Safe Harbor Launches Cannabis Industry’s First Complete Financial Solutions Platform

Rhea-AI Summary

Safe Harbor (NASDAQ: SHFS) launched the cannabis industry’s first comprehensive financial solutions platform on November 17, 2025, expanding beyond its compliant banking program to add lending, operational services, and strategic finance.

The platform packages four pillars—Bank, Borrow, Operate, and Grow—to provide accounts, digital tools, broader lending options, portfolio resale support for financial institutions, outsourced bookkeeping/payroll/merchant services, and fractional CFO, 280E guidance and M&A advisory.

The launch builds on Safe Harbor’s September 2025 debut of a Fully Managed Cannabis Banking Program, recent board and senior-team changes, added capital, and reduced operating expenses. The company also launched a new website at shfinancial.org.

Positive

• Comprehensive platform launched on November 17, 2025
• Fully Managed Cannabis Banking Program launched in September 2025

Negative

• None.

Insights

Senior Fintech Strategist

Safe Harbor launched a broad financial platform for cannabis operators and banks, expanding services beyond banking to lending, operations and advisory.

Safe Harbor expands from a banking-only model into a multi-service financial platform that bundles compliant accounts, lending, operational services and strategic finance under one brand.

Key dependencies and risks include regulatory uncertainty, the ability to scale compliant operations, and partner execution; successful uptake requires continued regulatory-safe controls and demand from both operators and financial institutions.

Watch platform adoption rates, loan portfolio composition and underwriting standards, third-party reseller arrangements with banks, and operational-margin trends over the next 12–24 months from Nov. 17, 2025.

Platform helps operators bank, borrow, operate and grow, improving access to capital, operational efficiency and long-term stability across the cannabis industry

DENVER, Nov. 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SHF Holdings, Inc., d/b/a Safe Harbor (the “Company”) (NASDAQ: SHFS), a fintech leader in providing banking, lending and financial services to the regulated cannabis and hemp industries, announced the launch of the cannabis industry’s first comprehensive financial solutions platform. The platform is designed to help operators bank, borrow, operate and grow with greater clarity, control and financial stability.

Ten years ago, Safe Harbor created the nation’s first compliant cannabis banking program, giving operators safe access to the financial system. Today, the Company is expanding beyond its banking foundation to address the industry’s broader financial health needs. Cannabis operators continue to face uncertain policy, complex regulations, high taxes and limited access to qualified financial support. The platform brings key financial functions together under one brand, delivered by Safe Harbor along with trusted industry strategic partners.

Safe Harbor Financial Solutions Platform overview:

Bank: Safe Harbor continues to provide compliant financial access for licensed cannabis operators, including secure accounts, digital access tools, payment support, cash logistics coordination and detailed reporting for audit and regulatory needs.

Borrow: The Company has broadened its lending program to include more flexible options for established cannabis operators, making capital more accessible across the industry. In addition, Safe Harbor will support financial institutions in reselling cannabis-related loans and managing portfolio risk, enabling greater capital flow into the sector.

Operate: Safe Harbor now offers operational and financial support services such as bookkeeping, payroll, reporting, collections, cash management, merchant services, HR, insurance, logistics and other cannabis solutions.

Grow: The platform also includes strategic finance and advisory services, including fractional CFO support, forecasting, budgeting, valuations, investor preparation, multi-entity structuring, 280E guidance and M&A support.

Together, these solutions give cannabis businesses the flexibility to strengthen their existing finance teams or fill in gaps where support is needed. For operators that prefer a more comprehensive approach, the platform can also serve as a fully outsourced financial solution. The combined services are intended to help businesses gain end-to-end financial clarity and control more efficiently and cost-effectively.

“This is a transformational moment for Safe Harbor and for the cannabis industry,” said Terry Mendez, CEO of Safe Harbor. “We have expanded from a single-service provider into a multi-service financial platform that supports day-to-day operations as well as long-term planning and oversight. Our goal is to help operators navigate a challenging environment with clearer information and more reliable financial infrastructure as we move toward becoming the SoFi of cannabis.”

This announcement builds on a series of major milestones for Safe Harbor in 2025 and further reinforces its position as the cannabis industry’s go-to financial partner. In September, the company launched the industry’s first Fully Managed Cannabis Banking Program for financial institutions; a turnkey platform that enables banks and credit unions to offer cannabis banking with minimal overhead, reduced risk and no reputational exposure. Under CEO Terry Mendez’s leadership, Safe Harbor has evolved from the original cannabis banking pioneer — credited with unlocking the U.S. banking system for legal operators — into a Nasdaq-listed fintech platform supporting both operators and financial institutions. Over the past year, the Company has restructured its board, expanded its senior team, secured additional capital and reduced operating expenses, positioning the Company for long-term sector leadership.

The launch coincides with the debut of Safe Harbor’s new website at shfinancial.org, where cannabis operators can explore the full suite of financial solutions.

About Safe Harbor
Safe Harbor is a cannabis-exclusive financial platform delivering smarter banking, lending, payments and business services tailored to how the cannabis industry actually operates. As one of the original pioneers of compliant cannabis banking in the U.S., Safe Harbor has facilitated more than $26 billion in cannabis-related transactions across 41 states and territories. Through its proprietary Cannabis Banking Solutions™ Platform and network of regulated financial institution partners, Safe Harbor empowers cannabis operators to gain clarity, control and confidence in their financial operations. From daily banking to long-term growth, Safe Harbor provides real solutions and personal support — built exclusively for cannabis. Safe Harbor is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services are provided by our partner financial institutions. For more information, visit shfinancial.org.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:
Certain information contained in this press release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements other than statements of historical facts included herein may constitute forward-looking statements and are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to Safe Harbor’s ability to satisfy the required conditions to utilize the ELOC, market conditions that may impact Safe Harbor’s ability to access the ELOC on acceptable terms or at all, the possibility that the ELOC may not be fully utilized, expected use of proceeds from the ELOC, trends in the cannabis industry, including proposed changes in U.S and state laws, rules, regulations and guidance relating to Safe Harbor’s services; Safe Harbor’s growth prospects and Safe Harbor’s market size; Safe Harbor’s projected financial and operational performance, including relative to its competitors and historical performance; success or viability of new product and service offerings Safe Harbor may introduce in the future; the impact volatility in the capital markets, which may adversely affect the price of Safe Harbor’s securities; the outcome of any legal proceedings that have been or may be brought by or against Safe Harbor; and other statements regarding Safe Harbor’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “outlook,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would,” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described from time to time in Safe Harbor’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Safe Harbor undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement made herein. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release.

Safe Harbor Investor Relations Contact: 
ir@SHFinancial.org

Safe Harbor Media Relations Contact:
safeharbor@kcsa.com

FAQ

What did Safe Harbor (SHFS) announce on November 17, 2025?

Safe Harbor announced the launch of a comprehensive financial solutions platform covering banking, lending, operations and strategic finance for cannabis operators.

How does the Safe Harbor platform help cannabis operators (SHFS)?

It offers four pillars—Bank, Borrow, Operate, Grow—including compliant accounts, expanded lending, bookkeeping, payroll, cash logistics, and CFO/advisory services.

What is Safe Harbor’s Fully Managed Cannabis Banking Program and when did it launch?

A turnkey program enabling banks and credit unions to offer cannabis banking with reduced overhead and risk; it launched in September 2025.

Where can investors and operators find Safe Harbor’s new platform details?

Details and the full suite are available on Safe Harbor’s website at shfinancial.org.

Does Safe Harbor (SHFS) provide lending and capital solutions for cannabis businesses?

Yes; the company broadened its lending program to offer more flexible options and supports loan resale and portfolio risk management for financial institutions.