# CU Direct

> CU Direct Corporation, doing business as Origence, is a credit-union-owned lending technology company founded in 1994. Its CUDL network connects credit unions and auto dealerships, while its arc software, lending operations services and FI Connect subsidiary support loan origination, digital applications and embedded financing across the United States.

- **Founded:** 1994
- **Headquarters:** Irvine, United States
- **Founders:** Tony Boutelle (Founding CEO; started CU Direct at the California Credit Union League in 1994), The Golden 1 Credit Union (Co-founding institution and initial capital provider), California Credit Union League (Co-founding institution and initial capital provider)
- **Products:** CUDL, AutoSMART, Origence arc OS, Origence arc DX, Origence arc MX
- **Notable:** Reported $62 billion in total 2025 fundings, up 17% from 2024., Reported more than $656 billion in total fundings since inception by February 2026., CUDL reported $48 billion in indirect loan funding in 2025; this is a subset of company-wide volume.

## Products & services

- **CUDL** — Indirect auto lending network connecting credit unions and dealerships; credit unions retain dealer selection and underwriting control.
- **AutoSMART** — Credit-union-branded online vehicle shopping connected to dealer inventory and financing.
- **Origence arc OS** — Loan and deposit account origination system with configurable workflows and automated decisioning; successor to Lending 360.
- **Origence arc DX** — Borrower-facing digital applications with document upload, identity verification and electronic signatures.
- **Origence arc MX** — Marketing automation and member communications, formerly Intuvo.
- **Origence Lending Services** — Outsourced underwriting, loan processing, document handling, calls and required notices; CU Direct Connect adopted this name in 2022.
- **FI Connect** — Licensed finance subsidiary that embeds financing in retailer purchase journeys and purchases and places contracts with credit union partners.
- **Document Processing Automation** — AI and machine-learning tools for extracting, classifying and checking lending documents.
- **Hello Refi** — FI Connect auto refinance offering launched with 47 credit union clients in October 2026.

## Achievements

- Reported $62 billion in total 2025 fundings, up 17% from 2024.
- Reported more than $656 billion in total fundings since inception by February 2026.
- CUDL reported $48 billion in indirect loan funding in 2025; this is a subset of company-wide volume.
- 2023 NACUSO CUSO of the Year award, as described in the Tesla partnership release.
- Reached its 30th anniversary in 2024.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — October 1: launched auto refinance brand Hello Refi under FI Connect with 47 credit union clients.
- **2026-03** — In a March 10 interview, Tony Boutelle discussed FI Connect expansion beyond auto into home equity and construction-related channels.
- **2026-02** — February 26: reported $62 billion in 2025 fundings, 89 new or expanded credit union contracts, and more than $656 billion in cumulative funding.
- **2025-06** — Announced Alloy identity and fraud prevention partnership.

## Links

- Website: https://origence.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/origencecompany/
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/origencecompany
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/origenceco/

---

Profile page: https://yespress.io/cu-direct
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-24