Fuse raises $25M for AI loan origination
Fuse closed a $25M Series A to scale an AI‑native loan origination platform aimed at U.S. credit unions — positioning itself as a replacement for legacy systems with faster implementations and embedded ML. Investors are clearly backing AI‑first origination plays in the credit‑union channel. (x.com)
Co‑founders Andres Klaric and Marc Escapa pivoted from an automotive‑lending startup in 2023 to build Fuse’s loan origination software, citing large language models as the catalyst for the product shift. (techcrunch.com) The round drew lead participation from Footwork, Primary Venture Partners, NextView Ventures and Commerce Ventures, with additional checks from FJ Labs and Clocktower Ventures per industry reporting. (fintechfutures.com) Leadership earmarked a separate $5 million “Rescue Fund” that grants the first 50 qualifying institutions full platform access until their existing LOS contracts expire, then moves them to a flat annual subscription with no implementation fees. (businesswire.com) Fuse says its platform is already live at more than 100 financial institutions, naming customers such as Navigant Credit Union (about $4 billion in assets) and community partner Canopy Credit Union (about $200 million in assets). (businesswire.com) A strategic alliance with FIS was publicized in early February 2026 to package Fuse’s origination stack for auto loan and lease channels across banks, captives and credit unions in North America. (equipmentfa.com) Company materials and reporting cite client automation gains of up to 71% in year one, while also arguing that incumbent LOS integrations can take as long as a year and have historically included six‑figure implementation charges and five‑figure configuration fees. (fintechfutures.com) TechCrunch and other outlets identify established LOS targets for displacement as vendors including nCino and MeridianLink, framing Fuse’s go‑to‑market as a migration play that pairs reseller reach with a subsidized onboarding pathway. (techcrunch.com)
