The $95 million Premier Credit Union in Des Moines, Iowa, is the first customer to commit to using the new person-to-person payments platform from hometown startup Dwolla.

The Dwolla platform, which the credit union's 13,500 members will be able to access from its website at www.premiercu.org, facilitates real-time transactions with friends, family and a growing list of merchants either online or through a smart phone, the company and credit union said.

Premier CU members will be instantly issued a Dwolla user ID and won't have to wait for the two- to three-day verification process the new service requires. They will also be able to download a Dwolla mobile app.

“There is no doubt that the payments landscape is changing,” said Steve Flamm, Premier CEO. “It is our intent to not only help our members navigate this new world, but to lead them. Dwolla is one tool that will allow us to deliver on this plan.”

Iowa-based card processor The Members Group is distributing the Dwolla platform and helping with development, processing and security, TMG said.

“While it's largely an 18- to 35-year-old demographic driving the development of alternative payments technology, that's not to say that other age groups aren't adapting rapidly to the changing landscape,” said Brian Day, TMG product development architect.