Pathward named Tearsheet Partner Bank of Year
Fintech firms that are expanding product lines, transaction volumes and regulatory responsibilities need a banking partner that can grow alongside them, and Pathward presents itself as that partner.
Infrastructure Paired With Expertise
The bank supplies payments, sponsorships and lending services while also delivering the operational and compliance backbone required for rapid expansion.
With more than two decades of partnership banking experience, the institution processes over $8 billion each day through ACH and wire networks and supports a network of over 1,000 financial-institution partners.
Industry recognition arrived when Tearsheet named the organization Partner Bank of the Year in the 2026 Big Bank Theory Awards.
In a recent interview, Will Sowell, Chief Customer Officer, explained what fintechs look for beyond basic banking rails.
Beyond Infrastructure: Expertise and Partnership
“A great partner bank brings deep industry expertise and a genuine commitment to partnership,” Sowell said. “Our role is not simply to enable programs, but to work alongside partners, offering the guidance and capabilities they need to innovate and grow responsibly.”
He added that trust, collaboration and a focus on sustainable outcomes form the foundation of the strongest relationships.
Supporting Growth Through the Lifecycle
Pathward combines seasoned banking knowledge, operational excellence, consultative risk and compliance frameworks, and a partnership mindset to help clients seize new opportunities.
A long-standing collaboration with TabaPay illustrates this approach. The two began working together in 2020 to speed up payments via Mastercard Move and Visa Direct. A recent amendment added PULSE disbursements for Discover Network-branded cards, expanding the suite to include lending disbursements, cross-border transfers and preferred account funding.
Through dedicated support, fintechs can broaden their offerings while maintaining the operational discipline needed for long-term stability.
Balancing Speed With Risk Management
“Innovation and responsible risk management go hand in hand,” Sowell explained. “We embed risk and compliance considerations into product development and partner collaboration from the outset, helping solutions move forward with the safety, soundness, and regulatory discipline expected of a bank.”
The institution’s experience across multiple regulatory cycles enables it to support programs designed to adapt, scale and endure.
Fintech Expectations Evolve
Fintechs now view their banking partners as strategic allies, seeking earlier engagement, consultative assistance and capabilities that evolve with their business models.
According to Sowell, the biggest shift is that fintechs increasingly expect their bank partners to operate as strategic partners, looking for earlier engagement, more consultative support, and capabilities that can evolve with their businesses. While speed remains important, fintechs are placing greater value on transparency, scalability, and relationships built for long-term growth across multiple products and use cases.
The partnership with Oportun demonstrates this shift. Oportun required infrastructure for both unsecured and secured loans nationwide, plus expertise to develop responsible lending solutions for underserved consumers.
Pathward works closely with Oportun to anticipate challenges, identify opportunities and provide additional expertise, thereby expanding credit access and advancing financial inclusion.
Adapting the Bank’s Model
To meet evolving expectations, the organization has restructured its operating model, aligning growth, customer success, payments capabilities and risk expertise more tightly around partner needs.
By bringing these teams together, it delivers stronger lifecycle support, earlier access to guidance and greater visibility into partner requirements.
These changes aim to boost partner revenue enablement while preserving the stability that large-scale financial operations demand.
