Fuse Launches $5M Rescue Fund to Modernize Credit Union Lending

NEW YORK – March 16, 2026 – Fuse, an AI-native loan origination and account opening platform serving over 100 financial institutions, today announced a $5 million initiative – the Fuse Rescue Fund – designed to help credit unions transition away from outdated loan origination systems (LOS). The fund will cover the costs for the first 50 qualifying credit unions to switch to the Fuse platform, providing free access until their current vendor contracts expire.

The Challenge: Legacy Systems and the Fintech Threat

For years, credit unions have faced challenges from private-equity-owned vendors who have profited from complex contracts and restrictive practices. These legacy systems often involve six-figure implementation fees, costly configuration changes, and limited data access, hindering innovation and responsiveness. Fintech lenders have significantly increased their market share, growing from 5 percent to nearly 40 percent in just five years [TechCrunch], while the number of federally insured credit unions has declined by over 30 percent in the last decade.

Fuse’s Solution: The Rescue Fund and AI-Native Platform

The Fuse Rescue Fund aims to alleviate this burden by offering a pathway for credit unions to adopt a modern, AI-powered LOS without the financial penalties of breaking existing contracts. Fuse will cover the remaining costs of current contracts, allowing credit unions to seamlessly transition to the Fuse platform. The platform offers a flat annual pricing model – $100,000 per year ($50,000 for smaller institutions) – with no implementation fees, per-transaction charges, or hidden costs [Fuse Finance].

Key Features of the Fuse Platform

• AI-Powered Automation: Fuse leverages generative AI to automate underwriting, reduce operational costs, and increase loan processing volumes.
• Proactive Automation: The platform continuously monitors workflows, identifies bottlenecks, and recommends improvements, with dedicated Automation Coaches providing bi-weekly support.
• Seamless Integrations: Fuse offers over 200 integrations and guarantees new integrations within one month.
• All-in-One Platform: Fuse provides a unified solution for loan origination and account opening, including applicant portals, internal agent portals, and decision engines.
• Guaranteed Automation: Fuse backs its automation claims with contractual guarantees, ensuring measurable results.

$25 Million Series A Funding

The launch of the Rescue Fund coincides with the announcement of a $25 million Series A funding round led by Footwork, Primary Venture Partners, NextView Ventures, and Commerce Ventures [TechCrunch]. This investment will fuel the company’s growth and further development of its AI-native platform.

The “Velocity Gap” and the Future of Lending

Fuse co-founder Andres Klaric emphasizes that the biggest risk for credit unions isn’t choosing the wrong software, but choosing software that can’t adapt quickly enough. Legacy vendors release updates on a timescale of years, while Fuse releases updates weekly, creating a significant “velocity gap.” This gap allows fintech competitors to innovate faster and capture market share.

How to Participate

The Fuse Rescue Fund is limited to the first 50 qualifying credit unions. Interested institutions can apply at fusefinance.com/rescue.

About Fuse

Founded in 2020, Fuse is an AI-native Loan Origination System and Account Opening platform for traditional financial institutions. The company currently powers over 100 credit unions, banks, and finance companies, and has secured a partnership with FIS Global as an official reseller [TechCrunch]. Fuse is backed by over $25 million in funding from investors including those behind Chime and OpenAI.