SHF (US:SHFS) Globenewswire·2025-09-02 11:00Core Insights - Safe Harbor Financial has launched the Fully Managed Cannabis Banking Program, the first of its kind, providing operational and compliance outsourcing for financial institutions serving the cannabis market [1][3][4] - The program aims to help community banks and credit unions enter the legal cannabis market without the need for additional staffing or risk management [2][4] Company Overview - Safe Harbor Financial is a fintech leader focused on providing financial services to the regulated cannabis industry, having processed over $26 billion in cannabis-related deposits across 41 U.S. states and territories [4][6] - The company has been operating a similar model privately since 2015 and is now expanding its services to additional financial institutions nationwide [4][6] Program Features - The program includes complete operational outsourcing, managing all aspects from client acquisition to compliance oversight, allowing partner institutions to hold deposits without direct involvement in cannabis services [2][7] - It offers a reputational shield by operating under the Safe Harbor brand, insulating financial institutions from direct association with cannabis [7] - The program is designed to improve efficiency ratios by minimizing startup costs and operational overhead, enabling stronger margins for both financial institutions and cannabis businesses [7] Strategic Importance - The launch comes at a time when financial institutions are increasingly looking for compliant and scalable ways to serve the cannabis market while navigating regulatory complexities [3][4] - Safe Harbor's CEO emphasized the program's role in providing a proven, compliant path to growth for financial institutions interested in cannabis banking [3]