How Flourish Fi Can Enable Credit Union Differentiation

Day 1: Venture Tech Conference

As I made way from the rolling hills of Sonoma County to the large Texans highways in Dallas for Venture Tech, I can’t contain myself from the building excitement of collaborating with Credit Union leaders. Our mission, at Flourish Fi ’s, is to empower all people to build positive money habits and that is being done by enabling financial institutions to create rewarding, accessible and personalized journeys for their members. In over 5 countries, credit unions and other financial institutions are leveraging the Flourish platform to drive key loyalty and key business metrics: from large traditional institutions like Santander and Carrefour Bank to CDFI responsible lender Tricolor and emerging fintechs like Gabriel Money that supports the underserved consumers build credit history.?

Strong Mission-alignment with Credit Unions

The mission alignment between Flourish Fi and credit unions is crystal clear. However, to bring credit unions the same results that fintechs, card issuers, lenders, and micro-finance institutions across the Americas are experiencing with Flourish Fi, there is still important work to be done. In this industry, trust and relationships are paramount, as is a willingness to take risks that drive meaningful change. So as I made my way to VentureTech, the premier fintech showcase event for the entire credit union industry, to represent how our work leads to better member engagement and their financial wellbeing, I was looking forward to building meaningful relationships with credit union leaders as well as with CUSO’s, leagues and venture groups focused on credit unions.?

In addition to Flourish Fi being in the competition for Best in Show at Venture Tech, we were an official supporter of the Silvur's Pickle Baller Invitational where I played alongside Taylor Bailey from ATTUNE . This event was more than just a game; it brought the fintech and credit union community together in a spirit of friendly competition and camaraderie. Huge shoutout to Michael Perrin ( Curql ) and Rowan M. Hume ( gener8tor ) for taking the trophy home for the second time!?

As I shared on Kristopher Kovacs ' podcast ( The Fintech Combine Podcast ) leading up to the conference, I am very much excited to evangelize the work Flourish Fi is doing in leveraging behavioral science and personalized incentives to have better business outcomes while driving the financial health members. However, what I am most excited about this week is building a strong community and collaboration ecosystem between fintechs and credit union leaders to drive a positive lasting impact in the industry.?

Quantifiable Impact on Helping Members Flourish

The Flourish Fi platform is proving to be a powerful tool in driving member engagement and positive financial behaviors. In a recent study by Simon Blanchard of Georgetown University and Mike Palazzolo of UC Davis, our long-term collaboration with Prof. Simon Blanchard enabled a natural experiment with striking results: when a bank’s gamification module was disabled for 50 days, users experienced a 20% reduction in app logins, an 18% drop in free bill payments, and a 31% decline in on-time loan repayments. These outcomes highlight the platform’s essential role in motivating consistent financial behaviors—especially transactional actions like bill payments and loan repayments, which can require ongoing incentives to sustain. By fostering habit formation, Flourish Fi is not only improving member engagement but also strengthening financial health across the board.

Trust, Relationship and Risk-Taking

In a world where financial challenges evolve daily, credit unions stand out as trusted pillars of community resilience. At Flourish Fi, we recognize that achieving meaningful change requires more than technology alone—it demands a foundation of trust, a commitment to lasting relationships, and a willingness to embrace calculated risks that drive progress. As we engage with leaders at Venture Tech this week, our aim is not just to showcase our platform's potential but to forge partnerships rooted in shared values.?

Together, we can harness innovation to deepen member loyalty, elevate financial wellbeing, and chart a bold path forward. With Flourish Fi and credit unions working hand in hand, we have the opportunity to build a future where every member thrives.

#togetherWeFlourish