True Link Secures Double Win at Money20/20 for AI Fraud Prevention and Huntington Bank Partnership

True Link has secured dual honors at Money20/20 USA for its Retina AI fraud prevention technology and a strategic partnership with Huntington Bank. For fintech professionals, this highlights a shift toward specialized banking tools that protect vulnerable family members while simplifying the complex financial responsibilities of the modern head of household.

What was announced

True Link received recognition for two distinct pillars of its current offering: the Retina AI researcher and its collaborative family banking platform with Huntington Bank. Retina is positioned as the industry’s first 24/7 AI-driven tool specifically designed to identify and block "scammy" merchants. Unlike traditional fraud systems that focus primarily on stolen credentials or unauthorized access, Retina targets deceptive business practices such as hidden subscriptions, low-rated charities, and merchandise that is intentionally difficult to return. The system maintains a database of more than 3.8 million merchants, with tens of thousands of new entries added every month.

The technology currently prevents over 1 million high-risk transactions annually, resulting in an average saving of $1,700 per customer. The second award focused on the integration of True Link’s technology within Huntington Bank’s ecosystem. This partnership allows Huntington customers to manage the financial needs of teens, aging parents, and other adults with complex requirements through a single, connected digital experience. This includes coordinated accounts, cards, and digital tools designed for independent but safe banking. The initiative has proven to be a significant customer acquisition tool for the bank; currently, one-third of the caregivers utilizing the service are entirely new to Huntington Bank.

"Being a trusted partner means showing up for our customers in the parts of life that ask the most of them, and caring for family is one of them,"

Mark Rhoades, deposit product director at Huntington

The companies involved

True Link is a financial technology firm that specializes in providing banking and investment services tailored to the needs of vulnerable populations and their caregivers. By focusing on the "sandwich generation"—individuals managing the finances of both children and aging parents—the company has carved out a niche in the market for protective financial tools. Its technology is designed to offer autonomy to the end-user while providing oversight and security to the account administrator, such as a head of household.

Huntington Bank, the primary banking partner in this announcement, is a significant player in the retail banking sector. The institution has increasingly focused on digital transformation and household-centric services to differentiate itself from larger national competitors. By integrating True Link’s specialized fraud prevention and family management tools, Huntington is positioning itself as a primary financial hub for the family unit. The bank’s strategy relies on the premise that by solving the complex logistical and security challenges of family caregiving, it can secure long-term loyalty and capture a larger share of the total household wallet.

What FF News has reported before

FF News has previously tracked True Link’s efforts to push the broader financial sector toward more inclusive and protective services. In early 2025, the publication covered how True Link Challenges Financial Services Firms to Build More Services for the Aging and Their Caregivers. That report detailed the company’s call for the industry to move beyond generic banking products and instead develop specialized tools that address the unique risks faced by seniors and the administrative burdens placed on their family members.

What this means

This development signals a maturation of AI in fintech, moving from back-office efficiency to consumer-facing protection. Traditional fraud detection is often too blunt an instrument to catch "grey-area" scams like predatory subscriptions, leaving a gap that True Link is clearly exploiting. For the wider banking sector, the success of the Huntington partnership—specifically the fact that it is driving new customer acquisition—suggests that family-oriented safety features are no longer just optional add-ons. They are becoming essential competitive tools. Banks that fail to address the specific anxieties of caregivers risk losing the "head of household" demographic to more agile, tech-forward incumbents.