Fuse Launches $5M Rescue Fund for Credit Unions

Fuse, the AI-native loan origination and account opening platform trusted by more than 100 financial institutions, led by Andres Klaric and Marc Escapa, has announced the Fuse Rescue Fund: a $5 million initiative to liberate credit unions from long-term contracts with legacy technology vendors. The company also announced that it has raised a $25 million in Series A led by Footwork, Primary Venture Partners, NextView Ventures, and Commerce Ventures.

The first 50 qualifying credit unions will receive full access to the Fuse platform at no cost until their existing LOS contracts expire, after which they transition to a flat annual subscription with no implementation, variable, or hidden fees.

Credit unions provide the contract, and Fuse manages the transition.

“Credit unions are losing members due to outdated technology, not a lack of commitment,” said Andres Klaric. “Legacy systems create a growing gap between member expectations and delivery—marked by hidden fees, slow innovation cycles, limited data access, and no clear path to automation. That gap is where fintechs are winning, and Fuse is built to close it.”

Is the SaaS Squeeze Over?

Credit unions have faced rising pressure from legacy vendors charging high fees and restricting flexibility, while fintech lenders rapidly gain market share.

“The era of the change order is over,” said Andres Klaric. “Legacy SaaS thrived on friction, but Fuse is built to replace lock-in with automation, backed by a $5 million commitment.”

SaaS Must Disrupt Itself in the Era of AI

The Rescue Fund reflects a broader conviction: enterprise software built on pre-AI economics cannot remain unchanged. For decades, vendors relied on lock-in due to high development costs and limited alternatives, but generative AI has dramatically reduced those barriers.

“The question is no longer whether rent-seeking SaaS will be disrupted, but whether it comes from within or outside the industry,” said Andres Klaric.

The Velocity Gap

Legacy vendors, constrained by technical debt, ship meaningful updates over years, while Fuse delivers updates weekly. This velocity gap shifts the risk: not choosing the wrong software, but choosing software that cannot adapt.

A credit union on legacy systems cannot keep pace with fintech competitors, while one on Fuse improves continuously, widening the gap every day.

The Rescue Offer: Free Until You Leave

The Rescue Fund reflects a shift away from legacy SaaS economics, passing AI-driven cost efficiencies directly to credit unions. It includes:

Zero-Cost Transition – Free full-platform access during the switch

Flat Pricing – $100,000 annually ($50,000 for smaller institutions)

No Hidden Fees – No implementation, transaction, or surprise charges

“SaaS needs to disrupt itself,” said Marc Escapa. “An AI-native platform enables faster integrations and self-optimizing systems, allowing those gains to be passed directly to clients and building long-term partnerships.”

Proactive Automation, Guaranteed in the Contract

Rescue Fund participants gain access to a dynamic system, not a static replacement. Fuse operates as a Proactive Automation platform, a GenAI lending copilot that monitors workflows, identifies bottlenecks, and recommends fixes in real time.

Dedicated automation coaches work with credit unions bi-weekly to implement improvements, enabling up to 71% automation within the first year. These outcomes are contractually guaranteed, covering automation rates, integration timelines, core field access, and support SLAs.

A Generational Platform, Already Proven

Fuse already powers over 100 financial institutions, from Navigant Credit Union ($4B in assets) to Canopy Credit Union ($200M). FIS Global has also been named its official reseller following extensive diligence.

Backed by more than $25 million from investors behind Chime and OpenAI, Fuse is positioned as a long-term infrastructure partner for the credit union ecosystem.