SCOTTSDALE, Arizona and ROYAL OAK, Michigan — March 18, 2026
Executive Summary
equipifi® has announced a strategic partnership with CUSG to enable credit unions across the United States to offer Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) capabilities directly within their digital banking environments. Through this collaboration, credit unions working with CUSG will be able to integrate equipifi’s BNPL platform into their existing digital banking applications, allowing members to split larger purchases into structured installment payments.
The partnership is designed to support credit unions in addressing increasing consumer demand for flexible payment options while maintaining engagement within their own banking ecosystems. By embedding BNPL functionality into checking accounts and debit card transactions, the solution enables credit unions to offer personalized installment options aligned with member financial goals. Both organizations stated that the initiative is focused on enhancing digital banking experiences while strengthening long-term member relationships.
Announcement Overview
equipifi®, a Buy Now, Pay Later platform designed for financial institutions, has entered into a strategic partnership with CUSG, a technology platform company offering solutions across human resources, marketing technology, and financial empowerment. The collaboration enables credit unions affiliated with CUSG to deploy BNPL capabilities within their digital banking applications.
Through the integration, credit union members will be able to convert eligible purchases into installment-based repayment plans directly within their existing banking interface. The BNPL functionality is embedded within the credit union’s digital platform, allowing members to access flexible payment options without leaving their financial institution’s environment.
The solution operates through members’ existing checking accounts and debit cards, enabling a seamless experience for managing purchases and repayments. According to the companies, the partnership is intended to provide credit unions with the tools required to meet evolving consumer expectations while maintaining direct relationships with their members.
Key Announcement Details
- Announcement Type: Strategic partnership
- Companies Involved: equipifi® and CUSG
- equipifi Positioning: Leading Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) platform for financial institutions
- CUSG Positioning: Technology platform company offering solutions in HR technology, marketing technology, and financial empowerment
- Announcement Date: March 18, 2026
- Announcement Locations: Scottsdale, Arizona and Royal Oak, Michigan
- News Provider: equipifi
- Core Offering: Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) capabilities for credit unions
- Primary Objective: Support credit unions in meeting rising consumer demand for flexible payment options
- Secondary Objective: Strengthen member relationships within credit unions’ digital banking environments
- Target Institutions: Credit unions working with CUSG
- End Users: Credit union members
- Delivery Mechanism: BNPL solutions offered within digital banking applications
- Integration Type: Embedded BNPL functionality within digital banking apps
- Branding Model: White-labeled experience under the credit union’s brand
- Transaction Source: Existing checking accounts and debit cards
- Use Case: Splitting larger purchases into flexible installment loans
- Personalization Capability: BNPL options aligned with members’ financial goals
- Experience Environment: Trusted digital banking environment of the credit union
- Platform Nature: Native BNPL capability within financial institution systems
- Technology Provider Role: equipifi provides BNPL infrastructure and platform
- CUSG Role: Enables access and delivery of BNPL to its credit union partners
- Member Behavior Insight: Members are turning to BNPL options outside their financial institution
- Problem Addressed: Lack of in-house BNPL offerings within credit unions
- Solution Outcome: Enables credit unions to offer BNPL within their own ecosystem
- Relationship Retention Goal: Keep BNPL engagement within the credit union
- Engagement Objective: Retain member engagement that may otherwise migrate to third-party providers
- Lending Capability: Installment-based lending through BNPL
- Digital Engagement Impact: Increase digital engagement within credit union platforms
- Relationship Strengthening: Reinforce primary financial relationships
- Competitive Capability: Provide modern lending tools within credit unions
- Scaling Capability: Deliver BNPL at scale through partnership
- Experience Control: Maintain full experience within the trusted institution
- Infrastructure Positioning (equipifi): Provides credit infrastructure for modern banking
- Platform Capability (equipifi): Enables BNPL as a native banking capability embedded in digital platforms
- Customer Engagement Outcome: Durable customer engagement
- Growth Outcome: Sustainable growth
- Lending Experience Outcome: More competitive consumer lending experience
- Ecosystem Positioning: Delivered within the institution’s own ecosystem
- CUSG Platform Scope: Solutions across HR technology, marketing technology, and financial technology
- CUSG Brand Portfolio:
- Performance Pro
- Compease
- The Learning Center
- MemberXP
- BankingXP
- CUSG Customer Base: Serves more than 2,200 financial institutions, universities, hospitals, and other businesses nationwide
- CUSG Mission: Support businesses in delivering exceptional employee and customer experiences while maintaining secure and resilient environments
- equipifi Market Position: Trusted by leading banks and credit unions
- Industry Trend Highlighted: Growing consumer demand for Buy Now, Pay Later
- Adoption Gap Identified: Credit unions lacking in-house BNPL capabilities
- Implementation Outcome: Enables quick and seamless BNPL deployment
- Information Resource: cusg.com/equipifi
- Company Websites:
- CUSG.com
- www.equipifi.com
- Quote – Patty Corkery (CUSG President and CEO):
Credit unions are committed to supporting the financial well-being of their members and providing responsible, transparent financial tools; demand for BNPL is increasing; members are turning to external providers; partnership enables credit unions to offer BNPL while keeping relationships within the institution - Quote – Bryce Deeney (CEO and Founder of equipifi):
Consumer demand for BNPL has surged; credit unions are losing engagement to third-party providers; partnership enables rapid and seamless BNPL deployment at scale; strengthens member relationships within the trusted institution
Partnership Scope and Capabilities
The collaboration between equipifi and CUSG introduces BNPL functionality as a native component of digital banking for participating credit unions. The platform is designed to operate within the existing infrastructure of credit unions, allowing institutions to extend lending capabilities without requiring external applications or third-party platforms.
equipifi’s BNPL solution is structured as a white-label offering, enabling credit unions to present the service under their own branding. The experience is embedded within the digital banking interface, ensuring that members interact exclusively within their credit union’s ecosystem when accessing BNPL options.
The platform supports installment-based repayment structures, allowing members to divide larger purchases into manageable payments. These options are designed to align with individual financial goals, providing flexibility while maintaining transparency within the repayment process.
By integrating directly with checking accounts and debit cards, the solution enables real-time access to BNPL options during or after purchase transactions. This approach allows credit unions to extend lending services in a manner that is consistent with their existing digital banking operations.
BNPL Integration Within Credit Union Digital Banking
The partnership introduces BNPL functionality directly into credit union digital banking applications, enabling members to access installment payment options within the same platform used for everyday banking activities.
The BNPL experience provided by equipifi is designed to be fully integrated and branded within each credit union’s digital environment. This allows institutions to maintain consistency in user experience while extending additional financial services to their members.
Members can utilize BNPL options when making purchases through their existing accounts, with repayment plans structured around installment-based schedules. The integration eliminates the need for external BNPL providers, allowing credit unions to retain engagement within their own digital channels.
The companies indicated that this approach supports credit unions in maintaining control over the customer relationship while offering financial tools that align with current consumer payment preferences.
Addressing Growing Consumer Demand for Flexible Payments
The partnership is positioned to address increasing demand for flexible payment solutions among consumers. According to the companies, more consumers are seeking installment-based payment options when making larger purchases, leading to the expansion of BNPL services across the financial services sector.
By enabling BNPL within their own platforms, credit unions can respond to this demand while maintaining direct engagement with their members. The solution allows institutions to provide payment flexibility without requiring members to use external providers.
The companies stated that integrating BNPL into digital banking environments allows credit unions to offer modern financial tools that align with evolving consumer expectations while preserving existing relationships between institutions and their members.
Strengthening Member Relationships Through Embedded Financial Tools
The partnership emphasizes the role of embedded financial tools in strengthening relationships between credit unions and their members. By offering BNPL directly within digital banking platforms, credit unions can provide additional value within their existing services.
The embedded approach ensures that members remain within the credit union’s ecosystem when accessing installment payment options. This supports continuity in the banking experience while enabling institutions to expand their service offerings.
According to the announcement, the integration of BNPL capabilities contributes to increased digital engagement and reinforces the position of credit unions as primary financial partners for their members.
Leadership Commentary
“Credit unions are committed to supporting the financial well-being of their members and providing responsible, transparent financial tools,” said Patty Corkery, President and Chief Executive Officer of CUSG. “As demand for Buy Now, Pay Later grows, too many members are turning to options outside their trusted financial institution. Our partnership with equipifi ensures credit unions can offer BNPL in a way that protects members and keeps the relationship where it belongs.”
“Consumer demand for BNPL has surged, and too many credit unions are watching members turn to third-party providers simply because they don’t yet offer it in-house,” said Bryce Deeney, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of equipifi. “Through our partnership with CUSG, we’re helping credit unions close that gap quickly and seamlessly, delivering BNPL at scale in a way that strengthens member relationships and keeps the experience where it belongs: with the trusted institution.”
Functional Benefits for Credit Unions
Through the combined capabilities of equipifi and CUSG, participating credit unions can implement BNPL functionality within their digital banking platforms with a focus on maintaining member engagement and expanding service offerings.
Credit unions will be able to:
- Offer BNPL as a native, white-label experience embedded within digital banking platforms
- Retain member engagement that may otherwise shift to third-party BNPL providers
- Strengthen primary financial relationships through modern lending capabilities
- Increase digital engagement within their banking applications
- Reinforce their role as trusted financial partners through integrated financial tools
The companies indicated that these capabilities are intended to support credit unions in adapting to evolving consumer payment behaviors while maintaining operational consistency within their digital banking environments.
Access and Implementation
Credit unions working with CUSG can access the BNPL solution through equipifi’s platform integration. The offering is designed to be deployed within existing digital banking systems, allowing institutions to introduce BNPL functionality without requiring significant changes to their current infrastructure.
For additional information regarding the implementation of BNPL capabilities through the partnership, credit unions can visit cusg.com/equipifi.
About CUSG
CUSG is a provider of software and services focused on human resources, marketing technology, and financial technology solutions. The organization supports businesses in delivering employee and customer experiences while maintaining secure and resilient operational environments.
CUSG operates a portfolio of national brands, including Performance Pro, Compease, The Learning Center, MemberXP, and BankingXP. The company serves more than 2,200 organizations, including financial institutions, universities, hospitals, and businesses across the United States.
CUSG’s platform is designed to support organizational growth and development through integrated technology solutions and service offerings.
More information is available at www.cusg.com.
About equipifi®
equipifi® is a financial technology company that provides infrastructure enabling financial institutions to offer Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) capabilities within their digital banking platforms. The company’s solutions are designed to integrate directly into banking systems, allowing institutions to deliver installment-based payment options within their own ecosystem.
equipifi’s platform supports customer engagement and lending operations by embedding BNPL functionality as a native component of digital banking experiences. The company works with banks and credit unions to deliver lending solutions aligned with modern consumer expectations.
Additional information is available at www.equipifi.com.
Media Contact
For additional information, visit equipifi.com & cusg.com.
Source Attribution
Source: Company announcement