Zelle® Expands Rapid Payments to 337 More Community Banks and Credit Unions in 2025

NEW YORK — In a major development for digital banking and instant payments, Zelle® – the widely used real-time money transfer service – has significantly expanded its reach across the United States in 2025. According to a press release published by PR Newswire, a total of 337 financial institutions either went live with Zelle or signed agreements to offer the service to their customers in 2025, marking a notable acceleration in adoption among smaller banks and credit unions.

Strong Adoption Among Community Banks and Credit Unions

The newest figures show that the overwhelming majority — approximately 97% — of the financial institutions that joined the Zelle network in 2025 were community banks and credit unions with assets under $10 billion. These community-focused financial institutions play a critical role in serving everyday consumers, small business owners, and regional communities across the U.S.

Community banks and credit unions often serve customers in both rural and urban settings — including farmers, teachers, flight attendants, small business owners, and historically underserved populations. The continued expansion of Zelle into these institutions means that millions more Americans will soon have access to fast, secure, and convenient digital payments.

Millions of New Eligible Accounts

In addition to the number of institutions, the 2025 expansion also translates into a significant increase in potential users. Zelle’s growth over the past year has resulted in at least 13 million more bank and credit union accounts becoming eligible to send and receive money using the service. These accounts span across 46 U.S. states and territories, broadening the geographic footprint of one of America’s most popular person-to-person payment networks.

Before this latest expansion, Zelle was already integrated with thousands of financial institutions — helping customers avoid cash or checks by enabling instant transfers directly between bank accounts. With the new additions, the network’s total size and coverage continues to grow rapidly.

How Zelle Is Transforming Digital Payments

Zelle’s platform is designed to enable near-instant payments between bank accounts in the United States, providing consumers and small business owners with an easy alternative to traditional payment methods or third-party apps. The service is typically integrated directly into a bank or credit union’s own mobile app or online banking experience, offering convenience and security.

Unlike some payment apps that require separate accounts or external wallets, Zelle functions within a user’s normal banking profile, which helps simplify peer-to-peer payments, bill splitting, and money transfers between family members and business associates. Increased adoption among smaller financial institutions helps expand this functionality to people who might not have had access previously.

Benefits for Customers and Institutions

For customers, the growing Zelle network means:

• Faster money movement directly from bank to bank
• No need for cash, checks, or physical payment devices
• Direct integration with banking apps they already use

For small community banks and credit unions, the benefits include:

• Competitive digital payment offerings
• Increased customer satisfaction
• Ability to retain and attract digitally-minded customers

By helping more small institutions adopt real-time payments, Zelle supports a broader transformation in how Americans send and receive money on a daily basis.

Industry Context and Growth Trends

The rise of instant payment services like Zelle aligns with changing consumer expectations in financial services. Customers increasingly demand speed, transparency, and convenience when managing their money digitally. Real-time payments are becoming a standard expectation, not a luxury.

While large national banks were early adopters of services like Zelle, the latest expansion underscores a trend toward broader inclusivity — bringing advanced payment technology even to smaller local institutions. This helps strengthen the competitive position of community banks and credit unions alongside larger national banks.

Looking Ahead: Continued Expansion

Zelle’s parent organizations and partners have indicated that the focus on growth — particularly among community institutions — will continue. The expanding network positions Zelle not only as a dominant player in person-to-person payments but also as a key platform for future innovations in digital financial services.

With millions of additional accounts now eligible, everyday users across the United States are poised to enjoy faster and more seamless payment experiences than ever before.