Milestone signals broader consumer shift toward affordable small-dollar loans through trusted banks and credit unions as an alternative to higher-cost lending options

PADUCAH, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

CSI, a leading provider of end-to-end financial software and technology, today announced that its CashPlease® small-dollar lending solution has surpassed one million funded consumer loans. The achievement demonstrates the scale of short-term liquidity needs banks and credit unions can address within their existing account holder relationships.

Unexpected expenses don’t always align with payday. Car repairs, medical bills, utility payments, and family emergencies can create an immediate need for funds, and consumers may look beyond their primary financial institution to alternatives like payday lenders when a better solution is not readily available. CashPlease is giving banks and credit unions a way to address that demand directly through a lending program offered to their own account holders.

CashPlease enables financial institutions to offer fully digital, small-dollar loans that can be approved and funded in minutes to hours without a credit check or a loan officer. Designed to make small-dollar lending easier for both financial institutions and borrowers, key features of CashPlease include:

Fully digital application: Account holders apply online without visiting a branch.

No traditional credit check: Eligibility is determined without a conventional credit-bureau review.

Automated decisioning: Applications are evaluated without manual review by a loan officer.

Fast funding: Approved loans are funded in as little as minutes.

Institution-defined parameters: Each bank or credit union establishes its own loan amounts, pricing, and repayment terms.

Clear borrower information: Applicants can review loan terms and repayment expectations before accepting the loan.

“For decades, short-term borrowing often meant turning to lenders outside the traditional banking system,” said Chris Cox, executive vice president and general manager of CSI’s Digital Engagement Solutions. “That dynamic is changing. More banks and credit unions are making affordable small-dollar credit part of the way they serve their account holders, giving them another option when unexpected expenses arise. Every loan reflects that evolution, one in which trusted financial institutions are becoming the first place people turn for short-term financial support. That’s better for consumers, strengthens relationships between financial institutions and their account holders, and expands access to affordable credit in communities across the country.”

CashPlease currently supports approximately 1,000 funded loans per day across participating institutions, with an average loan size of $547. Repayment terms are set by each institution and typically range from two to six months.

The value of that approach is already evident across participating financial institutions. At First Financial Credit Union, CashPlease has become a frequently used option for members seeking short-term funds.

“As a CDFI credit union, First Financial Credit Union strives to meet the needs of low- to moderate-income borrowers by offering products and services designed to make a meaningful difference,” said Chris Samborski, chief lending officer at First Financial Credit Union. “CashPlease provides near real-time access to funds for borrowers who have short-term financial needs, at terms far more favorable than those of payday lenders. Our members use CashPlease more than 600 times each month, making it a powerful example of our commitment to providing responsible, affordable solutions when our members need them most.”

CashPlease works alongside CSI’s Intelligent Limit System (ILS), an automated solution that dynamically adjusts overdraft limits based on account activity and repayment capacity. Together, CashPlease and ILS leverage a shared liquidity limit to provide financial institutions with a unified approach to consumer lending and overdraft management, balancing account holder flexibility with responsible risk management.

As part of CSI’s digital engagement solutions portfolio, CashPlease can be deployed independently or integrated with CSI’s NuPoint® core, giving institutions the flexibility to modernize on their terms. By combining intelligent automation with personalized, data-driven experiences, CSI helps institutions deepen account holder relationships, improve financial access, and deliver long-term business value.

To learn more about CashPlease and CSI’s broader portfolio of solutions, visit www.csiweb.com.

About CSI

CSI is a leading provider of end-to-end financial technology solutions, helping U.S. community and regional financial institutions compete and grow. Backed by more than 60 years of industry expertise, CSI delivers a comprehensive suite of capabilities spanning core banking, digital banking, lending, payments, risk and compliance, and managed IT and cybersecurity services. CSI gives financial institutions the flexibility to deploy an open, fully integrated core platform or best-of-breed, core-agnostic solutions, enabling them to modernize on their terms. Known for its high-touch service, CSI helps financial institutions navigate disruption, strengthen account holder relationships, and drive growth in an increasingly digital-first financial landscape. To learn more, visit www.csiweb.com.

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Source: CSI