PORTLAND, Ore.–This latest CU Shopper round-up of new product and service announcement by CU vendors includes investments in CUSOs, ATM management, loan pay solutions, and more, all in a quick, easy-to-read format.
Achieva Credit Union Invests in Payfinia
PORTLAND, Ore. —Payfinia has entered into a strategic partnership with Achieva Credit Union that includes the credit union’s investment in the Payfinia CUSO, the company said.
Payfinia said the collaboration is designed to accelerate payments innovation, deliver instant payment capabilities and expand fintech solutions within the credit union movement. Achieva, with $3 billion in assets and more than 200,000 members, will deploy Payfinia’s Instant Payment Xchange (IPX) platform to support real-time payments across consumer and business channels.
The IPX platform, built on an open architecture, will enable real-time loan disbursements through integrations with loan origination systems, streamline connectivity with fintech partners and unify fraud and risk management controls across payment workflows, according to Payfinia.
The company said the partnership will also allow Achieva to expand emerging payment options, including digital wallets such as Paze, QR code-based payments and enhancements to peer-to-peer services. Achieva is also targeting expanded instant payment capabilities for business members as demand for faster commercial payments grows.
Payfinia said the collaboration gives Achieva a role in guiding product roadmap decisions and market direction.
Key benefits cited by Payfinia include:
- Embedded digital payments within an open framework
- Unified fraud management across workflows
- Expanded fintech integrations and use cases
- Lower operational costs through instant payment rails
- Influence over Payfinia’s product roadmap and segmentation strategy
Capitol Credit Union Selects Dolphin Debit to Enter New Markets
HOUSTON — Dolphin Debit said its partnership with Capitol Credit Union is enabling the credit union to pursue a growth strategy focused on expanding into new markets without immediately building branches.
Capitol CU, based in Austin and focused largely on serving state government employees and other select employee groups, has worked with Dolphin Debit for seven years. The company said the credit union is now leveraging new capabilities in strategic ATM placement and off-premise depository units to reach high-density markets where it lacks a physical footprint.
With a fleet of 10 ATMs located at branches and additional sites across central Texas, Capitol CU is using the technology to test markets ahead of potential branch expansion. Dolphin Debit said integration with the credit union’s core system allows members to receive immediate credit for deposits, with overnight risk checks validating transactions.
The company also said it helped Capitol CU address logistical challenges, including deploying an ATM near the Texas state capitol, where vehicle access is restricted.
Dolphin Debit said it is continuing to assist Capitol CU in identifying new locations and markets to expand its presence.
Alkami Announces Winners of 2026 Fisionaries Awards
PLANO, Texas — Alkami Technology has announced the winners of its 2026 FIsionaries Awards and inaugural “For the MANTL” Awards, recognizing financial institutions and leaders advancing digital innovation and relationship banking, the company said.
Presented at Alkami Co:lab 2026, the FIsionaries Awards recognize organizations driving digital transformation across areas including data strategy, culture and user experience. The program is supported by the FIsionaries podcast hosted by Jim Marous.
FIsionaries Award winners:
- Transformational Culture: Mountain America Credit Union
- Data Strategy & Execution: Capital Credit Union
- User Experience: First Fidelity Bank
- Digital Transformation: NASA Federal Credit Union
The “For the MANTL” Awards recognize institutions and individuals achieving results using the MANTL Origination & Onboarding Platform.
“For the MANTL” Award winners include:
- Omnichannel Excellence: ConnectOne Bank
- Branch Modernization: Dupaco Credit Union
- The Architect Award: The Atlantic Federal Credit Union
- The Change Maker Award: Financial Plus Credit Union
- Time-to-Value Award: EagleBank
- Partner of the Year: Ascend Bank
- Rookie of the Year: Great Plains Bank
- The Onboarding Leadership Award: Mary McBride, Bank of Utah
- Legacy of Excellence Award: Quontic Bank
Alkami said the awards highlight institutions combining technology and customer engagement to deliver improved onboarding and banking experiences.
MDT Releases White Paper on Differentiation in Digital Banking
FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. — Member Driven Technologies (MDT) has released a whitepaper examining how credit unions can differentiate in an increasingly standardized digital banking environment, the company said.
The report, Extending the Digital Frontier, highlights MDT’s work with Embers Credit Union to customize the Banno digital banking platform through secure, scalable development.
MDT said the paper explores how credit unions can move beyond out-of-the-box solutions by building internal capabilities to experiment, iterate and deploy new digital services more quickly. The report also outlines the infrastructure required to support customization and the strategic importance of digital differentiation as competition intensifies.
The company said the effort reflects a broader shift in how credit unions approach innovation, emphasizing flexibility and speed over reliance on vendor roadmaps.
PECU Selects CheckAlt’s LoanPay Solution
NEW YORK — CheckAlt said PECU has selected its LoanPay solution to modernize loan payment workflows and improve borrower experience.
CheckAlt said PECU sought a more efficient way to support loan payments, particularly for indirect borrowers who need fast, simple payment options without logging into online banking. Previous processes required manual intervention and limited visibility into payment activity, according to the company.
By implementing LoanPay, PECU has automated workflows, reduced errors and expanded payment flexibility. Borrowers can make payments via ACH or card, including guest payment options without requiring login credentials.
Since deployment, PECU has reported measurable improvements, including reduced processing errors, time savings across departments and extended payment cutoff times by three hours, allowing borrowers to complete transactions later in the day.
CheckAlt said the platform also includes validation and reporting tools that improve reconciliation and visibility into payment activity.
myCUmortgage Adds 3 New CU Partners
BEAVERCREEK, Ohio — myCUmortgage has added three new credit union partners as it expands mortgage services, the company said.
The new partners—Fort Bragg Federal Credit Union, Park Community Credit Union and Soarion Federal Credit Union—represent more than 171,000 members and $2.6 billion in assets.
myCUmortgage, a wholly owned CUSO of Wright-Patt Credit Union, said it will provide comprehensive mortgage products, loan origination systems and servicing support to help the credit unions expand homeownership opportunities for members.
The company said it now serves approximately 200 credit union partners nationwide, offering guidance and infrastructure to support mortgage lending programs.
St. Louis Community CU Highlights Partnership With Starlight
ST. LOUIS — St. Louis Community Credit Union highlighted its partnership with Starlight in its 2025 annual impact report, the organizations said.
The report found that 275 members identified $4.1 million in financial assistance programs during the first year of the partnership, averaging approximately $15,000 per member. Assistance included food programs, medical coverage, utility relief, childcare support and tax credits.
The credit union said the platform is embedded into its member experience, helping individuals access benefits they may already qualify for while addressing immediate financial challenges such as food insecurity or utility shutoffs.
Ncontracts Launches Nquiry Ntelligence
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Ncontracts has launched Nquiry Ntelligence, an artificial intelligence-powered compliance platform designed to deliver fast, auditable answers to regulatory questions, the company said.
Ncontracts said the platform is trained on 17 years of proprietary compliance data verified by regulators, attorneys and industry practitioners. It is designed to help financial institutions navigate complex requirements across federal and state regulations, SEC rules and agency guidance.
The platform includes a “Compliance Concierge” feature that provides access to credentialed compliance experts who can validate AI-generated responses, the company said.
BAFS Partners With Orlando CU to Grow Commercial Loans
MONROE, La. — Business Alliance Financial Services (BAFS) said its partnership with Orlando Credit Union has helped the credit union grow its commercial lending portfolio from zero to $150 million in two years.
BAFS said it provides end-to-end lending support, including loan analysis, documentation, compliance oversight and portfolio management, allowing Orlando CU to expand lending without overextending internal resources.
The company’s BLAST platform offers dashboards, compliance-informed workflows and real-time portfolio insights to support loan growth and operational efficiency.
BAFS said the partnership demonstrates how combining technology with advisory services can accelerate commercial lending growth for credit unions.
