners welcomes Mark La Penta as Senior Advisor, bringing 30+ years of leadership in technology, banking, and operations to guide clients through core transformation and digital modernization.

Mark La Penta

Senior Advisor

With over 25 years of experience as CIO and consultant, Mark leads enterprise technology and banking transformations. At CSP, he helps financial institutions modernize core systems and align leadership with strategy to drive long-term impact.

Ramaswamy Lakshminarasimhan

Senior Advisor

Ramaswamy has many years of experience in banking and technology, leading large-scale core and lending system transformations worldwide. Known for his calm, solutions-driven approach, At CSP, he helps banks modernize complex platforms and navigate regulatory and operational change with precision and clarity.

Richard Rotondo

Senior Advisor

Richard Rotondo is a seasoned digital banking strategist with over 20 years of leadership across banking, fintech and risk management. He helps financial institutions bridge technology, strategy, and customer experience to drive practical, end-to-end digital transformation.

Gerald Scales

Senior Advisor

Gerry Scales brings decades of leadership in trust, wealth management and banking operations at top global institutions. At CSP, he advises clients on vendor strategy, trust operations, and platform modernization, known for his calm, analytical approach to complex transformation challenges.

Our team has held roles ranging from Program Manager to Program Director, leading the transformation efforts for clients through all phases of the project lifecycle, including:

  • requirements definition

  • core banking system evaluation and selection
  • management of negotiations of a software license, services, and outsourcing agreements
  • program strategic and operational roadmap and plans
  • implementation of a program management office
  • management and executive-level reporting
  • and technology integration with in-house and third-party systems
Team

Our team has recently worked with Confidential Credit Union (Utah), Community Bank of PA, Valley Bank, CIT Bank, Bank Leumi, National Bank of Abu Dhabi, and Citibank, among others, on a variety of projects including digital transformation, branch transformation, process re-engineering, and organizational design. With our wealth of experience and expertise, we are well-equipped to help banks and credit unions improve and modernize their technology infrastructure.