Winning Together: Partner Bank of the Year

I’m proud to share that Cross River has been named Partner Bank of the Year. Of all the milestones we’ve hit recently, I’m especially humbled by this recognition. Why? Because it reflects who we are at our core: a partner-first bank that builds alongside our partners.

Why this recognition matters

There are banks that can offer similar products, services and compliance support. What makes this honor special is that it validates the way we approach partnership: with sleeves rolled up, shoulder to shoulder, solving problems together and with a long-term view. This award isn’t about us alone—it’s about what can be achieved when banks and fintechs build in unison.

We have redefined what it means to be a partner bank

This milestone gives me a chance to pause and reflect on the incredible partners we’ve had the privilege to build with, the talented teams at Cross River who make it possible, and the end users and customers whose lives are better because of the work we’ve done together.

A recent example that comes to mind is our work with Current on the Build Card. It was so much more than a program we supported; it was engineered from the ground up to help people break out of the credit catch-22. Its changing lives.  

There is our partnership with Best Egg, which dates back over a decade. Together we’ve helped millions of people access affordable credit in times of need. More than $34 billion in loans responsibly extended means individuals and families could repair cars, cover medical bills, or make it through a tough patch without turning to predatory lenders. This is the impact we are making together and driving what we do.

Every product we power is designed to deliver clear, measurable, life-changing outcomes. While our infrastructure lies behind the scenes, the value we create is very tangible. 

This recognition is humbling, and it makes us even more committed to co-creating the future of financial services, one solution at a time. I’m even more excited about what lies ahead in the coming months and years. I’ve always espoused the difference between clients and partners. Clients are short term, they often don’t share the same goals or vision; partners are 100% aligned and they produce outcomes that are more meaningful and impactful.

Here's to many more years of true partnership and incredible outcomes.