# Tony Boutelle

> Tony Boutelle is the founding leader, president and CEO of Origence, the credit union-owned lending technology business established in 1994 as Credit Union Direct Lending. His career spans credit union leagues, CUNA Mutual Group, a nationwide dealer-lender network, and embedded financing through FI Connect.

- **Role:** President and CEO at Origence
- **Organizations:** Origence (formerly CU Direct / Credit Union Direct Lending), Colorado Credit Union League, California Credit Union League, CUNA Mutual Group
- **Education:** Bachelor of Business Administration, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- **Known for:** Led Origence from its 1994 founding through its expansion into indirect lending, origination software, and lending services., Origence’s platforms facilitated $62 billion in loan fundings in 2025., FI Connect participating credit unions financed $1 billion in Tesla EV loans in 2024.

## Career timeline

- **1985** — Began his credit union industry career at the Colorado Credit Union League.
- **1987** — Joined the California Credit Union League.
- **1991** — Moved to CUNA Mutual Group.
- **1994** — Returned to the California Credit Union League to start CU Direct Corporation, now Origence; led the organization from founding.
- **2023** — Accepted NACUSO’s CUSO of the Year Distinguished Services Award on behalf of Origence.
- **2024** — Marked Origence’s 30th anniversary at Lending Tech Live in San Diego.
- **2026** — Received the California Credit Union League’s Distinguished Service Award, announced October 8.

## Achievements

- Led Origence from its 1994 founding through its expansion into indirect lending, origination software, and lending services.
- Origence’s platforms facilitated $62 billion in loan fundings in 2025.
- FI Connect participating credit unions financed $1 billion in Tesla EV loans in 2024.
- Received the California Credit Union League’s Distinguished Service Award in 2026.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — Origence announced his receipt of the California Credit Union League’s Distinguished Service Award.
- **2026-06** — Discussed AI-enabled document processing, lending trends, and future lending opportunities in a Lending Tech Live interview.
- **2026-02** — Origence reported $62 billion in 2025 fundings, up 17%, and 89 new or expanded credit union contracts.

## Links

- Website: https://origence.com/team/tony-boutelle/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-boutelle-4912a613

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/tony-boutelle
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-23