TAMPA, Fla.–From cash back reward programs to new mortgage POS offerings to leasing programs and more are included in this latest installment of the CU Daily’s CU Shopper, which features new product and service offerings as well as what credit unions are buying.
Suncoast CU Partners With Prizeout for Cashback Rewards
TAMPA, Fla. — Suncoast Credit Union has partnered with fintech firm Prizeout to offer a new payment option that allows members to earn brand-funded cashback rewards when making purchases directly from their credit union accounts.
According to the company, the product, called CashBack+ Pay, enables members to receive instant rewards from participating national and local merchants when they shop using linked checking or savings accounts. The program does not require enrollment fees and is accessible through a mobile app or browser extension that surfaces offers automatically at participating retailers.
Suncoast President and CEO Kevin Johnson said in a statement the initiative is designed to help members stretch their spending while supporting local businesses. Prizeout founder and CEO David Metz said the collaboration aims to deliver additional value to consumers while generating noninterest income opportunities for the credit union.
The platform provides digital gift-card-based rewards funded by merchants, which are redeemed at the time of purchase. Participating businesses gain visibility within the app and can use the program to attract repeat customers, the companies organizations said.
First Financial of Maryland FCU Selects Scienaptic AI
NEW YORK — Scienaptic AI said First Financial of Maryland Federal Credit Union has selected its platform to enhance credit decisioning as part of an effort to modernize lending operations and expand access to credit.
First Financial, founded in 1953 and based in Sparks Glencoe, Md., has more than $1.3 billion in assets and serves over 77,000 members. The credit union plans to use advanced analytics tools to support underwriting, improve consistency in loan evaluations and shorten decision times while maintaining human oversight and regulatory compliance, the company said.
CEO Eric Church said the technology will help the institution deliver faster, more consistent lending decisions aligned with its risk framework and member-focused mission. Scienaptic Chief Growth Officer Patrick McElhenie described the partnership as a “disciplined use of technology” to improve clarity and efficiency in credit evaluation.
The credit union said the initiative is intended to strengthen operational efficiency and support responsible financial inclusion.
Pennsylvania State Employees Takes Drive to CU Leasing of America
SAN DIEGO — Credit Union Leasing of America (CULA) announced a partnership with Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union (PSECU) to offer vehicle leasing to the credit union’s more than 545,000 members.
Through the program, PSECU members in Pennsylvania — with expansion planned for Ohio — will gain access to leasing options that include lower monthly payments, flexible terms and a network of participating dealerships. CULA said it will manage insurance, compliance and analytics functions tied to the leases.
CULA President Ken Sopp said rising vehicle costs are prompting consumers to consider alternatives to traditional auto loans, noting that average new-vehicle prices exceed $50,000. Industry data cited by the company show leasing interest increasing as affordability pressures reshape buyer behavior.
PSECU, which has more than $9 billion in assets, said the partnership allows it to diversify lending offerings while addressing members’ transportation costs. CULA currently supports leasing programs in 34 states and works with more than 40 credit unions.
Private Money Expanding Partnership With Edge Focus
TORRANCE, Calif. — Happy Money said it is expanding its partnership with private credit firm Edge Focus, adding a new capital channel to support growth in personal lending.
The collaboration builds on a relationship launched last year and is intended to help Happy Money extend loans to a broader range of qualified borrowers while improving marketing and operational efficiencies. The company said its Hive lending platform has contributed to faster credit decisions and increased monthly originations while maintaining asset performance.
Chief Capital Officer John Triggas said the partnership will help scale personal loans designed primarily to consolidate higher-interest credit card debt. Edge Focus Chief Revenue Officer Jeff Andrews said the firm views Happy Money as a reliable partner with consistent performance.
Happy Money said the expanded funding arrangement strengthens its diversified capital strategy as demand for personal loans and investor interest in the asset class grow.
CD Valet Selects William Mills Agency for PR, Marketing Support
ATLANTA — William Mills Agency has been selected to provide public relations and marketing support for CD Valet, a digital marketplace that connects consumers with certificate-of-deposit rates offered by community financial institutions.
CD Valet, launched by Seattle Bank, aims to increase visibility for smaller institutions that often offer competitive CD rates but lack national marketing reach. The platform allows banks and credit unions to promote deposit products to savers nationwide while helping consumers compare rates.
Mary Grace Roske, head of marketing and communications at CD Valet, said the partnership will help expand awareness of the marketplace and provide data-driven insights to financial institutions. William Mills Agency President Scott Mills said the platform delivers real-time CD market data to institutions and consumers.
The companies said the collaboration is intended to help community institutions attract deposits and compete digitally with larger banks.
Frankenmuth CU Selects Lüt for Digital Payment Platform
FRANKENMUTH, Mich. — Frankenmuth Credit Union has partnered with Fort Lauderdale-based Lüt to provide a digital payment platform tailored to licensed cannabis businesses in Michigan.
The closed-loop system, offered through the Envy cannabis banking program, allows merchants to accept payments outside traditional card networks with real-time settlement, reduced cash handling and integrated customer rewards. The service is designed to address operational and compliance challenges faced by cannabis-related businesses, the company said.
Lüt CEO Mike Andrud said the platform provides purpose-built infrastructure for a highly regulated sector, while Frankenmuth CEO Vickie Schmitzer said the partnership enables the credit union to support cannabis-business members with payment tools aligned with regulatory expectations.
The organizations said they plan to expand adoption and promote the service at participating retailers.
Nook Reports it is Expanding Ownership Opportunities
WAYZATA, Minn. — Nook, a credit union service organization and HubSpot solutions provider, said it is expanding ownership opportunities to additional credit unions as part of its growth strategy.
The company said the move responds to demand for cooperative control over digital infrastructure supporting marketing, sales, CRM and member engagement functions. Participating credit unions will be able to influence product development, gain early access to integrations and receive preferred pricing.
Founder and CEO Austin Wentzlaff said the initiative reflects Nook’s goal of building technology “with credit unions, not simply sold to them.” The company’s platform includes a proprietary data connector designed to integrate core systems with HubSpot while keeping member data within the credit union’s environment.
Nook said it plans to use new investment to expand integrations, product development and customer support capabilities.
