Largest Fintech Fund in Credit Union Industry History, Curql Fund II, Closes with $360 Million
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Confetti falling, celebrating a historic moment in credit union history – the largest ever credit-union led fintech fundraise at $360 million from over 160 credit unions.
Curql’s $360M Fund II ranks among the top 25 U.S. venture capital fundraises in early 2025, signaling credit unions’ growing power in fintech innovation
DES MOINES, Iowa, August 06, 2025–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Curql, a collective of 160+ credit unions jointly investing in fintech, today announced the final close of Curql Fund II at $360 million. The fund is 40% larger than its record-setting predecessor, making it the largest fintech fundraise in credit union history and placing it well within the top 25 U.S. venture capital raises in the first half of 2025, per Pitchbook’s published rankings. This brings Curql’s AUM (assets under management) to over $600 million.
Closing amid a challenging investment climate, Curql Fund II’s scale signals just how deeply the credit union movement believes in collective capital and purpose-built fintech. Fund II builds on the momentum of Curql Fund I and affirms the strength of a model built by credit unions, for credit unions.
“This fund and our business model are both a statement and a victory for the credit union movement,” said Nick Evens, President and CEO of Curql Collective. Together, we’ve built something unprecedented, and together we’ll now put this capital to work to help credit unions large and small bring the next generation of fintech to their members. This is the next chapter of credit unions leading digital transformation rather than chasing it, the next phase of battling unregulated fintech and monstrous investment by those continuing to try and disintermediate credit unions.”
A Fund Built to Work for Credit Unions and Fintech
With Fund II now closed and a new fund not on the horizon for several more years, Curql Collective is focused on putting capital to work. Through Curql, fintech startups gain much more than funding; they gain a built-in network of credit unions as early adopters and advisors. In turn, credit union investors secure preferred pricing, early access to new technologies, and influence over how those solutions evolve to meet member needs.
A Proven Ecosystem, Poised to Scale
This collaboration is already delivering tangible value. To date, Curql participants have access to millions of dollars of savings (discounts), illustrating the real financial impact of “together we win.”
“Fintech and credit unions are natural allies,” said Brenda Worrell, CEO of Idaho Central Credit Union. “We both face pressure from big tech. We both succeed through collaboration, and Curql makes it happen at scale. We’re already seeing the results.”
For credit unions, banding together via Curql is also a strategic response to competitive pressures. Big banks, Big Tech, and direct-to-consumer fintech have been encroaching on consumer finance, raising the stakes for community-based institutions. By pooling resources in Curql, even mid-sized and smaller credit unions can access cutting-edge fintech that would be out of reach individually, and in some cases lead the market. For example, Curql portfolio companies like Zest AI (AI underwriting), Eltropy (digital communications), LoanStreet (loan trading platform), Equipifi (buy-now-pay-later services), ModernFi (deposit network management), and Trust & Will (digital estate planning) have rapidly scaled across credit unions with Curql’s support. With more than 30% of the U.S. credit union market already using one or more Curql fintech, Curql-backed solutions are becoming essential infrastructure in the industry.
Together, We Win
Curql’s fintech portfolio now includes roughly 50 companies, many of which are already reshaping how credit unions serve their members across AI lending, engagement, and cybersecurity. Credit unions of all sizes are now deploying these solutions, allowing them to compete on par with larger institutions in digital innovation.
The Search for Mission-Driven Fintech
Curql’s focus now shifts to deploying its $360 million in newly committed capital into promising fintech partnerships that will directly benefit credit unions, their members, and the fintech powering them. The vision remains the same: keep credit unions at the forefront of financial innovation through collective investment and cooperation. In an era of rapid fintech evolution, Curql’s leaders believe their model has turned a corner; from proving concept to delivering industry-scale impact. As credit unions roll out the next wave of fintech solutions born from Curql’s investments, the message is clear: by standing together, credit unions can not only survive the fintech revolution but lead it.
About Curql Collective
Curql Collective is a fintech investment ecosystem built by credit unions, for credit unions. With the backing of over 160 progressive credit unions, Curql invests in and accelerates the development of fintech solutions that empower credit unions to better serve their members and stay competitive. Curql Fund II closed in 2025 at $360 million (the largest credit union-led fintech fund ever), following the success of Fund I ($252 million closed in 2021). Through Curql Fund I, Curql Fund II, and Curql Accelerate, the collective has partnered with over 50 fintech companies to bring transformative technologies directly to the credit union movement. Together, we’re creating opportunities for growth, enhancing member experiences, and driving meaningful change across the industry. For more information, visit www.curql.com.
