Teradata has appointed Ken Ricketts as its new Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), reinforcing the company’s commitment to enterprise-wide security especially across cloud and AI-driven systems. In this role, Ricketts will work closely with leadership to enhance risk management, secure product development and bolster the company’s security posture as AI becomes increasingly central to its operations.
Meeting Californians Where They Are Financially
California is home to one of the most diverse populations in the country, with financial needs that span a wide spectrum. While many residents have strong credit profiles, millions of others are underserved by traditional lending systems that rely heavily on legacy credit scoring models. These outdated approaches often fail to account for real-world financial behavior, leaving capable borrowers without access to affordable credit.
By partnering with Upstart, Rize Credit Union is addressing this gap head-on.
Upstart’s AI-driven underwriting models evaluate borrowers using a broader set of data points beyond conventional credit scores. This allows lenders like Rize to better assess risk and extend loan offers to consumers who may have been overlooked by traditional banks, including younger borrowers, individuals with limited credit history, and households working toward financial stability.
For borrowers, this means more opportunities to qualify for personal loans that can be used for essential expenses such as debt consolidation, medical bills, home repairs, or unexpected life events.
A Fully Digital, Member-Friendly Lending Experience
One of the most notable aspects of the Rize–Upstart partnership is the seamless digital experience it delivers. Borrowers who meet Rize’s credit criteria on Upstart.com are automatically routed into a Rize Credit Union–branded application flow, where they can complete underwriting and closing entirely online.
There is no need for in-person branch visits, paper forms, or lengthy back-and-forth communication. Instead, applicants benefit from:
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A simple and intuitive online application
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Fast decisioning powered by AI models
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Transparent loan terms and pricing
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A smooth, end-to-end digital closing process
This approach reflects how consumers increasingly expect financial services to operate—on their terms, on their schedule, and accessible from anywhere.
For Rize Credit Union, the digital model allows it to scale lending operations efficiently while maintaining the trust, transparency, and member-centric values that define credit unions.
Building on an Existing Relationship
The expanded partnership builds on a relationship that began in May 2024, when Rize Credit Union first joined the Upstart Referral Network to offer personal loans. Since then, the collaboration has demonstrated strong alignment between the two organizations’ goals and values.
Formalizing and expanding the partnership enables Rize to reach more borrowers statewide and deepen its digital lending capabilities. It also supports the credit union’s broader strategy of combining modern technology with its Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) mission.
As a CDFI, Rize Credit Union is dedicated to serving communities that have historically lacked access to fair and affordable financial services. The Upstart partnership helps Rize extend that mission digitally, ensuring geographic location or traditional credit limitations do not become barriers to opportunity.
Leadership Perspective: Lending with Purpose
Jeanine Corpuz, Chief Lending Officer at Rize Credit Union, has emphasized that the partnership with Upstart is not just about growth—it is about purpose.
According to Corpuz, expanding access to personal loans through an AI-driven platform aligns directly with Rize’s mission to uplift local communities and promote long-term financial well-being. By offering responsible credit options to a wider audience, Rize aims to help members and new borrowers manage financial challenges, build credit, and move toward greater economic security.
This philosophy reflects a growing recognition within the credit union industry that innovation and community impact are not mutually exclusive. In fact, when technology is used thoughtfully, it can amplify a credit union’s ability to serve its members more effectively.
Expanding the Credit Union’s Digital Footprint
For Rize Credit Union, the partnership also represents an important step in expanding its digital lending footprint across California. While credit unions have traditionally relied on branch-based relationships, the financial landscape is evolving rapidly.
Consumers increasingly expect digital-first experiences, and competition from fintech lenders has intensified. By leveraging Upstart’s scalable infrastructure and AI analytics, Rize can compete more effectively in this environment while staying true to its cooperative roots.
The digital lending model enables Rize to:
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Grow its personal loan portfolio
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Reach new members beyond its physical branch network
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Operate efficiently at scale
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Maintain strong risk management and underwriting discipline
This balance of growth and responsibility is especially important in today’s uncertain economic climate, where both borrowers and lenders must navigate rising costs and financial volatility.
How Upstart’s AI Marketplace Supports Lenders
Upstart operates one of the largest AI-powered lending marketplaces in the United States, connecting consumers with more than 100 banks and credit unions. Its platform is designed to improve access to credit while enabling lenders to make more informed decisions.
For participating institutions like Rize Credit Union, Upstart provides:
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Advanced AI underwriting models
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Automated application and decisioning workflows
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Data-driven risk assessment
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A steady flow of qualified borrower referrals
These capabilities allow lenders to approve more borrowers at competitive rates without compromising credit quality. The result is a lending ecosystem that benefits both consumers and financial institutions.
Supporting a Broader Range of Borrowers
One of the most meaningful outcomes of the Rize–Upstart partnership is its potential impact on underserved communities. Traditional lending models often exclude individuals who are financially responsible but lack long credit histories or fit neatly into legacy scoring frameworks.
By using alternative data and AI-driven insights, Upstart helps surface borrowers who demonstrate strong repayment potential but may have been denied elsewhere. Rize Credit Union can then extend loan offers that support real financial needs while maintaining responsible lending standards.
This approach aligns closely with the credit union philosophy of people helping people—using innovation not to maximize profits at all costs, but to create sustainable financial pathways for individuals and families.
Strengthening Financial Inclusion Across California
California’s economy is vast and complex, with wide disparities in income, cost of living, and access to financial services. Expanding personal loan access through digital platforms plays a crucial role in addressing these disparities.
For many borrowers, unsecured personal loans can serve as a financial bridge—helping them consolidate high-interest debt, manage emergencies, or invest in opportunities that improve their quality of life.
By making these loans more accessible and easier to obtain, Rize Credit Union is contributing to a more inclusive financial ecosystem where more Californians can participate and thrive.
Looking Ahead: A Model for the Future of Credit Unions
The partnership between Rize Credit Union and Upstart reflects a broader trend shaping the future of credit unions nationwide. As technology evolves and consumer expectations shift, credit unions are finding new ways to blend innovation with mission-driven service.
Digital partnerships like this one demonstrate that credit unions can remain competitive, relevant, and impactful by embracing AI and automation while keeping members at the center of every decision.
For Rize Credit Union, the expanded personal loan offering is just one step in a larger journey toward modern, inclusive banking. As the credit union continues to grow its digital capabilities, it remains focused on its core purpose: helping members and communities achieve lasting financial health.
Conclusion
Rize Credit Union’s expanded partnership with Upstart marks an important milestone in its efforts to broaden access to affordable personal loans across California. By leveraging AI-driven underwriting, a seamless digital experience, and a shared commitment to financial inclusion, the collaboration brings meaningful benefits to borrowers, members, and the broader community.
As more consumers seek flexible, transparent, and accessible credit options, partnerships like this highlight how credit unions can lead with both innovation and integrity. Through technology-enabled lending that stays true to cooperative values, Rize Credit Union is helping shape a more inclusive and resilient financial future for Californians statewide.
CXO Insiders is a platform for C-suite leaders, offering expert insights, industry trends, and strategic guidance. It covers leadership, technology, marketing, HR and operations to support executive decision-making.
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