Renters dreaming of owning a home might soon have an easier path, thanks to a new partnership between OneUnited Bank and credit-building platform Esusu. In honor of Financial Literacy Month, the nation’s largest Black-owned bank is teaming up with Esusu to turn monthly rent payments into a tool for building credit—and ultimately, a stepping stone to buying a home.
The partnership aims to make it easier for renters to improve their credit scores simply by paying their rent on time. Those payments will now be reported to all three major credit bureaus, helping renters boost their credit and qualify for better financial products, including mortgages.
“This alliance is all about empowering renters with the financial tools they need to turn their homeownership dreams into reality,” said Teri Williams, President and COO of OneUnited Bank. “For decades, our mission has been to promote financial empowerment for everyone, and this collaboration with Esusu is an important step in that direction.”
Esusu, which has already helped more than 200,000 renters establish a credit score—many for the first time—says renters using the platform typically see their credit scores jump by an average of 45 points. That kind of increase can mean lower interest rates, better loan offers, and more doors opening financially.
“Financial literacy is the key to achieving stability,” added Wemimo Abbey and Samir Goel, co-CEOs of Esusu. “This collaboration is all about equipping renters with the knowledge they need to navigate their journey to homeownership.”
The partnership will also give renters using Esusu access to OneUnited’s AI-powered financial tools through the app, offering personalized money tips and support. For OneUnited customers, rent reporting will now be available as a feature, turning what’s usually seen as just another monthly expense into a powerful credit-building opportunity.
“Recognizing rent payments as a valid form of credit building can truly change lives,” Williams said.
OneUnited Bank operates branches in California, Florida, and Massachusetts. In South Florida, where Black and Caribbean American communities often face systemic barriers to homeownership, this partnership offers a meaningful pathway to build credit and generational wealth through rent payments.
This is Esusu’s first-ever collaboration with a bank, marking a big step forward in efforts to close the racial wealth gap and support underserved communities with smart, tech-driven financial solutions.
