Thinkwise Launches Zelle®, Becoming First MDI Credit Union in Velera-Zelle Access Initiative

NEW YORK, NY/TAMPA, FL – Velera, the nation’s premier payments credit union service organization (CUSO) and an integrated financial technology solutions provider, and Zelle® today announced that Thinkwise Federal Credit Union (Thinkwise) is the first Minority Depository Institution (MDI) credit union to offer Zelle through the recently launched joint program designed to expand access to the popular person-to-person (P2P) payment service to MDI credit unions.

“Launching Zelle through Velera is an important step in our ongoing digital transformation,” said Heri Garcia, president and CEO of Thinkwise. “This partnership allows us to offer members a fast, reliable way to send and receive money while continuing to deliver the trusted, personalized service that has defined Thinkwise for more than seven decades."

Thinkwise selected Velera for its experience integrating Zelle and its alignment with credit union values, enabling a streamlined implementation that built on an existing operational relationship through participation in Velera’s Co-op Shared Branch network.

“Credit unions have long led with trust and community values, and access to modern, reliable payment tools is an important part of serving members today,” said Amy Evans, SVP, Strategic Solutions at Velera. “We’re honored to support Thinkwise through our partnership with Zelle, marking an important milestone in expanding modern P2P payment options for MDI credit unions and the communities they serve.”

Founded in 1952 as San Bernardino School Employees Federal Credit Union, Thinkwise serves more than 6,000 members and holds approximately $119 million in assets, with a longstanding commitment to cooperation, financial stewardship and community service.

“Expanding access to Zelle for MDI credit unions supports the vital role these institutions play in their communities,” said Denise Leonhard, general manager of Zelle. “Our partnership with Velera helps make that access possible for credit unions like Thinkwise.”

P2P payments continue to grow in importance. According to Velera’s 2025 Eye on Payments study, 74% of consumers use P2P payments at least periodically, with more than one-third of Gen Z and Millennials relying on them as a primary payment method.

Velera began providing Zelle services to Thinkwise in November 2025 as part of its partnership with Zelle, which launched in April 2025 to help expand credit union access to Zelle.

Today, more than 2,300 financial institutions offer Zelle to their customers and members, 95% of which are community banks and credit unions. Zelle is available from financial institutions of all sizes across all 50 states and today helps American consumers and small businesses send over $1 trillion annually.

Velera provides its credit unions with a simplified path to Zelle adoption, including seamless, branded integration via the credit union’s mobile app, real-time fraud detection tools and detailed reporting that supports enrollment, transaction monitoring and member engagement.

For more information on Zelle implementation for credit unions, visit velera.com/zelle-for-credit-unions. To learn more about MDI credit unions and the work the industry, Velera and Zelle are doing to support them, read this Velera blog.
 

About Velera

Velera is the nation’s premier payments credit union service organization (CUSO) and an integrated financial technology solutions provider. With over four decades of industry experience and a commitment to service excellence and innovation, the company serves more than 4,000 financial institutions throughout North America, operating with velocity to help its clients keep pace with the rapid momentum of change and fuel growth in the new era of financial services. Velera leverages its expertise and resources on behalf of credit unions and their members, offering an end-to-end product portfolio that includes payment processing, fraud and risk management, data and analytics, digital banking, instant payments, strategic consulting, collections, ATM and POS networks, shared branching and 24/7/365 member support via its contact centers. For more information, visit velera.com.
 

About Zelle®

Zelle® powers fast, reliable person-to-person digital payments, moving more than $1 trillion between millions of consumer and small business accounts at United States banks and credit unions. Available through a network of more than 2,300 financial institutions, Zelle® enables people to send and receive money directly – without cash, checks or third-party apps. Zelle® is owned and operated by Early Warning Services, LLC, which works with America’s banks, credit unions and government agencies to drive prosperity, deliver bold innovation and improve how payments are made. Learn more at www.zelle.com.
 

Media Contacts

Velera
Peyton Burgess
French/West/Vaughan
919.277.1168
velera@fwv-us.com

Zelle
Eric Blankenbaker
eric.blankenbaker@earlywarning.com
929.745.0923