In financial services, innovation often moves faster than trust. Fintechs are known for their agility, while credit unions are recognized for their relationships—and increasingly, success depends on the two finding common ground. Yet building that bridge isn’t always simple. Between due diligence, integration complexity, and differing risk appetites, too many promising partnerships stall before they start.
Credit unions, in particular, are facing vendor fatigue—an influx of new technologies, demos, and integration pitches that can overwhelm already stretched resources. Even the most innovative teams are asking how to differentiate between true partnership opportunities and one-off product pushes.
That’s beginning to change.
As credit unions accelerate digital transformation, they’re seeking ways to innovate confidently—adopting new technology without compromising compliance, security, or member trust. At the same time, fintechs are eager to serve the credit union market but often face a steep learning curve, including navigating the Symitar® core, building for Banno, and aligning with a credit union’s operational realities.
The opportunity lies not just in technology, but in collaboration.
A Shared Challenge, A Shared Opportunity
Credit unions are built on collaboration—formed around the idea that collective strength delivers greater member value. Fintechs share that same spirit of innovation, but their startup pace can sometimes clash with the careful, compliance-driven culture of credit unions. The challenge isn’t motivation; it’s finding a structure that allows both to succeed.
That’s the thinking behind the MDT Partner Program—forming a network of trusted fintech providers to help simplify how credit unions discover, evaluate, and implement new technology. More than a vendor list, the Partner Program is a curated ecosystem connecting credit unions to solutions that range from early-stage offerings with strong market potential to fintech partners aligned with MDT’s infrastructure, security expectations, and operational standards.
Building on that foundation, MDT, the largest credit union service organization (CUSO) supporting and hosting the Symitar platform, provides fintechs with a trusted runway to build and launch within a credit union-ready environment. This, in turn, gives credit unions a faster, more secure path to adopting innovations that align with their goals, compliance standards, and member experience.
“Credit unions want innovation that’s reliable and relevant,” says Eric Gubka, Strategic Partnerships Manager at MDT. “Fintechs want access and adoption. The MDT Partner Program bridges that gap—it gives both sides a faster, safer path to progress.”
A Curated Path to Innovation
The MDT Partner Program builds on MDT’s long-standing foundation of integration and service. It’s not just a resource—it’s a structured partnership model that accelerates the transition from integration to adoption.
For fintechs, it provides a faster, safer path to connect with credit unions powered by Symitar and Banno, backed by MDT’s 20+ years of hosting, integration, and security expertise. For credit unions, it delivers access to a curated selection of innovative solutions that are already compatible with MDT’s infrastructure—reducing implementation risks and accelerating time to value.
Premier Partners work directly with MDT’s Strategic Partnerships Manager, who helps align solutions with real credit union operations, identifies opportunities, and ensures the technology fits the member experience. Credit unions benefit by gaining access to proven solutions that will help them improve the member and/or employee experience.
In short, the program helps credit unions adopt innovation responsibly, preserving the trust and security their members expect while expanding what’s possible.
Built on Credibility and Connection
In today’s market, credibility is the currency of innovation. Credit unions can’t afford to gamble on untested technology, and fintechs can’t scale without trust. That’s where MDT’s CUSO model changes the equation.
With more than 115 credit unions, over 130 vendor integrations, and serving more than two million members, MDT acts as a bridge that transforms curiosity into confidence. Credit unions gain access to a pool of fintechs already aligned with MDT’s hosting, data, and compliance standards—including solutions built for Symitar integration, Banno extensions, and secure cloud environments.
“Being a CUSO means our credibility is shared,” explains Gubka. “When we open the door for a partner, it’s not just an introduction—it’s a recommendation grounded in decades of trust. Our credit unions know that if a fintech is a partner, they’re there because they will help credit unions compete and stay relevant.”
This built-in credibility means credit unions can innovate with less friction, knowing that partners in our ecosystem have been evaluated through an MDT’s due diligence lens and that they love credit unions as much as we do!
Collaboration That Scales
The MDT Partner Program’s structure is designed to meet fintechs—and credit unions—where they are in their innovation journey.
- Emerging Solutions: Ideal for fintechs without an existing MDT client connection. These are early-stage offerings that show strong potential and are being introduced to credit unions for initial awareness and exploration. Credit unions benefit from the opportunity to learn about new, promising technologies and even participate in early implementation. The goal is to foster successful client adoptions that help these solutions mature and eventually progress to the Premier Partner level.
- Premier Partners: Built for fintechs already working with MDT clients, this tier expands collaboration. Credit unions gain deeper access to established solutions showcased in MDT’s ecosystem, roadmap updates, and at the MDT E3 Conference—where many partnerships begin to take shape.
- Strategic Alliances: Reserved for invitation-only relationships, partners are woven directly into MDT’s delivery and innovation roadmap. This partner designation allows MDT to bring the full strength of its cooperative client base to the table—helping shape, refine, and scale solutions that reflect real credit union needs. Credit unions benefit by having early influence on the next generation of technology, with access to offerings developed and supported through broad, community-driven input.
For financial institutions, this structure means choice without complexity—a transparent, scalable way to explore innovation with clear guardrails and built-in trust.
Bridging Innovation with Real-World Impact
The line between fintech and financial institution is blurring. Increasingly, the most successful innovations come from co-creation—credit unions providing real-world insight and compliance discipline, while fintechs bring speed, creativity, and technical agility.
By formalizing that collaboration through the MDT Partner Program, both sides gain what they need most:
- Credit unions gain a trusted, scalable framework to adopt innovation confidently.
- Fintechs gain a guided, credible path to market.
- Members gain modern, secure, experience-driven solutions that enhance their daily financial lives.
This isn’t just about faster technology—it’s about sustainable innovation that strengthens relationships, enhances operations, and keeps members at the center of every advancement.
Looking Ahead
The launch of the MDT Partner Program represents more than a new initiative; it’s a commitment to reshaping how innovation flows through the credit union ecosystem.
“Technology will always evolve,” Gubka reflects, “but relationships are what make innovation sustainable. When credit unions and fintechs collaborate effectively, everyone—especially the member—wins.”
By providing fintechs and credit unions with a shared platform for collaboration, MDT is transforming trust into momentum—and innovation into tangible member impact.