Press Release

Metro Credit Union Partners with Illuma to Deliver Frictionless, Secure Voice Authentication

Metro Credit Union, Massachusetts’ largest state-chartered credit union serving nearly 200,000  members, has partnered with Illuma, the leader in voice authentication solutions, to enhance security and streamline member authentication. Through this collaboration, Metro Credit Union will integrate IllumaSHIELD™, an advanced voice authentication platform, to improve security, reduce fraud, and enhance the overall member experience.

As financial fraud and identity theft continue to rise, Metro Credit Union remains committed to safeguarding its members’ financial assets and personal information. IllumaSHIELD™ offers a seamless, secure, and frictionless authentication process by verifying members’ identities based on unique voice characteristics, eliminating the need for cumbersome security questions and passwords.

“With our members’ security being a top priority, we are excited to partner with Illuma to implement cutting-edge voice authentication technology,” said Traci Michel, Chief Operating Officer & Chief Strategy Officer, Metro Credit Union. “This partnership will significantly enhance our ability to protect member accounts while providing a faster, more convenient authentication experience.”

IllumaSHIELD™ leverages state-of-the-art artificial intelligence and machine learning to create an effortless yet highly secure authentication process. The solution enables Metro Credit Union members to access their accounts with just their voice, reducing call center wait times and enhancing overall operational efficiency.

“We are proud to collaborate with Metro Credit Union to bring next-generation voice authentication to its members,” said Milind Borkar, CEO and Founder of Illuma. “Our mission is to deliver seamless security solutions that enhance trust and convenience, and this partnership is a testament to our commitment to innovation in financial services.”

The integration of IllumaSHIELD™ reinforces Metro Credit Union’s commitment to adopting innovative security solutions that enhance member trust and streamline banking experiences. Members can expect a more secure and convenient way to access their accounts while minimizing the risk of fraud and unauthorized access.

About Illuma

Illuma is a FinTech company headquartered in Plano, Texas. Illuma is a leader in real-time voice authentication and fraud prevention for financial institutions. Its flagship solution, IllumaSHIELD™, uses AI-powered voice biometrics to deliver secure, seamless authentication, reducing fraud risks while improving efficiency in contact centers. 

IllumaSHIELD™ has been featured at premier FinTech events like FinovateSpring 2025 and FinovateFall 2024 winning ‘Best in Show’ at both. Illuma has also earned multiple accolades, including ‘Best in Show’ at VentureTech 2019, the 2022 CreditUnions.com Innovation Series Award in the Member Experience category, the 2022 NACUSO Next Big Idea Competition for leadership in financial technology innovation. For more information, visit https://illuma.cx. 

About Metro Credit Union

Metro Credit Union is the largest state-chartered credit union in Massachusetts, with $3.4 billion in assets. Metro provides a full range of financial products to close to 200,000 members in Barnstable, Bristol, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, and Worcester counties in Massachusetts, and Cheshire, Hillsborough, Merrimack, Rockingham, and Strafford counties in New Hampshire. Metro is the credit union of choice for employees at over 1,200 companies through its Metro@work program. Founded in 1926, Metro currently operates branch offices in Boston, Burlington, Chelsea, Dorchester, Framingham, Lawrence, Lynn, Medford, Melrose, Newton, Peabody, Reading, Salem, Tewksbury, and West Roxbury. Metro is also a Juntos Avanzamos (“Together We Advance”) designated credit union, an honor given to financial institutions for their commitment to serving and empowering Hispanic and immigrant consumers. Metro was recently named among the most charitable companies in Massachusetts by the Boston Business Journal; voted Top Credit Union in Banker & Tradesman’s Best of 2024 awards; and recognized as one of America’s Best Regional Banks and Credit Unions in 2025 by Newsweek. Learn more at MetroCU.org.