The Zelle Network is expanding its Minority Depository Institution access program for a second year, renewing its collaboration with Velera to support MDI credit unions and adding a new partnership with Jack Henry to extend Zelle access to additional MDI banks and credit unions. MDIs are financial institutions that primarily serve minority communities.
"For many minority communities, MDIs play an essential role in providing access to safe, reliable financial services," Denise Leonhard, general manager of Zelle, said in a prepared release. "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."
The announcement came alongside new findings from Zelle based on a survey of 250 leaders at community-sized financial institutions and MDIs, which pointed to growing demand for faster money movement. Ninety-nine percent said they are seeing increased pressure to move money faster. Almost 98% said instant payments now influence how consumers choose their financial institution. Only 6% said they believe their institutions can remain highly competitive without instant payment capabilities.
The program launched in 2025 in partnership with Velera and is designed to reduce barriers for MDIss seeking to offer Zelle to their members.
"The feedback we've received from MDI credit unions throughout 2025 has been overwhelmingly positive," Amy Evans, SVP of strategic solutions at Velera, said. "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."
Zelle is expanding the program through a partnership with Jack Henry that will extend 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," Tede Forman, president of Jack Henry Payment Solutions, said. "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 total number of institutions on Zelle is now more than 2,300, with 95% of those being community banks or credit unions.
Joyce Moed can be reached at joyce.moed@arc-network.com.
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