Urban FT Group, a fintech provider, is launching Community Access, an agent bank program that delivers financial tools on mobile banking for community banks’ consumer and commercial customers, reports Henry Vilar of Fintech Futures (Finovate’s sister publication).

Richard Steggall, Urban FT CEO, said: “With Community Access, community banks can truly compete with the bigger, national banks by offering a product that serves their entire communities with tools, features and support. This program doesn’t just empower the underdogs, it puts them on an entirely new path when it comes to reach and the ability to serve new demographics.”

The official launch of Community Access is taking place at ICBA Live in Nashville in cooperation with ICBA Bancard, the payment services subsidiary of the Independent Community Bankers of America, and Mastercard.

Heather Schumacher, newly appointed Urban FT COO, will oversee the deployment and support of this program as it reaches “untapped demographics”. Schumacher is the former COO of Sunrise Banks and comes comes to Urban FT with over 11 years of experience in card issuing, platform operations and program delivery.

The program features a managed card service for community banks that includes program setup and compliance, card issuance and fulfillment, instant account opening and cardholder support.

ICBA member banks can take advantage of special pricing and incentives provided by Urban FT and Mastercard. Additionally, ICBA members will have access to Urban FT’s full suite of digital banking and digital payment services, such as consumer and commercial RDC.

Urban FT demonstrated the Workshop, a real time, multi-tier mobile app management platform, at FinovateFall 2016. The company was founded in 2013 and is headquartered in New York City.