Fifty Years of Innovation, Built in Iowa and Built for Community Financial Institutions
In 2026, SHAZAM® marks 50 years of helping community financial institutions compete, grow and protect the people they serve. That milestone is personal for us. SHAZAM was founded in Iowa, built by financial institutions and shaped by a simple idea: banks and credit unions deserve secure, reliable payments technology designed around their needs.
Long before “financial technology” became a common phrase, SHAZAM was helping change the way people accessed and moved money. From pioneering PIN-debit point-of-sale transactions to introducing a national debit product, our history has always centered on practical innovation — the kind that solves real problems for financial institutions and their accountholders.
This year, that legacy earned special recognition close to home. Last month, SHAZAM received an official SHAZAM, Inc. Innovation Day proclamation from the State of Iowa Governor’s office. We are honored by that recognition because it reflects more than a company anniversary. It recognizes the role Iowa companies can play in building technology that reaches far beyond state lines while staying grounded in local values.
Focused on What Comes Next
Our member-owned model is one of the reasons SHAZAM has stayed focused for five decades. Unlike many providers in financial services, SHAZAM is owned by the financial institutions we serve. Every member financial institution gets a vote, regardless of size. That structure keeps our priorities clear. We are not building for shareholders. We are building for the long-term strength of community banks and credit unions.
That matters now more than ever. The payments environment is moving quickly. Fraud is more complex. Digital banking expectations are higher. New technologies and policy questions are changing how money may move in the future. Community financial institutions need partners who understand their business, respect their independence and give them choice and flexibility.
At SHAZAM, our answer is to keep investing in security and real-world innovation. We are strengthening fraud reduction tools and resilient operations. We are expanding DigiHive™ digital banking so institutions can deliver modern online and mobile experiences without being locked into a single path. We are also integrating with third-party cores to give financial institutions more flexibility in how they serve their accountholders.
We are also looking ahead at issues that could reshape the financial system. For example, SHAZAM has brought together an industry taskforce to examine stablecoins and their potential impact on deposits, local lending and fair competition. Our goal is simple: help community financial institutions have a voice and a clear view of what is coming.
As a company headquartered in Greater Des Moines (DSM), we are proud to be part of Iowa’s innovation story. This community has the talent, work ethic and collaborative spirit that make long-term progress possible. It is a place where companies can build with purpose, grow with integrity and contribute to industries that matter.
We’re carrying that spirit into our 50th anniversary celebration through our 50 Grand Years campaign, contributing $50,000 to nonprofits selected by the clients, business partners and employees who helped shape SHAZAM’s story.
More than 45 organizations across the country have received $1,000 donations, supporting causes ranging from childhood hunger and health and wellness to family services, animal rescue and community financial education.
It is a simple but meaningful way to honor our milestone by strengthening the communities that community financial institutions serve every day.
Fifty years in, I am grateful for the financial institutions, employees, partners and communities that have shaped SHAZAM. Our anniversary is a celebration of what we have built together, but it’s also a commitment to what comes next. We will keep building technology that helps community financial institutions stay secure, competitive and connected to the people who count on them every day.
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