Zest AI

67% of lenders will have GenAI strategies in place by 2026—faster than any tech wave before it. And the momentum isn’t slowing down. In this month’s newsletter, we dig into what’s driving this rapid adoption and share practical tools to help lenders make AI not just powerful, but responsible, measurable, and fair. You’ll find: • Key insights from new GenAI in banking research • What to ask when evaluating AI lenders and credit risk models • A build-vs-buy checklist for choosing the right modeling approach … and more! If you’re shaping your 2026 AI roadmap, this one’s a must-read. Dive into the full newsletter and subscribe to get next month’s edition delivered to your inbox.

Congratulations to our esteemed board member Rodney E. Hood on receiving the American Fintech Council's Federal Public Service Award! 🎉 Holding former roles as Acting Comptroller of the Currency, Chairman of the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), and Director of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Rodney has been a tireless champion for responsible innovation in financial services. His leadership has helped bridge the gap between financial services oversight and the transformative technology to expand financial access. Thank you, Rodney, for your public service, your guidance, and your unwavering dedication to improving financial opportunity. We're proud to have you on our board and grateful for your continued leadership in shaping a better financial future for all. #Fintech #FinancialInclusion #ResponsibleInnovation #Leadership Read the full release here: https://lnkd.in/gnMgss9Z

Nearly 3 in 4 Americans want AI to enhance their banking experience. But where and how do they want AI to improve their bank? That’s another question. While detecting fraud is the #1 desired use case, 1 in 4 Americans want AI to make credit more affordable, and nearly half find the approval process “painfully long.” Read Zest AI’s America’s Opportunity Gap report to get an up-close look at America’s attitude towards AI in financial services, economic policy, trends in financial behavior, and more: https://lnkd.in/gAyEGBX2

The financial services industry is entering its GenAI era—but what separates experimentation from transformation? In 2026, 83% of lenders will increase GenAI budgets—and 41% plan boosts over 5%. Which areas of lending will see the biggest lift from GenAI first: risk management, compliance, or customer experience? How are financial institutions balancing innovation with evolving regulatory expectations? … And will spreadsheets EVER go away? Read the new Celent report, commissioned by Zest AI, to answer these questions and more—revealing where leaders are finding real ROI from GenAI and how fast the competitive window is closing. Download the report today: https://lnkd.in/g8AhGExp

Today, we pause to honor the veterans who have served and continue to serve our country—especially the members of our Zest AI community and the many veterans across the financial services industry. Your dedication, courage, and leadership embody the values we strive to uphold every day: integrity, resilience, and service to others. From all of us at Zest AI: thank you for your service and sacrifice. #VeteransDay ❤️

Complex data. Slow reporting. Missed opportunities. Sound familiar? Todd Peeples MBA, PMP, CCE, SVP of Sales and Lending at All In Credit Union, shares how GenAI is cutting through the complexity—speeding up reporting times and helping his team focus on what really matters. When data lives in silos, insight takes weeks. With GenAI, it takes hours. Read the full case study for insights into how All In Credit Union is transforming its lending processes with AI: https://lnkd.in/gW8gxTG4 #CreditUnions #GenerativeAI #AIinLending #Fintech

Today we’re announcing a customer-led financing round, led by five of our key customers: Citi, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, Members 1st Federal Credit Union, ORNL Federal Credit Union, and Truliant Federal Credit Union. The investment reflects a significant valuation increase and growing momentum as more lenders replace legacy underwriting with AI-driven solutions. The new capital will accelerate automation initiatives and expand LuLu, our Generative AI-powered lending intelligence platform, across financial institutions and regulatory agencies. 👉 Read the full release to learn how Zest AI is powering the next era of intelligent lending: https://lnkd.in/g-eh-GQe

When it comes to the economy, Americans across the political spectrum agree on one thing: strain. Zest AI’s latest survey found that overwhelming majorities of both Democrats (89%) and Republicans (83%) say recent economic conditions or policy changes are hurting them. The pain points, though, don’t always look the same: Democrats are more likely to point to tariffs, student loan policies, and SNAP changes—reflecting concerns that often affect younger generations. Republicans highlight inflation and interest rates more heavily. But beneath those differences lies a shared reality for mainstreet Americans: fewer opportunities. Explore the full findings in America’s Opportunity Gap Report: https://lnkd.in/gAyEGBX2 #FinancialInclusion

Behind Zest AI’s smart technology and a passion for lending… is a team that doesn’t mind being a little extra (especially at Halloween). 🎃 The Zest AI team voted for their favorite pet costumes this year, and now it’s your turn to pick the winner! Comment with an emoji to crown this year’s Halloween costume champion. 👇 🍔 Rocky: the definition of “Animal Style” 🎃 Noodle: the cutest Jack-o’-Lantern 💜 Frankzilla: the ultimate cuddle monster 🍸 Chucktini: shaken and stirred 🐌: Bob, the fanciest snail 🥖 🐝 Beenie: the busiest bee AI can make lending smarter. But can it choose the best pet costume? We’ll leave that one to you. Happy Halloween from the Zest AI team! 🧡 #Culture #PetsOfLinkedIn #Fintech #Halloween