Cover for the Credit Union Innovation Readiness Index, January 2026, a PYMNTS Intelligence and Velera collaboration

Credit Unions Turn to FinTechs to Fast Track Digital Upgrades

Credit Union Innovation Readiness: How Credit Unions and FinTechs Are Innovating Together

Credit union innovation is accelerating. PYMNTS Intelligence, in collaboration with Velera, examines how partnerships are reshaping speed, scale and expectations in “Credit Union Innovation Readiness: How Credit Unions and FinTechs Are Innovating Together.”Based on surveys of 500 credit union executives and 100 FinTechs conducted in late 2025, the report reveals why collaboration is now foundational. Download your copy now

Inside the January 2026 Index

  • Partners are now central to innovation. Fifty-six percent of credit unions say outside partners help them innovate much faster or at a larger scale than they could on their own.
  • Most partnerships focus on upgrades, not brand-new launches. Credit unions most often work with FinTechs to add features to existing products and expand service channels.
  • Timelines and results don’t look the same to both sides. Seventy-seven percent of credit unions say their last project took longer than planned, while just 22% of FinTechs say the timeline was met. Credit unions are also more likely than FinTechs to say the partnership already delivers the results they expected.

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