Today, Prime Financial Credit Union (PFCU) is proud to announce the launch of FlexPay Plans. This member-centered "Buy Now, Pay Later" (BNPL) solution is designed to bridge the gap between their immediate needs and their long-term financial health, providing a stable, credit-union-backed alternative to high-interest debt.

As a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), PFCU’s commitment has always been to expand access to fair and affordable financial tools. FlexPay Plans foster the continued growth of this mission in the digital space, allowing members to split purchases into predictable, low-cost installments directly through their existing PFCU checking accounts and debit cards.

“Our mission is to remove barriers to financial opportunities,” said Christine Moczynski, President & CEO of Prime Financial Credit Union. “With FlexPay Plans, we aren’t just offering a new way to pay; we’re offering members a way to stay in control. Because this is a no-credit-check solution based on your relationship with us, we are able to provide access to those who might be excluded by traditional lending, ensuring our members have a responsible tool that supports their budget, rather than stretching it.”

How FlexPay Plans Prioritize Members:

• Relationship-Based Access: Unlike traditional loans, FlexPay Plans do not require a credit check. Eligibility is based purely on the member’s transaction history and relationship with PFCU, making financial flexibility more inclusive for the entire community.
• Predictable Budgeting: Members can choose to be refunded for past qualifying purchases and repay them on an installment plan, or “prefund” their checking account for peace of mind before even heading to the checkout.
• Built-In Accessibility: PFCU has made personalized, pre-qualified FlexPay offers visible within the PFCU mobile app 24/7. This allows members to see their options and make informed decisions before they spend, day or night.
• Mission-Aligned Technology: When using FlexPay Plans, it’s easy to see all plans in one spot, reducing financial noise and unexpected payment due dates.

To power the technology behind FlexPay Plans, PFCU has partnered with equipifi, a leading BNPL platform for financial institutions.

“Prime Financial Credit Union is demonstrating how BNPL can be delivered responsibly by an institution through its existing products and capabilities," said Bryce Deeney, Founder and CEO of equipifi. “By offering financial flexibility designed around member needs and for their financial wellness, Prime Financial is strengthening its communities by meeting them where they are.”

The introduction of FlexPay Plans reinforces PFCU’s founding principle: providing affordable and sound financial services to those who need them most. We invite our members to explore this new tool as part of our ongoing promise to build a stronger financial future together.

​Synergent® has entered into a ten-year hosted Jack Henry™ Symitar® core processing agreement with Ocean State Credit Union. The credit union also signed five-year agreements for integrated managed services, including debit card services, check processing, statement processing, and check printing.

After recently celebrating its 75th anniversary, Ocean State Credit Union is investing in a fully integrated technology and service model to support its long-term growth and member service strategy. The new partnership with Synergent aligns with the credit union’s focus on community empowerment and operational strength.
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“As we reflect on 75 years of serving our members, we are very excited to partner with Synergent to provide our core operating system,” said Michael Garvey, CEO of Ocean State Credit Union. “Our mission to provide exemplary service and meet our members’ financial needs will be strengthened through this relationship. Synergent has a long history of reliable and trustworthy service to the credit union industry, and we are proud to partner with them as we look ahead to the next 75 years.”
 
This agreement supports Ocean State Credit Union’s continued expansion, including the recent opening of its flagship branch in Providence's Financial District. The new location reinforces the credit union’s commitment to serving members in the heart of Rhode Island’s business community.
 
“We are proud to support Ocean State Credit Union as they move forward with this exciting next chapter,” said Tyler Hudson, President of Synergent. “Their commitment to their members and their community is inspiring. We look forward to providing the core and integrated services that will allow their team to operate efficiently and stay focused on serving their members as they grow.”
 
Headquartered in Coventry, Rhode Island, Ocean State Credit Union has 21,971 members and holds over $341 million in assets. Its field of membership is open to individuals who live, work, worship, or attend school in Rhode Island, as well as immediate family members of current members.

​ProBridge, a wholly owned subsidiary of Trellance Cooperative Holdings, Inc., today announced their latest solution for credit unions looking to tackle multiple projects under a tight budget: ProBridge Flex.
 
ProBridge Flex is a bundled services model that gives credit unions flexible access to up to four specialized experts under one contract at a consistent, monthly cost – often less expensive than hiring a single expert as a full-time employee. This solution is ideal for credit unions with multiple ongoing and/or new projects competing for attention, but with a budget that does not allow for the hiring of multiple employees with the required expertise.
 
Here’s how ProBridge Flex works:

• Credit unions get a customized resource plan. A tailored plan is built around two to four resources that will partner with a credit union on a rotating schedule for the duration of the contract.
• The contract terms are flexible. Contract durations can be from six months to multi-year, depending on credit union need.
• ProBridge will build a rotational resource schedule. Experts rotate in predefined intervals (weekly or monthly), each with a guaranteed minimum commitment. Example: Month 1–2: Cloud Architect; Month 3: DBA; Month 4-6: Software Engineer.
• Credit unions get access to a dedicated engagement manager. An engagement manager partners with the credit union to coordinate resources, manage assignments and ensure satisfaction with the work delivered.

“Credit unions often face competing priorities in managing critical projects, as they don’t always have the budget to support the talent required for that work,” said Asha Connors, Executive Director at ProBridge. “ProBridge Flex allows us to help credit unions get more done with less. We can provide them access to the experts they need, so they may get all their work done without stretching or breaking budgets. This is just another level of our commitment to helping our credit union partners succeed.”
 
ProBridge Flex is now available to anyone seeking varied skillsets on a part-time rotational basis. Visit ProBridgeServices.com to learn more or contact us to begin building your Flex talent plan today.

First Community Trust, N.A. (FCT), a nationally chartered trust company, has partnered with Members Community Credit Union in Muscatine to expand access to wealth management services for its members. As part of the relationship, FCT Insurance, an affiliated insurance agency, will also offer insurance solutions.

Through the partnership, members will have local access to expert investment management, retirement and estate planning, and trust administration through FCT, along with annuities, life, Medicare, disability, and long-term care insurance offered by FCT Insurance.

“Partnering with First Community Trust allows us to provide a truly holistic financial experience for our members,” said Members Community Credit Union CEO, Tim Chapman. “By bringing FCT’s expertise directly to our credit union, we are ensuring members have access to the trusted advice they need to grow their assets and plan for their financial futures, all in one place.”

FCT has established 18 credit union partnerships across Iowa, serving clients in western, central and eastern regions as well as western Illinois. The partnership with FCT and FCT Insurance empowers credit unions to enhance their member service capabilities, delivering a more personalized and comprehensive financial experience.

Leading these efforts are Wealth Advisor and Trust Officer Blake Randel and Insurance Agent Quinlan Riser, MBA, CLU®, ChFC®, who provide a unified approach to financial planning. Blake brings over 15 years of experience in investment and trust strategies, while Quinlan offers more than a decade of expertise in insurance solutions.

“FCT is focused on guiding Iowans as they navigate key financial milestones,” said FCT’s Chief Executive Officer, Adam Claypool. “We’re thrilled to broaden our impact through this collaborative partnership. Together, we are equipping members with the expert advice and protective tools they need to make informed choices and achieve long-term financial security.”

For more information, please visit https://fctrust.com/.

​Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC) has submitted four comment letters to the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) in response to the agency’s second round of proposed regulatory changes under its ongoing Deregulation Project. DCUC expressed support for all four proposed rulemakings, noting the importance of modernizing and streamlining regulations for federally insured credit unions.
 
In its letter regarding the proposed removal of segregated deposit and collateral requirements when a federally insured credit union acts as a surety or guarantor, DCUC endorsed the NCUA’s principles-based supervisory approach. DCUC voiced that aligning these requirements with the agency’s commercial lending framework adopted in 2016 would reduce unnecessary complexity and better reflect the operational realities of credit unions.
 
DCUC also supported the NCUA’s proposal to eliminate § 701.25b, which currently imposes separate approval and documentation requirements for loans made to other credit unions. DCUC stated that these additional requirements are duplicative and unnecessary, and affirmed that credit union boards are best positioned to determine appropriate approval policies within the framework of existing regulatory limits.
 
Regarding the proposed amendments to the Accuracy of Advertising and Notice of Insured Status rule, DCUC supported eliminating the standalone requirement that credit unions include a statement in advertisements that they are insured by the NCUA. DCUC explained that share insurance coverage is more effectively communicated through existing required disclosures at branches, principal places of business, and on credit union websites.
 
In its fourth letter, DCUC supported the NCUA’s proposal to amend catastrophic act reporting requirements by requiring notification to the “NCUA” rather than a specific regional director and extending the reporting timeframe from five business days to 15 calendar days. DCUC encouraged the agency to reinforce through guidance, outreach, and examiner communication the importance of notifying the agency as soon as possible within that timeframe. DCUC also expressed support for the optional use of online notification tools, such as the NCUA’s existing cybersecurity incident reporting form.
 
Across all four letters, DCUC commended the NCUA’s efforts to streamline and modernize its regulations and encouraged continued collaboration and engagement with the credit union industry throughout the Deregulation Project.
 
“DCUC strongly supports the NCUA’s efforts to modernize and streamline regulations in a way that reduces unnecessary burden while maintaining safety and soundness,” said Jason Stverak, DCUC Chief Advocacy Officer. “These proposed changes reflect a thoughtful, principles-based approach that recognizes credit unions are well-positioned to manage risk responsibly. We appreciate the agency’s continued engagement with the industry and look forward to working collaboratively throughout the Deregulation Project.”

IgniteFI’s Firecracker Fintech Showcase returned on February 11 with a focused theme: financial wellness solutions already in market and ready for credit union adoption.

Hosted in partnership with CAFE (Center for Accelerating Financial Equity), the fast- paced virtual event featured six Fintech innovators delivering live demos to credit union leaders seeking practical tools to better serve their members and communities.

Four of the presenting Fintechs were participants in CAFE’s Accelerator program, showcasing solutions focused on advancing financial equity and delivering measurable outcomes for credit unions and their members. The remaining two were innovative Fintechs entering or expanding within the credit union market.

Each Fintech had just seven minutes to demo, followed by live Q&A—giving attendees direct insight into solutions designed to create measurable impact.

Kredit Academy was awarded “Best of Show,” voted by attendees, for its gamified credit learning platform that helps members build responsible credit habits through interactive, behavior-based education. The platform turns financial literacy into measurable action—supporting stronger credit profiles, improved borrowing decisions, and deeper member engagement.

“Many financial wellness programs focus on savings and spending habits,” said Julie Esser, CEO & Founder of IgniteFI. “Kredit Academy stands out because they focus on teaching the responsible use of credit—an area that directly impacts a member’s long-term financial opportunity. Credit education is often overlooked, yet it plays a defining role in financial mobility. Their approach gives credit unions a practical way to address that gap.”

Kredit Academy’s solution helps members understand credit scores, borrowing behavior, and repayment strategies through engaging, gamified modules designed to reinforce positive habits over time.

“We believe financial education should lead to real behavior change,” said Evan Leaphart, CEO of Kredit Academy. “Winning Best of Show reinforces our commitment to helping credit unions equip members with the knowledge and confidence to use credit responsibly and build lasting financial stability.”

The presenting Fintechs included:

• SPARE – Cash Access, Locally Powered
• Kredit Academy – Gamified Credit Learning Tools
• GoodTrust – Smart Estate Planning
• VroomBrick – Affordable Homebuying Made Simple
• Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. – AI Compliance & Cybersecurity Protection
• IgniteFI’s IgniteIQ – Interactive Intelligence Platform

Attendees praised the Showcase’s concise, demo-driven format and its focus on practical solutions ready for credit union adoption.

As “Best of Show,” Kredit Academy will be featured at the next Firecracker Fintech Showcase, giving credit unions a deeper look at how gamified credit education can strengthen financial wellness strategies and member relationships.

Credit unions interested in learning more about future Showcases or exploring participating solutions can visit www.ignitefi.com or contact [email protected].