From Rivals to Partners: The Rise of Credit Union-FinTech Collaboration

Once upon a time, credit unions (CUs) and FinTechs eyed each other warily. However, rising demand for mobile banking and digital payments has started to turn former competitors into strategic partners. Nearly all FinTechs now serving credit unions identify as vendors, not rivals — a shift driven by member engagement needs and CUs’ openness to innovation. As onboarding barriers drop and vendor-client relationships mature, this collaboration model signals more than convenience. It reflects a structural realignment in how CUs access technology...