Five community banks and credit unions will immediately launch Malauzai Apple Watch Apps, joined by some less notable financial institutions/platforms such as Citibank, Fidelity, and Mint.com.

Why are small institutions taking the lead with the Apple watch?  This is an opportunity to make a statement-we can not only keep up in technology, we can lead.  

Here’s what they have to say in their own words: http://bit.ly/1H7Hhdf.

There is a definite trend — Community FIs taking the lead in tech.  Community institutions took the lead in fraud controls by giving consumers the ability to turn cards on and off two years ago.  They are aggressively adopting P2P payments.  Now they are leading with the Apple Watch.  What’s next?

Stay tuned.  It should get interesting.