Velera – formerly PSCU/Co-op Solutions, the nation’s premier payments credit union service organization (CUSO) and an integrated financial technology solutions provider – today announced a new partnership with Early Warning Services, LLC, the company behind Zelle®. The partnership is specifically designed for Minority Depository Institution (MDI) credit unions and will provide them with expanded opportunity to join the Zelle network, empowering them with access to the same real-time payment solutions offered by larger institutions while upholding their mission of serving their communities. “If credit unions are not offering Zelle, their members are likely to look elsewhere for the convenience of a P2P payments offering,” said Amy Evans, SVP, Strategic Solutions at Velera. “It is clear consumers appreciate the convenience, ease and reliability of Zelle – three key drivers of consumer payment preferences. With interest in P2P payments only continuing to increase, it is more important than ever for credit unions to offer these types of payments solutions to their members. This partnership between Velera and Early Warning Services is just one way in which Velera is enabling credit unions to provide their members with the tools and services they want and expect from their trusted financial partners.” Many community banks and credits unions are increasingly making Zelle available to their members. In fact, 95% of financial institutions in the U.S. that offer Zelle are community banks and credit unions. Velera’s partnership with Early Warning represents a meaningful opportunity to bring a reliable, trusted and convenient service to more Americans. Zelle is not just a tool for the big banks. It’s powering real-time payments for community banks and credit unions nationwide — from rural towns to urban neighborhoods,” said Denise Leonhard, general manager of Zelle. “ Velera provides its credit unions with easy access to Zelle implementation and integration. This includes a seamless, branded member experience via the credit union’s mobile app, data-driven technology for real-time identification of bad actors, and detailed reporting on enrollment, transactions and engagement.