InvestiFi Honored as ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator Most Valuable Participant

WHY THIS MATTERS
Community banks are under increasing pressure to expand their digital offerings while competing with larger financial institutions and fintech platforms. InvestiFi’s recognition by the ICBA ThinkTECH Showcase highlights growing demand for integrated investment tools that allow banks to offer wealth-building services directly within their existing digital banking environments. By enabling customers to invest directly from their checking accounts without relying on external payment rails, solutions like InvestiFi aim to simplify the investment process while keeping financial activity within the bank’s ecosystem.

This type of innovation is particularly important for community banks seeking to retain deposits and deepen customer relationships. As more consumers expect seamless digital financial services, integrated investing capabilities can help smaller institutions compete with larger banks and fintech platforms that already offer embedded investment features. Programs like the ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator also play a role in connecting fintech providers with community banks, helping accelerate the adoption of new technologies designed specifically for the sector.

InvestiFi, a leading provider of digital investment solutions for financial institutions, was recognized by the Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) during its recent ThinkTECH Showcase at ICBA LIVE in San Diego as the program’s Most Valuable Participant (MVP). The MVP Award recognizes the most evolved fintech offering based on program engagement and alignment with community bank business priorities. 

“InvestiFi provides a solution that enables community banks to compete in the investment space, linking a solution directly to a customer’s bank account,” ICBA Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer Wayne Miller said. “In an environment where community banks are seeking to grow deposits, InvestiFi offers a solution that helps retain and attract wealth management clients, allowing them to reinvest those dollars back into the community. We’re pleased to recognize them as our MVP Award winner.” 

InvestiFi provides digital investment services directly from the account holder’s checking account, bypassing third-party payment rails and integrating seamlessly into their existing digital banking platform.

Honored during the ICBA LIVE ThinkTECH Showcase, InvestiFi was among the latest ThinkTECH cohort and most recent alumni to present their solutions to the community banking industry. The showcase revealed community-bank specific fintech solutions covering a broad range of key areas, including artificial intelligence, payments, data strategy, fraud prevention and detection, customer experience, and more. Presenting companies demonstrated the refined, novel solutions that are helping community banks drive innovation and meet their business goals. 

“We were founded on the principle that community banks should be able to offer their account holders digital investing solutions from within their online banking experience,” said Kian Sarreshteh, CEO of InvestiFi. “Through our engagement with the ThinkTECH Accelerator we’ve been able to amplify that mission and refine our offering in support of this community. We are honored to be recognized with the MVP Award.” 

Since its inception, the ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator has promoted early-stage solutions designed specifically for community banks, connecting innovative bank technology providers with thousands of community bankers and industry leaders. Through this program, ICBA advances industry innovation by focusing on cutting costs, driving customer engagement, increasing revenue, and maximizing go-to-market strategies. InvestiFi received mentorship from a distinguished network of industry leaders in an immersive 10-week program, the first of two accelerator programs in 2026 that reflect ICBA’s investment in supporting the continuous cycle of community bank innovation.

FF NEWS TAKE
Community banks are increasingly looking to embedded finance solutions to expand services without rebuilding their digital infrastructure.

InvestiFi’s recognition by ICBA reflects a broader trend where investment capabilities are being embedded directly into everyday banking experiences. As competition for deposits and customer loyalty intensifies, tools that combine banking and investing within a single platform could help community banks remain competitive while strengthening long-term customer engagement.