Shopping for a loan online usually feels about as exciting as reading the terms and conditions on a software update. You click around, squint at numbers that may or may not make sense, and eventually give up and call someone. Not exactly the seamless digital experience we’ve all been trained to expect in 2026.
Connect Credit Union is trying to change that. The South Florida-based institution just tapped Appli—the folks behind what they’re calling the industry’s first AI-powered smart financial calculator—to make loan shopping actually, you know, useful.
A Fresh Website Gets Even Fresher Tools
Connect Credit Union isn’t exactly new to the game. They’ve been serving the Florida Department of Transportation and the wider South Florida community since 1962, with $103 million in assets and a presence across 31 Florida counties through 3 branches. They relaunched their website on July 1st with a sleek new look, and now they’re layering in Appli’s interactive calculators to complete the digital makeover.
Think of it as getting a new outfit and then finding the perfect shoes to match.
“We hadn’t seen anything with a real AI component before, and that’s what caught my attention,” said Ken Barr, Vice President of Marketing at Connect Credit Union. “We had just given our website a fresh new look, so we wanted a calculator that matched it, not just functionally, but visually. If something isn’t engaging, members are less likely to use it, and this felt like the right fit for where we’re headed.”
Making Financial Decisions Less Terrifying
Here’s the thing about money decisions: they’re scary. Whether you’re trying to figure out if you can afford that car payment or wondering what a mortgage would actually look like in real life, the stakes feel high. And traditional loan calculators? They basically spit out a number and wish you luck.
Cynthia Ryan, EVP/COO of Connect Credit Union, gets it. “Financial decisions can feel overwhelming, particularly when members are trying to determine what fits comfortably within their budgets,” she explained. “Appli gives our members an easy, interactive way to explore financial scenarios, better understand their options, and make decisions with greater confidence. This partnership allows us to combine the convenience of technology with the personal service and trusted guidance our members expect from Connect Credit Union.”
Rolling Out Before Labor Day
Connect is planning to launch Appli’s calculators for auto loans, personal loans, mortgages, and balance transfers before September rolls around. And they’re not stopping there—more calculators for additional products will get added over time as they continue building out their digital lending tools.
But here’s what makes this different from your standard “plug in three numbers and get a monthly payment” calculator: it actually shows you what goes into that payment. Barr emphasized this point: “We want members to see more than just the monthly payment. We want them to understand exactly what’s included in that number.”
And if someone doesn’t qualify immediately? Connect still captures their information so they can work with them and help them get to where they need to be. It’s less “computer says no” and more “let’s figure this out together.”
Timing Is Everything
There’s something smart about the timing here. By rolling out these new calculators right after their website relaunch, Connect is creating one cohesive upgrade rather than a Frankenstein situation where tools feel tacked on as an afterthought.
“Connect’s members are digitally savvy, and they expect that from every part of their credit union experience now, not just online banking,” said Tim Pranger, CEO of Appli. “Rolling this out right after their website relaunch means members will see it as part of one connected upgrade, not a separate tool bolted on later.”
In other words, the whole experience should feel intentional—like someone actually thought about the user journey instead of just checking boxes on a digital transformation checklist.