Press

Three Happy Money experts recognized for impact to credit union industry

Fintech leaders named finalists for the 2024 Credit Union Times Luminaries Awards

Happy Money today announced that three of its team members have been named finalists for the 2024 Credit Union Times Luminaries Awards: COO Adam Zarlengo in the Executive Leadership category and Mandi Sinner and Nick Pesce in the Rising Star category.

The Credit Union Times Luminaries Awards highlight the individuals, teams, projects and organizations that are changing the financial services industry where it matters most. The three Happy Money team members have been recognized because:

Adam Zarlengo’s strategic insight and strong leadership have propelled Happy Money forward over the last decade, helping credit unions across the country attract new members and grow with high-performing assets. Under his leadership, Happy Money has originated over $6 billion in loans in partnership with credit unions, serving nearly 300,000 members.
Mandi Sinner, Senior Director of Partner Experience, has built strong, strategic credit union relationships and is enabling them to be a force for good throughout their communities. Mandi has helped transform partnership management and operations at Happy Money, contributing to overall company momentum.
Nick Pesce, Director of Product, has helped evolve Happy Money’s product and platform, bringing technology enhancements to market that enable credit unions to fund personal loans more effectively and create lasting impact. Nick’s work is empowering credit unions to grow and compete, unlocking greater financial happiness for members.

Happy Money has created a new growth category that allows community-focused financial institutions to strengthen their portfolios while empowering consumers to meet their goals through responsible, digitally-optimized loans. By leveraging modern technology and proprietary underwriting models, Happy Money partners with banks, credit unions and asset manners to fulfill personal loans at scale.

“Happy Money enables people to use money as a tool for their happiness while simultaneously empowering institutions to grow through personal loans. Such impact would not be possible without the dedication and significant contributions of individuals like Adam, Mandi and Nick,” said Matt Potere, CEO of Happy Money. “Their strategic insights, desire to constantly improve and passion for helping others are unmatched, helping to drive the Happy Money mission forward. We are proud to be recognized by Credit Union Times for their efforts.”

Winners from each category will be announced live at the 2024 CU Times Luminaries Awards gala on Nov. 7 at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort in Orlando, Fla. More information about the all-day event can be found here.

About Happy Money

Happy Money is designing a happier way of lending that helps borrowers achieve their goals and helps credit unions achieve greater impact. Backed by leading investors, Happy Money has helped over 300,000 members since inception – working with community-focused lending partners to fund more than $6 billion in loans. Visit happymoney.com for more.