Raiz FCU’s Digital Leap: A Blueprint for Credit Union Modernization

EL PASO, TX – March 03, 2026 – Raiz Federal Credit Union, a billion-dollar institution rooted in the El Paso community, has announced a strategic partnership with payments innovator Alacriti to modernize its loan payment infrastructure. The implementation of Alacriti's Orbipay Loan Payments platform marks a pivotal phase in the credit union's broader digital transformation, aimed at delivering a frictionless and deeply integrated banking experience for its more than 78,000 members.

While the introduction of a new payment system is a significant milestone, it represents a single, deliberate step in a much larger strategic journey for Raiz. This move is less a simple upgrade and more the culmination of a meticulously planned overhaul designed to position the community-focused institution at the forefront of digital banking.

A Broader Digital Revolution

The partnership with Alacriti did not happen in a vacuum. It follows an intensive 18-month period of strategic reinvention at Raiz. Recognizing the limitations of its aging legacy systems, the credit union's leadership embarked on a comprehensive transformation to build a digital ecosystem capable of meeting, and exceeding, modern member expectations. This journey included a foundational shift in its core processing system to Fiserv DNA and the launch of a new digital banking platform in partnership with Alkami in mid-2023.

The results of that initial overhaul were immediate and striking. The credit union saw a 20% member adoption rate for its new digital platform within the first 24 hours, a figure that soared to over 50% in the first week. This rapid uptake was validated by exceptional user satisfaction, with the app earning stellar ratings of 4.8 on Apple's App Store and 4.9 on the Google Play store. These metrics underscore a key insight: members were not just ready for change, they were eager for a more intuitive and powerful digital experience.

Under the guidance of Amy Krasikov, VP of Digital Experience, a dedicated digital team operating independently of traditional IT or marketing departments has been driving this change. The strategy has been to partner with best-in-class FinTech providers to build a seamless, feature-rich environment. This includes a partnership with MANTL to automate and streamline account opening in both English and Spanish, a critical feature for its bilingual community.

Erasing Friction from the Member Experience

The decision to tackle loan payments with Alacriti directly addresses one of the most common friction points in digital banking. Previously, members often had to navigate to external, third-party portals to make a loan payment, a process that felt disconnected and often caused delays in payment posting. This created uncertainty for members and increased operational overhead for staff who had to field calls confirming payment receipt.

The implementation of Orbipay Loan Payments is designed to completely eliminate this friction. Members can now make loan payments directly within the familiar Raiz digital banking app or web portal. The platform offers a wide array of payment options, including ACH transfers, debit cards, credit cards, and popular digital wallets, giving members the flexibility to pay how they choose. Payments are posted in real time to Raiz's core system, providing immediate confirmation and peace of mind.

“Orbipay Loan Payments has modernized our payment experience for both members and staff,” said Amy Krasikov in the official announcement. “The platform's flexibility, combined with exceptional vendor support and robust reporting capabilities, gives us the tools we need to serve our members more effectively while gaining valuable insights into our payment operations.”

Beyond the primary digital banking interface, the solution expands self-service capabilities through multiple channels, including guest web payments for non-members, Pay by Text, QR code-initiated payments, and an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system for phone payments. This multi-channel approach ensures accessibility and convenience for all segments of the credit union's diverse membership.

The Technology Powering the Transformation

For Raiz, the key to a successful partnership was finding a technology provider that could integrate deeply and seamlessly with its newly established digital ecosystem. Alacriti's Orbipay was selected precisely for its robust API-driven architecture and its proven ability to establish real-time connectivity with core banking systems like Fiserv DNA.

This API-first approach is central to the strategy of modern financial institutions. Instead of building every function from scratch—a slow and costly process—credit unions like Raiz can partner with specialists like Alacriti to “plug in” advanced capabilities. This allows them to innovate faster and focus their internal resources on member service and strategy.

"Raiz Federal Credit Union exemplifies what successful digital transformation looks like in financial services," noted Stuart Bain, SVP of Product at Alacriti. "By implementing Orbipay's comprehensive multi-channel architecture, Raiz is removing friction from the payment process to deliver the seamless experience their members deserve."

Alacriti's role extends beyond just loan payments. The company is part of a growing class of FinTech enablers that provide the critical infrastructure allowing traditional institutions to compete with digital-native neobanks and large national banks. This trend is reshaping the competitive landscape, demonstrating that size is no longer the sole determinant of technological prowess.

The Credit Union Modernization Imperative

Raiz's story is a powerful case study in a broader industry-wide movement. Across the country, credit unions are at a crossroads, facing intense pressure from agile FinTech startups and the massive technology budgets of banking giants. To remain relevant and continue their mission of serving their communities, they must embrace digital transformation. Sticking with outdated technology is no longer a viable option.

The path Raiz has taken—a strategic, phased overhaul of its core and digital systems through smart partnerships—is becoming the blueprint for success. This approach allows credit unions to leverage their core strengths of member trust and community focus while delivering a cutting-edge technological experience. By investing in data analytics, seamless integrations, and user-centric design, institutions can not only retain their existing members but also attract a new generation that demands digital convenience.

For Raiz, this journey is far from over. The credit union is already exploring the potential of artificial intelligence to offer even more personalized banking experiences. The successful rollout of its new digital platform and the modernization of its payment systems have built a powerful momentum, proving that a deep-rooted community institution can also be a leader in innovation. With a solid foundation now in place, Raiz is poised to continue its rise, demonstrating how a passion for knowledge and growth can build a brighter financial future for the members it serves.