From startup to scale-up: a solid technical foundation for Vista Hypotheken.
Vista Hypotheken, a subsidiary of Rabobank, is growing rapidly: from startup to scale-up. The website needed to keep pace. While the old site still had a startup feel, Vista was ready for a fresh, predictable environment with simple navigation that takes visitors directly to the right information, built on technology suited to this phase. That site also serves a dual purpose: to provide advisors with everything they need to effectively recommend Vista, while simultaneously giving homebuyers a clear picture of what Vista has to offer.
For many people, taking out a mortgage is one of the biggest decisions of their lives. At Vista, this process always involves an advisor, which is why advisors are the primary target audience. The website must provide them with everything they need to give sound advice about Vista, while also giving homebuyers a clear picture of what Vista has to offer. Vista already had a solid foundation in place and was looking for a long-term partner to build on it. Cube took over the existing software, strengthened security even further, and expanded the site into a fast, accessible, and easily discoverable platform using the DatoCMS content management system.
A modern lender with its own unique identity.
Vista Hypotheken is a subsidiary of Rabobank and has been in business for nearly eight years. With over 30,000 customers, Vista has its own distinct identity within the Rabobank Group, with a clear focus on first-time homebuyers and sustainability. That commitment to sustainability is embedded in the product itself. An interest rate discount on a home with an A energy efficiency rating is now available from virtually every lender, but Vista goes a step further. Anyone who buys or builds a home using materials that reduce CO2 emissions receives a CO2 interest rate discount. In other words: When a customer qualifies for the CO2 interest rate discount, they automatically receive the “Interest Rate Label A” discount in virtually all cases. That means they benefit twice over.
In a world where everything revolves around trust and certainty, a stable digital environment is doubly important. The website is where advisors get their information and where homebuyers do their research. That platform cannot falter for even a moment.
Looking for a team that's in it for the long haul.
Vista had a functioning website and a clear vision for its direction. What was still missing was a team that could grow with the company: a long-term partner who would not only keep the software running but also build on it with a vision for the future. That partner came into the picture through a trusted connection. On the recommendation of hosting partner Shock Media, Vista and Cube began talks, and they hit it off right away. After a pitch, Cube became the new digital partner, tasked with taking over the existing codebase and taking the website to the next level.
“Although we’re from the Randstad and Cube is from Twente, we share the same down-to-earth mindset. The short lines of communication, accessibility, and expertise made all the difference from the very beginning. Cube not only provides a solid technical foundation but also proactively contributes ideas about the future of our website. In addition, they have a strong design team that effortlessly combines technology and creativity. It is precisely this combination of expertise, design sensibility, and proactivity that makes Cube a valuable partner for Vista.”
Iris Berents
Marketing Manager at Vista Hypotheken
A solid foundation as a starting point.
Cube is a strategic technology partner with nearly 15 years of experience in mission-critical software. You can’t renovate a building without first checking the foundation, so the process didn’t start with building but with understanding. Through a thorough code review and software takeover, the Cube team mapped out the codebase. The foundation proved to be solid, but we tightened the reins in the areas of security, release management, and quality control.
Moving forward safely in accordance with Cube's quality standards.
We implemented a robust CI/CD pipeline combined with strict versioning. To ensure that the website continues to function flawlessly with every update, we set up automated end-to-end tests. These allow us to continuously simulate the most important customer journeys, such as using the mortgage calculators. Before a new version of the code can go live, it must first successfully pass all Cypress tests in the pipeline. If a change accidentally breaks a feature, the system automatically blocks the release. This ensured the website continued to operate safely in accordance with Cube’s own quality standards.
"We identify opportunities for improvement, provide advice on structure and content, and offer support in implementing new features that align with Vista’s objectives. Our collaboration is characterized by direct communication, mutual trust, and a shared focus on quality and growth."
It all started with a shared vision. During their initial discussions, Vista and Cube worked together to define the organization’s direction, ensuring that both parties were on the same page from the start.
Unite
Vista and Cube worked together to translate that ambition into clear decisions and priorities, with the right people from both sides at the table.
Build
During the project, short lines of communication kept things moving at a brisk pace. Vista was constantly contributing ideas, Cube acted quickly, and feedback was addressed immediately rather than set aside for later.
Evolve
And it doesn't stop once the platform goes live. Vista and Cube continue to monitor, refine, and expand the platform together, ensuring that it evolves alongside the organization.
What we achieved together.
The result is a revamped website built on a modern headless architecture using DatoCMS. By completely decoupling the back end from the front end, Vista maintains maximum flexibility. For the front end, we chose Vue.js, running on the Nuxt.js framework, with a fresh design that matches Vista’s distinctive character.
Communication between the content management system and the front end is handled efficiently via a powerful GraphQL API. Thanks to GraphQL, the application retrieves exactly the data it needs through targeted queries, which prevents unnecessary network traffic. Combined with Nuxt’s server-side rendering (SSR), this results in a website that loads lightning-fast, offers a better mobile experience, and complies with WCAG guidelines. This performance improvement is also crucial for achieving top rankings in both traditional and AI-powered search engines. The existing advisor environment and customer portal remained in use. The existing API integrations were improved and made more robust, ensuring that up-to-date data—such as interest rates and mortgage calculations—is displayed reliably and automatically in the correct locations.
A website that lives up to expectations.
The fact that the entire process went smoothly is partly because Cube and Shock Media have been familiar with each other’s technology for years and are on the same page when it comes to problem-solving. As a result, development, infrastructure, and security teams worked closely together. Vista now has a platform built on an even more secure foundation, one that’s faster, more user-friendly, and has a modern look. It has a recognizable, distinctive identity within Rabobank, with separate workspaces for advisors and customers alike. The foundation is in place, the look is fresh, and the collaboration has just begun. Vista and Cube are continuing to build, just as a website for a mortgage lender should be: never truly finished.
Our team. Or well, actually, the team of Vista Hypotheken
With her down-to-earth approach and a wealth of technical knowledge, Marleen makes every project a success. As a driven Project Manager, she continuously helps Team Octagon move forward.
With her down-to-earth approach and a wealth of technical knowledge, Marleen makes every project a success. As a driven Project Manager, she continuously helps Team Octagon move forward.
With a passion for imparting his expertise to colleagues and clients, Remi is known within Cube as the team's mentor - or as many call him: 'the Padre'.
With a passion for imparting his expertise to colleagues and clients, Remi is known within Cube as the team's mentor - or as many call him: 'the Padre'.
Think of speed? Then you think of Tom! Whether it's fast cars or racing on the go-kart track - as long as it goes fast. So the innovative technology in this industry suits him perfectly.
Think of speed? Then you think of Tom! Whether it's fast cars or racing on the go-kart track - as long as it goes fast. So the innovative technology in this industry suits him perfectly.
With his vast knowledge and perseverance, he knows how to solve complex issues, while always being committed and pragmatic. We are happy to have someone like Dennis on our team.
With his vast knowledge and perseverance, he knows how to solve complex issues, while always being committed and pragmatic. We are happy to have someone like Dennis on our team.
As fanatical as Jarno is in the gym and on the tennis court, he is also committed within Cube. His strength? Thinking along with clients' business and getting to the heart of business processes.
As fanatical as Jarno is in the gym and on the tennis court, he is also committed within Cube. His strength? Thinking along with clients' business and getting to the heart of business processes.
A creative and curious professional with a passion for design and FC Twente. Cheerful, enthusiastic and always up for a good conversation, she brings both atmosphere and quality to her work.
A creative and curious professional with a passion for design and FC Twente. Cheerful, enthusiastic and always up for a good conversation, she brings both atmosphere and quality to her work.
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