SANTA ROSA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Union Credit, the first marketplace for credit unions to make firm, one-click credit offers at the point of purchase, wins 2023 Finovate award for Top Emerging Fintech Company. This award is given to a fintech startup two years old or younger that is most likely to become the next fintech unicorn.
Union Credit was selected for its pioneering marketplace for credit unions, enabling them to provide millions of consumers with the benefit of ongoing, firm credit approval and the convenience to activate personalized loan offers with just a couple clicks.
The startup’s embedded fintech strategy and partnerships with various digital merchants, including Way.com, Bankrate, AmOne, and other notable and nationally recognized publishers, places credit unions in front of 200 million plus consumers nationwide as they shop. Credit unions can extend their supreme customer service and earned community trust to consumers outside of their traditional markets, reaching new audiences to ultimately bring in the next generation of members, increase loan volume and compete with fintechs and bigger financial institutions in their communities. Merchants that embed Union Credit’s solution into their online services benefit from providing their customers with local, competitive, and advantageous offers at the point-of-sale.
Earlier this year, the company partnered with TransUnion as their data provider of choice to ensure lenders can intelligently assess borrower risk and provide consumers with accurate and relevant loan offers, interest rates, and repayment terms. Union Credit also formed a key partnership with Zest.ai, to allow credit unions to leverage the Zest model to extend fairer and more inclusive credit access to all consumers.
Forward-thinking credit unions of all sizes, including America’s Credit Union, Teachers Federal Credit Union, Jovia Financial Credit Union, and more, are already participating in the marketplace. These credit unions can express their empathy for consumers’ unique financial situations by responsibly granting relevant and competitive, already approved, product options that match their needs and help them attain financial wellness.
Dave Buerger, CEO of Union Credit, said “Union Credit’s co-founder, Barry Kirby, and I have each spent more than 20 years in the credit union space and are strong credit union advocates. This idea is very near and dear to us and we think it will strengthen the credit union movement and bring new members into the system. We are determined to stop credit unions from being the best kept secret in banking and enable consumers to access the funds they need within the transaction layer for various big-ticket items, like how BNPL companies embed payment options in the checkout process for smaller purchases. It’s an honor to win this award as we want to become the provider of this type of seamless lending experience that is surprisingly not yet prevalent today.”
Union Credit is backed by TruStage Ventures, formerly CMFG Ventures, and supported by Marin Sonoma Impact Ventures (MSIV), Array, Way.com, and other strategic fintech influencers.
About Union Credit
Union Credit provides consumers with firm, one-click credit offers embedded within their daily activities. The marketplace helps credit unions break into new markets digitally with access to the front end of purchase and financing experiences. Merchants embedding Union Credit benefit from providing customers with local, competitive, and advantageous offers that are in the buyer’s best interest. Visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn to learn more.
