C

Casca

AI-powered loan origination platform for banks

Head of Security & Compliance

Full-Time
$230k - $300k/yr+ Potential equity
Senior, Expert
San Francisco, CA, USA
In Person
CybersecuritySecurity Engineering & Architecture, Security Governance, Risk & Compliance

About the job

Requirements
  • At least 5 years of experience in progressive security roles, including at least 2 years at a B2B technology, fintech, or highly regulated SaaS company.
  • Strong fundamentals in secure software development lifecycle, cloud security (AWS/GCP), web security, and DevSecOps practices.
  • Ability to develop lightweight, durable security policies, access controls, and data governance frameworks.
  • Proven track record of owning SOC 2 Type II and/or ISO 27001 compliance.
  • Ability to review a penetration test, debate architecture with a lead engineer, and present to a bank's chief information security officer.
  • Experience leading incidents end to end and driving the resulting fixes.
  • Experience in fintech or banking.
  • Ability to commit to occasional periods of extra focus and flexibility during major launches and high-impact sprints.
Responsibilities
  • Build security tooling and processes for engineers, including internal mechanisms for application security, identity and access management, and threat detection that integrate into the team's shipping processes.
  • Manage, mentor, and grow the application security engineering team; mature secure software development lifecycle, threat modeling, and vulnerability management processes.
  • Partner with Engineering and Product to establish security architecture for AI-driven workflows, protect data privacy, mitigate AI-specific vulnerabilities, and maintain safe agentic identity.
  • Partner with go-to-market and legal teams on compliance and customer-driven initiatives; own and expand the SOC 2, SOC 1, and ISO 27001 compliance roadmap.
  • Build the detection pipeline, serve as primary incident commander, and turn incidents into systemic improvements.
Desired Qualifications
  • Experience securing large language model usage for coding and in-product use cases, and mitigating agentic-system risks such as unauthorized autonomous actions, prompt injection, and data poisoning.

About the company

C

Casca

View
Website

Casca is a B2B fintech that provides an AI-native loan origination system for banks and lenders. It automates and streamlines lending with features such as digital loan applications, applicant tracking, and automated underwriting. The platform surfaces pre-screened loan opportunities and supports end-to-end loan workflow, from application to decisioning. Casca differentiates itself by offering AI-powered automation tailored to the banking sector, aiming to reduce manual work and speed up underwriting processes for financial institutions. The company’s goal is to help lenders operate more efficiently, capture value in the lending market, and grow through its AI-driven, banking-focused software as a service. Founded by Stanford alumni and backed by pre-seed funding, Casca positions itself as a practical, credit-automation solution for traditional lenders adopting digital processes.

Company Size

51-200

Company Stage

Series A

Total Funding

$33M

Headquarters

San Francisco, California

Founded

2023

Get referred to Casca

See people who can refer or advise you

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Celtic Bank partnership expands Casca into a top-ten SBA 7(a) lender on April 29, 2026.
  • Casca raised $29 million Series A, totaling $33 million, with bank insiders.
  • Live Oak and Huntington endorsements signal credible demand from regulated lenders in 2026.

What critics are saying

  • nCino launched AI underwriting and agentic lending tools in June and August 2026.
  • Casca still lacks disclosed volume targets from Celtic Bank, limiting proof of conversion.
  • If banks standardize on nCino, Casca becomes a replaceable point solution.

What makes Casca unique

  • Casca deployed at Celtic Bank in April 2026, cutting SBA setup to weeks.
  • Live Oak and Huntington already use Casca for SBA 7(a) workflows in 2026.
  • Casca automates document collection, financial spreading, and compliance for commercial lending.

Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?

Benefits

  • Company Equity
  • Professional Development Budget

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

-1%

1 year growth

3%

2 year growth

7%
PR Newswire
Aug 7th, 2026
Casca wins 2026 Tearsheet AI Product of the Year Award.

Casca wins 2026 Tearsheet AI Product of the Year Award. Aug 07, 2026, 08:00 ET AI-native lending platform recognized for expanding banks' ability to serve small businesses SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Casca announced that it has won the 2026 Tearsheet AI Product of the Year Award, which recognizes innovative AI-powered products that solve real financial services challenges at scale. The fintech won for its AI-native loan origination platform. Small businesses often need capital quickly to replace equipment, purchase inventory or cover unexpected expenses. Banks may have the capital and appetite to lend, but smaller loans require much of the same document collection, verification and underwriting work as larger commercial loans. This can make them difficult to offer efficiently and push business owners toward faster, higher-cost alternatives. Casca's platform removes that bottleneck, making smaller-dollar loans more efficient and economically viable for banks, expanding access to responsible capital without adding operational burden. A representative from Tearsheet shared, "Casca wins the AI Product of the Year Award for reimagining small business lending through an AI-native loan origination platform. AI agents are embedded throughout the lending process to automate more than 100 manual steps, analyze thousands of financial documents in minutes, and perform over 40 credit and KYB checks, while keeping humans in the loop. As a result, banks have automated up to 90% of lending workflows, cut processing times from months to as little as one to four days and increased lead conversions by 312%. By transforming one of banking's most manual and time-intensive processes, Casca is making small business lending faster, more scalable and more accessible." Casca helps borrowers complete an online application in less than 15 minutes. Its AI loan assistant answers questions and sends updates and reminders, while lenders receive structured financial information and a centralized view of each borrower. This allows loan officers to spend less time collecting documents and processing paperwork and more time advising customers. The easy application and AI support is appreciated by the borrowers, 60% of which are submitting applications on weekends, when traditional banking channels are closed. "Small business owners don't operate on a traditional banking schedule, but most lending processes still do," said Lukas Haffer, CEO and co-founder of Casca. "We built Casca so banks can meet entrepreneurs at the speed their businesses demand without compromising responsible lending. This recognition reinforces our belief that better infrastructure can make banks the first place small businesses turn for capital." The Tearsheet AI Innovation Awards honor financial services leaders using artificial intelligence to transform operations, improve customer experiences and create measurable business impact through advances in automation, analytics and risk management. You can find the full list of winners here: https://tearsheet.co/announcement/the-2026-tearsheet-ai-innovation-awards-recognizing-the-builders-of-ai-powered-finance/ About Casca Casca accelerates the loan application and origination process using responsible AI. It is the loan origination platform used by the nation's leading SBA lenders and FDIC-Insured banks. Founded in 2023 by banking IT experts and AI researchers from Stanford University, Casca is backed by Y Combinator, Canapi Ventures, Peterson Ventures, Clocktower Ventures, The Fintech Fund, and the Sarah Smith Fund. For more information, visit www.cascading.ai and follow us on LinkedIn. SOURCE Cascading AI

PR Newswire
May 19th, 2026
Casca named a 2026 Best Places to Work in Fintech by American Banker.

Casca named a 2026 Best Places to Work in Fintech by American Banker. May 19, 2026, 09:00 ET Fintech startup recognized for building a people-first culture focused on ownership and problem-solving as it scales AI-powered lending technology SAN FRANCISCO, May 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Casca, the first AI-native loan origination platform, has been named on the 2026 Best Places to Work in Fintech by American Banker. The awards program was created in 2017 and is a project of Arizent and Best Companies Group. This annual survey and awards program is designed to identify, recognize and honor the best employers in the financial technology industry. Companies recognized on this year's list operate in and serve companies and consumers in a wide range of financial services including banking and mortgages, insurance, payments and financial advisory. Casca earned recognition for building a highly collaborative workplace centered on innovation, trust and meaningful impact. Lukas Haffer, co-founder and CEO, said, "From the beginning, we've tried to build Casca into a place where people feel connected to the mission behind what they do and empowered to make a real impact. Our team works closely together, solves problems directly with financial institutions and small businesses, and genuinely enjoys spending time with each other. That combination of shared purpose, strong relationships and meaningful work is a big part of what makes Casca special." "Each year, the Best Places to Work in Financial Technology offers a glimpse into the practices of fintechs whose employees rate their workplaces highly," said Penny Crosman, executive editor of technology at American Banker. "This year, employees appear to value remote work and schedule flexibility above all else, at a time when many traditional financial firms have enforced strict return-to-work policies." To be considered for participation, companies must provide technology products, services or solutions that enable the delivery of financial services. Companies must also have been in business for at least one full year and employ at least 15 people in the U.S. Companies from across the United States entered a two-part survey process to determine Arizent's Best Places to Work in Fintech. The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company's workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics. The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. The combined scores determined the top companies and the final ranking. Best Companies Group managed the overall registration and survey process, analyzed the data and determined the final ranking. The 2026 list included 33 companies and was published by Arizent brands American Banker, National Mortgage News, Financial Planning and Digital Insurance. About Casca Casca accelerates the loan application and origination process using responsible AI. It is the loan origination platform used by the nation's leading SBA lenders and FDIC-Insured banks. Founded in 2023 by banking IT experts and AI researchers from Stanford University, Casca is backed by Y Combinator, Canapi Ventures, Peterson Ventures, Clocktower Ventures, The Fintech Fund, and the Sarah Smith Fund. For more information, visit www.cascading.ai and follow us on LinkedIn. SOURCE Casca

PR Newswire
Apr 29th, 2026
Casca selected by Celtic Bank to power its SBA lending program.

Casca selected by Celtic Bank to power its SBA lending program. Apr 29, 2026, 11:27 ET One of the nation's top SBA lenders partners with Casca's AI-native platform to accelerate commercial loan origination and scale its SBA 7a portfolio SAN FRANCISCO, April 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Celtic Bank, a top-ten U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 7(a) lender since 2013, today announced a partnership with Casca, the first AI-native loan origination platform for commercial lending. Celtic Bank selected Casca to power its SBA lending program, aiming to grow loan volume, increase conversion rates, and deliver a best-in-class digital borrower experience while significantly reducing manual origination effort. Celtic Bank chose Casca for the platform's rapid deployment capabilities and ability to scale alongside the bank's ambitious growth plans. Where traditional loan origination system implementations can take a year or more, Casca's modern, cloud-first architecture allowed Celtic Bank to move from contract to configuration in a matter of weeks. The speed of implementation has been a standout factor in the partnership, enabling Celtic's lending teams to get up and running without the prolonged timelines that have historically slowed technology adoption in banking. For Celtic Bank, the partnership represents a strategic investment in growing its SBA portfolio. As an SBA Preferred Lender with the authority to approve loans without additional SBA review, Celtic is positioned to move quickly on small-dollar lending opportunities. Casca's platform gives lenders the tools to dramatically compress origination timelines, converting more applicants into funded loans through a streamlined digital experience that guides borrowers through the process the way TurboTax guides taxpayers through a tax return. Complex SBA forms like the 1919, 413, and 159 are simplified into an intuitive, step-by-step flow, reducing manual errors and eliminating the back-and-forth that slows down traditional origination. On the back end, Casca automates financial spreading and analysis, turning tasks that once took hours into minutes and freeing Celtic's team to focus on what they do best: getting capital into the hands of small business owners who need it. "We've been looking for a technology partner that can keep up with our ambitions for small-dollar SBA lending," said Todd Boren, President and COO of Celtic Bank. "Casca's speed to deploy and ability to scale with us has been unlike anything we've experienced with traditional lending technology. We're excited to grow our SBA portfolio with a platform that was built for the way we want to lend." Casca's platform is purpose-built for commercial and SBA lending, compressing origination timelines from months to days. The platform integrates seamlessly with the third-party systems banks already rely on, including credit bureaus, document verification providers, and core banking systems, creating a unified origination experience for both lenders and borrowers. For Celtic Bank's SBA 7(a) Express program, this means small business owners can apply, receive a decision, and move toward funding through a streamlined digital experience. "Behind every SBA loan is a family betting on themselves, a Main Street storefront opening its doors, a community getting stronger. That's why we built Casca," said Lukas Haffer, CEO and Co-Founder of Casca. "When lenders like Celtic Bank can move faster and reach more borrowers, the impact ripples out to the communities those businesses serve. Celtic shares our belief that access to capital shouldn't be held back by outdated technology, and we're proud to partner with them to get more funding to the small business owners who need it most." Celtic Bank joins a growing roster of leading financial institutions leveraging Casca's AI-native platform, including Live Oak Bank, the nation's #1 SBA 7(a) lender by dollar volume, and Huntington National Bank, the #1 SBA 7(a) lender by number of loans. About Celtic Bank Celtic Bank is a privately owned industrial bank headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, and one of the nation's most active SBA lenders. Founded in 2001, Celtic Bank offers a comprehensive suite of tailored financing solutions for small and medium-sized businesses that empower both business owners and financial innovators. As an SBA Preferred Lender ranked among the top ten largest SBA lenders in the U.S. since 2013, Celtic Bank has the authority to approve SBA loans directly, delivering faster turnaround times and more flexible terms to borrowers. For more information, visit celticbank.com. About Casca Casca is the first AI-native loan origination platform for commercial lending. Casca compresses origination timelines from months to days by automating data entry, document collection, and compliance workflows. Casca's platform is trusted by the nation's leading SBA lenders, including Live Oak Bank, Huntington National Bank, and Celtic Bank. Founded in 2022 and backed by $33 million in funding from Canapi Ventures, Live Oak Ventures, and Huntington, Casca is headquartered in San Francisco. For more information, visit cascading.ai. SOURCE Casca

Finopotamus
Jan 21st, 2026
Casca Partners with William Mills Agency for Public Relations Services

Casca partners with William Mills Agency for public relations services. William Mills Agency, the nation's leading financial services and fintech public relations firm, has been selected by Casca, the first AI-native loan origination platform, to strengthen its brand awareness as the company advances business lending through responsible AI. Casca is redefining small business lending for community institutions with the first AI-native loan origination system. With the majority of small and medium-sized businesses struggling to secure affordable capital, the challenge lies not in creditworthiness but in limited options - outdated systems at traditional banks or costly quick-fix funding from alternative lenders. Casca's platform bridges this gap by enabling community institutions to serve this segment at fintech-level speed, without compromising on their competitive, responsible rates. "Casca is building toward a future where access to capital is fair, fast and intelligent - with responsible, ethical AI at its core," said Lukas Haffer, CEO and co-founder of Casca. "William Mills Agency's deep expertise of the financial technology landscape makes them the ideal partner as we expand our reach, empowering community institutions with the tools needed to transform small business lending and make it more inclusive." "We are proud to partner with Casca as they not only modernize a broken process, but also help community institutions stay competitive and expand their impact," said William Mills, CEO at William Mills Agency. "By leveraging responsible AI, Casca's platform streamlines loan origination with unprecedented efficiency while enabling community lenders to provide more inclusive access to capital. Our role is to amplify this mission, building awareness and trust so more small businesses can benefit from faster, fairer lending." About Casca Casca accelerates the loan application and origination process using responsible AI. It is the loan origination platform used by the nation's leading SBA lenders and FDIC-Insured banks. Founded in 2023 by banking IT experts and AI researchers from Stanford University, Casca is backed by Y Combinator, Canapi Ventures, Peterson Ventures, Clocktower Ventures, The Fintech Fund, and the Sarah Smith Fund. For more information, visit www.cascading.ai and follow Finopotamus LLC on LinkedIn. About William Mills Agency William Mills Agency is North America's leading financial technology public relations and marketing firm. The agency has established its reputation through successful execution of media relations, strategic communications, content development, and crisis communications programs. The company serves clients ranging in size from early-stage startups to large, publicly traded firms. For more information, please visit williammills.com/financial-public-relations.

PR Newswire
Jan 15th, 2026
Casca Named Banking and Financial Services Winner in the 2026 BIG Innovation Awards

Casca named Banking and Financial Services Winner in the 2026 BIG Innovation Awards. News provided by. Jan 15, 2026, 15:04 ET CEO and co-founder, Lukas Haffer, was recognized in the Banking and Financial Services category for Innovative Individuals SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Casca, the first AI-native loan origination platform, is proud to announce that it has been named a Banking and Financial Services Winner in the 2026 BIG Innovation Awards, a global recognition program honoring companies, products, and leaders who are transforming industries through applied innovation, intelligent platforms, and measurable real-world impact. "The 2026 BIG Innovation Awards winners show that true innovation is no longer about chasing the latest buzzwords," said Russ Fordyce, Chief Recognition Officer at the Business Intelligence Group. "It's about building intelligent platforms, automating workflows with purpose, and making trust, privacy, and resilience the foundation of every breakthrough. These organizations and leaders are not just keeping pace with change, they are shaping the future of global business." Casca was recognized for its outstanding contributions to innovation in banking and financial services. Rather than incrementally improving legacy systems, the company rebuilt one of banking's slowest and most complex processes from the ground up. Its AI-native loan origination platform replaces outdated lending infrastructure with responsible, automated workflows designed to meet bank-grade underwriting and compliance standards. As a result, community banks and credit unions using Casca are funding small business loans up to 30x faster than industry averages, with end-to-end processing times as short as one to four days. "We are honored to receive this recognition, "Casca co-Founder and CEO Lukas Haffer said "This award reflects a belief we've held from day one: that responsible, well-designed technology can fundamentally improve access to capital for small businesses while strengthening the role of banks as trusted financial partners. Innovation, to us, means building systems that work in the real world and make a meaningful difference for the people who rely on them." In addition, Lukas Haffer was recognized in the Banking and Financial Services category for Innovative Individuals. Under his leadership, Casca has grown from an early-stage concept into one of the most impactful AI innovations in small business lending. In 2025, Casca raised a $29 million Series A. Casca's flagship customers - Live Oak Bank, the nation's leading U.S. Small Business Administration SBA 7(a) lender by dollar volume, Huntington National Bank, the nation's largest originator, by volume of SBA 7(a) loans, and Bankwell Bank, Casca's first customer - all invested. Casca joins 159 winners recognized for their contributions to innovation across health, financial services, logistics, manufacturing, and enterprise technology. The 2026 BIG Innovation Awards winners reveal a clear trend: innovation is no longer about just having AI, it's about how you use it. Winners are building platforms, automating workflows, and focusing on trust, privacy, and security as core to their mission. For more information about the BIG Innovation Awards and to view the full list of winners, visit www.bintelligence.com/posts/2026-big-innovation-awards-159-trailblazers-prove-where-innovation-is-really-happening. About Casca Casca accelerates the loan application and origination process using responsible AI. It is the loan origination platform used by the nation's leading SBA lenders and FDIC-Insured banks. Founded in 2023 by banking IT experts and AI researchers from Stanford University, Casca is backed by Y Combinator, Canapi Ventures, Peterson Ventures, Clocktower Ventures, The Fintech Fund, and the Sarah Smith Fund. For more information, visit www.cascading.ai and follow us on LinkedIn. About Business Intelligence Group The Business Intelligence Group was founded with the mission of recognizing true talent and superior performance in business. Unlike many recognition programs, these awards are evaluated by business leaders and practitioners who reward programs, products, and people that deliver real, quantifiable excellence rather than marketing narratives.