ATLANTA, GA — January 15, 2025 — Buckhead Financial Tech, an Atlanta-based financial technology company specializing in AI-powered payment infrastructure, announced today it has raised $18 million in Series A funding. The round was led by Meridian Venture Partners, with participation from SouthEast Capital Group and existing investors. The company plans to deploy the new capital toward expanding its engineering team, accelerating product development, and entering five new regional markets by the end of 2025. Buckhead Financial Tech currently serves more than 300 mid-size financial institutions across the southeastern United States. "This funding validates what our clients already know — that smarter, faster payment processing is no longer a luxury for community banks and credit unions, it's a competitive necessity," said CEO Marcus L. Harrington. "We are building the infrastructure that keeps local financial institutions relevant in an increasingly digital economy." The raise comes amid growing investor appetite for B2B fintech solutions targeting underserved regional markets. According to industry research firm Fintech Horizon, U.S. payment technology investment surpassed $21 billion in 2024, with community banking solutions representing one of the fastest-growing segments. Buckhead Financial Tech expects to double its workforce to approximately 180 employees by the third quarter of 2025, with the majority of new positions based at its Atlanta headquarters. --- **About Buckhead Financial Tech** Buckhead Financial Tech is an Atlanta, Georgia-based financial technology company providing AI-driven payment processing and compliance solutions to community banks and credit unions. Founded in 2019, the company serves clients across 12 states. Learn more at www.buckheadfintech.com. ---