OneUnited Bank Partners with Candescent to Launch Custom Money Management Tools, Driving 33% Surge in Customer Adoption

OneUnited Bank, the largest Black-owned financial institution in the United States, has partnered with fintech innovator Candescent to deploy a suite of customized digital money management tools – resulting in a 33 percent increase in customer adoption.

Leveraging Candescent’s extensible, API-driven banking platform, OneUnited has enhanced its digital offerings with personalized financial wellness resources, streamlined digital account opening, and same-day digital card issuance. The platform’s microservices architecture enables rapid development, seamless scalability, and deep integration with third-party fintech solutions, empowering the bank to deliver a more intuitive and responsive user experience.

As consumer expectations shift toward app-like convenience, community banks face growing competition from digital-first fintechs. “We’re not just competing with other community banks – we’re competing with apps in the App Store,” said Jim Slocum, Chief Information Officer at OneUnited Bank.

“Speed, usability, and relevance to our community’s needs are what matter. With Candescent, we can build and deploy features quickly that truly serve our customers.”

The collaboration supports OneUnited’s mission to advance financial equity for underserved communities. The bank has already integrated AI-powered tools like WiseOne™ Insights, which delivers personalized financial guidance to help users improve credit, manage cash flow, and build generational wealth.

“Extensibility is no longer optional – it’s essential,” said Gareth Gaston, Chief Product Officer at Candescent. “Banks need platforms that are open, flexible, and future-ready.

OneUnited is proving that community-focused institutions can lead in innovation by delivering digital experiences that evolve with their customers.”

This strategic move underscores OneUnited Bank’s commitment to digital transformation while staying rooted in financial inclusion. By combining Candescent’s agile infrastructure with its community-driven mission, the bank is redefining what modern, equitable banking looks like in the digital age.