The recent release of new guidance by the Fed, FDIC, OCC, and NCUA encourages banks and credit unions to explore responsible small-dollar loans (SDL) with fintech lenders. This shift in approach is driven by the need for financial institutions to adapt to a fast-changing financial landscape, where consumers increasingly rely on technology to manage their finances. With new technologies, such as direct deposit information and real-time consumer data, banks can improve credit access and stand out in a competitive market. However, traditional credit scores may become less predictive for lenders assessing a consumer's ability to repay, and alternative methods like analyzing fluid, real-time data, such as cash flow, are being explored. Fintech partners, like Plaid, can support community banks in offering SDLs by providing access to more holistic financial data, enabling lenders to make more informed credit decisions.