The CU Shopper: A Look at Some of the Latest Vendor Decisions by CUs

ATHENS, Ga.–As part of an ongoing series of coverage, the CU Daily offers a round-up of the vendors and solutions credit unions are selecting, what’s new in the market, and more. Below is the latest update on offerings:

Vertica AI Joins Jack Henry’s VIP

ATHENS, Ga.–Vertice AI, a provider of AI-powered member growth solutions, said it has joined the Jack Henry Vendor Integration Program (VIP). 

According to the company, participation in the program will provide Vertice AI with access to Jack Henry’s technical resources to enable its platform to integrate with Symitar. The Vendor Integration Program is designed to help ensure that Jack Henry’s customers can easily deploy third-party products.

“The Vertice AI platform integrates with Symitar via a Custom Solutions integration that enables third-party access to the platform’s core data and business rules,” the company said. “These custom integrations are specifically crafted for the Vertice AI platform to achieve a universal integration approach that serves a broad array of financial institutions.”

“Credit unions have access to a wealth of member data, yet transforming this information into meaningful insights has remained a challenge,” Mitch Rutledge, CEO of Vertice AI, said in a statement. “Our platform takes complex data and creates precise, personalized engagement strategies that drive retention, increase wallet share, and build lasting member relationships. Participating in Jack Henry’s Vendor Integration Program makes it easier for credit unions to harness the full potential of their core data, enhance member engagement, and unlock new revenue opportunities while maintaining operational efficiency.”

In Alaska, One CU Says ‘Mahalo’

JUNEAU, Alaska– True North Federal Credit Union said it has selected Mahalo Banking to transform its digital banking experience. 

According to the company, after a thorough search, True North FCU chose Mahalo to elevate its digital banking experience and provide members with a seamless, user-friendly platform. Mahalo’s advanced fraud mitigation features—such as its Credential Assurance Technology (CAT)—offer an added layer of protection against credential-stuffing attacks. Its security-first approach aligns perfectly with the credit union’s commitment to delivering a dynamic, secure digital experience while proactively addressing emerging cyber threats.

“Mahalo offers both a product and a culture that align with our core values—security, innovation, and a member-first focus,” Lauren MacVay, President and CEO of True North FCU, said in a statement. “We are proud to work with a team that prioritizes high-quality service to the same degree that we value member service. Mahalo is more than a fintech provider, they understand what drives credit unions and actively work to help us better serve our members.”

Enhancing Service

Mahalo said its digital banking solution empowers True North FCU to enhance member services with built-in features that fully embrace Keystone’s “more in the core” philosophy. True North FCU benefits from a deeply integrated solution where Mahalo serves these features natively within digital banking—eliminating the need for third-party vendors. 

Additionally, Mahalo said its donations module aligns with the credit union’s mission to support Alaskan communities, enabling members to contribute directly to charitable causes through the platform.

Savings in Plinqit Product Surpass $3 Billion 

ANN ARBOR, Mich.—Plinqit, a provider of high-yield and automated savings solutions, is reporting that deposits generated through its High Yield Savings product have surpassed $3 billion. 

The company has also launched a refreshed website.

By offering a turnkey, white-label digital savings solution, Plinqit said it enables financial institutions to tap into new market segments, drive engagement, and compete effectively without significant infrastructure investments.

“Our mission is to empower financial institutions with innovative technology that makes growing deposits easier, more efficient, and honestly more effective,” Founder and CEO Kathleen Craig said in a statement. “Helping our clients generate more than $3 billion in deposits in just over a year is a testament to the impact of our High Yield Savings product. And now with an FI-focused website, we’re making it even easier for banks to explore how they can leverage Plinqit to scale deposit growth and build lasting customer relationships.”

On average, Plinqit reported that depositors maintain a balance exceeding $40,000, demonstrating strong engagement and trust in the platform. With a track record of delivering proven deposit growth strategies, Plinqit is well-positioned to support financial institutions in meeting evolving consumer expectations and strengthening their competitive edge.

Site Redesign

Meanwhile, the company said the redesigned website offers an improved user experience with detailed insights into Plinqit’s high-yield savings offerings, use cases for personas that banks want to target, and case studies highlighting real-world implementations.

Virginia Credit Union Expanding Partnership With Blend

SAN FRANCISCO–Virginia Credit Union is reporting it is expanding its partnership with Blend, a provider of digital banking solutions.  

According to the company, building on four years of mortgage success  with Blend, VACU has expanded to deploy Blend’s full Consumer Banking suite, “creating a unified digital application system for deposit accounts, credit cards, and consumer loans. This strategic move streamlines the application process, delivering a consistent, intuitive experience for both members and loan teams across all product lines,” the company said.

“With Blend, we saw an opportunity to break free of siloed, individual applications and to create a digital application ecosystem for consumer loans, mortgages, memberships, deposit accounts — all of it,” Frank Macrina, SVP-products and channels at VACU said in a statement. “With Blend, we’ve achieved that, providing our members with a consistent and familiar experience.”

‘Committed to Innovation’

In its statement, the company said that in addition to seeking a unified solution, VACU wanted a partner committed to continuous innovation—one that could adapt and evolve amidst rapid industry changes. Blend’s flexible platform, powered by pre-built core integrations and an extensive partner network  enabled VACU to customize its approach and stand out from other credit unions and competitors.

Appli Offering ‘Market-Disrupting’ Pricing for Smaller CUs

SALT LAKE CITY–Appli, which provides an AI-powered smart financial calculator, said it is offering a “market-disrupting pricing initiative” designed specifically for credit unions under $250 million in assets. 

“In order to stay relevant in today’s market, small credit unions must do something drastic,” CEO Tim Pranger said in a statement. “We’re making our AI-powered financial calculator with personalized lending insights available to smaller institutions that previously couldn’t afford this technology. This isn’t just about growing our business—it’s about ensuring these vital community institutions can effectively serve their members when technology expectations keep rising.”

The company said it will provide qualifying credit unions with Appli’s core AI-powered financial calculator technology that has been proven to increase loan application conversions by guiding members through pre-qualification processes. 

“The technology gives potential borrowers a clear understanding of their options before committing to a full application, addressing uncertainty and fear of rejection that often prevents qualified borrowers from applying,” Appli said.

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