Zelle® Expands MDI Access Program to Jack Henry®, Broadening Access to Fast, Reliable Digital Payments

WHY THIS MATTERS
Zelle’s expansion of its MDI access program highlights the growing importance of financial inclusion within the digital payments landscape. Minority Depository Institutions play a critical role in serving underserved communities, but often face barriers in accessing the same technology infrastructure as larger banks. By extending access to real-time payments through partners like Velera and Jack Henry, Zelle is helping level the playing field.

This also reflects a broader industry shift where instant payments are no longer a differentiator, but an expectation. As consumers and small businesses increasingly rely on fast, seamless money movement, ensuring smaller institutions can offer these capabilities is essential to maintaining competitiveness and supporting local economic activity.

The Zelle® Network today announced the second year of its Minority Depository Institution (MDI) access program:

• Renewing its collaboration with Velera to bring Zelle to MDI credit unions. Velera is the nation’s premier payments credit union service organization and an integrated financial technology solutions provider.
• Expanding the program through a new partnership with Jack Henry to bring Zelle to additional MDI banks and credit unions. Jack Henry is a leading financial technology company that strengthens connections between financial institutions and the people and businesses they serve.

“For many minority communities, MDIs play an essential role in providing access to safe, reliable financial services,” said Denise Leonhard, general manager of Zelle. “By continuing our work with Velera and expanding the program through Jack Henry, we’re helping more MDI banks and credit unions offer a reliable digital payments experience – so they can better serve their communities and help keep more dollars circulating locally.”

Launched in 2025 with Velera, the goal of the MDI access program is simple: reduce barriers for community financial institutions that play an outsized role in supporting local economies and wealth-building.

“The feedback we’ve received from MDI credit unions throughout 2025 has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Amy Evans, SVP, Strategic Solutions at Velera. “From the start, this program has been about removing barriers and helping MDIs offer the same trusted digital experiences as larger institutions. The success of the program made it clear there was strong demand, and expanding our partnership will allow even more credit unions to give members a fast, reliable way to send and receive money with confidence.”

Building on the partnership with Velera, Zelle is now expanding the program through Jack Henry, extending access to additional MDI banks and credit unions.

“Real-time payments are quickly becoming a baseline expectation, with millions of people now using digital payments as part of their everyday financial lives,” said Tede Forman, president of Jack Henry Payment Solutions. “Through our collaboration with Zelle, we’re helping banks and credit unions that serve MDI communities modernize their payment offerings with faster money movement delivered within the financial institution’s user experience. Being able to send and receive money quickly benefits a wide range of customers, from small businesses seeking growth to consumers wanting more control of their cash flow.”

The expanded MDI program reflects a long-term commitment from Zelle to supporting financial institutions of all sizes. The total number of institutions on Zelle is now more than 2,300, with 95% institutions either community banks or credit unions. By working with Velera and Jack Henry, Zelle is helping strengthen MDI banks and credit unions and broaden access to critical digital payment tools for American consumers and small businesses.

FF NEWS TAKE
This is as much about infrastructure as it is about inclusion. By embedding Zelle into the platforms used by MDIs, the network is ensuring that smaller institutions aren’t left behind as digital payments become standard.

It also reinforces a key trend: access to modern payment rails is now fundamental to financial relevance. Institutions that can’t offer real-time experiences risk losing customers, while those that can—regardless of size—are better positioned to retain trust and keep money flowing within their communities.