Zelle Expands Access for Community Banks and Credit Unions

337 New Financial Institutions Joined Zelle Network in 2025

Jan. 27, 2026 at 12:07pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Zelle, the digital payments platform, reported that it continued to scale its network in 2025, adding 337 new community banks and credit unions that now offer real-time payment capabilities through the Zelle network. This expansion is part of Zelle's strategy to make its fast, reliable money movement services more accessible to consumers and small businesses across the United States.

Why it matters

Zelle's growth in community banks and credit unions is significant as these institutions play a crucial role in providing essential financial services to local communities. By integrating Zelle, these smaller financial providers can now offer their customers the same seamless digital payment experience as larger banks, helping to improve financial inclusion and accessibility.

The details

Zelle partnered with resellers like Fiserv to help reduce the technology lift for community banks and credit unions, accelerating their adoption of the Zelle platform. This allowed these institutions to quickly integrate Zelle's services into their existing banking experiences, enabling their customers to send and receive money directly without the need for cash, checks, or third-party apps.

  • In 2025, Zelle expanded its network by adding 337 new community banks and credit unions.
  • Zelle reported these results on January 27, 2026.

The players

Zelle

A digital payments platform that powers fast, reliable person-to-person payments, moving more than $1 trillion between millions of consumer and small business accounts at United States banks and credit unions.

Denise Leonhard

The general manager of Zelle.

Fiserv

A global leader in payments and financial technology, and the largest partner reseller of Zelle, representing roughly two-thirds of the financial institutions offering the solution.

Matt Wilcox

The deputy head of financial solutions group and chief growth officer at Fiserv.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Zelle already reaches 80% of U.S. bank and credit union accounts and last year was about widening access – deliberately and at scale.”

— Denise Leonhard, General Manager of Zelle (PRNewswire)

“As the largest partner reseller of Zelle, representing roughly two-thirds of the financial institutions offering the solution, we value our collaboration with Early Warning Services in bringing Zelle to market.”

— Matt Wilcox, Deputy Head of Financial Solutions Group and Chief Growth Officer, Fiserv (PRNewswire)

What’s next

Zelle plans to continue expanding its network of community banks and credit unions, making its fast, reliable digital payment services more accessible to consumers and small businesses across the United States.

The takeaway

Zelle's growth in community financial institutions demonstrates its commitment to financial inclusion and accessibility, ensuring that all Americans have access to seamless digital payment solutions regardless of their banking provider.