CUs are doubling down on the Latino and immigrant market
I’m writing this article in response to a recent announcement titled, “Anti-immigration proposals work against economic growth goals” posted by Cathie Mahon, President/CEO, National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions (the Federation), Maria J. Martinez, President, NLCUP and CEO, Border Federal Credit Union, and Miriam De Dios, CEO, Coopera. First, I’d like to recognize all […]
The directors who make a difference
Most credit union members will never know their names. They won’t see them helping navigate a regulatory examination. They won’t witness the difficult discussions surrounding a CEO succession. They won’t hear the late-night phone calls during a cybersecurity event, economic downturn, or unexpected organizational challenge. Yet some of the most important people in any credit […]
The hidden growth strategy small credit unions are missing
Working-class families are under pressure. Inflation has squeezed household budgets. Credit card debt is at record highs. Predatory lenders are multiplying in the same neighborhoods where small credit unions have planted their flags for decades. And somewhere in all of this, a credit union leader is staring at a flat membership growth chart and asking: […]
Stuck credit unions have a lending problem
How small and mid-sized credit unions can reignite growth by focusing on the one strategy that drives both mission and margin. A story about focus About fifteen years ago, Ironworkers USA Federal Credit Union was struggling. They were small, under $10 million in assets, and facing the same pressure many credit unions feel today. The NCUA was […]
I Get Up Again
Life isn’t for the faint of heart. Neither is working in the credit union movement. Over the past 40 years, I’ve learned that no matter how carefully we plan, life has a way of introducing challenges we never saw coming. Emergencies. Health issues. Loss. Betrayal. Unexpected setbacks. Toxic environments. Professional disappointments. Circumstances beyond our control […]
Growth Without Drift: The Board’s Role in Protecting Culture During Expansion
Growth is exciting for credit unions. A new branch, a merger opportunity, an expanded field of membership, or a fast-growing lending program all create momentum and optimism inside an organization. In many boardrooms, these milestones are naturally viewed as signs of progress and success. But growth also creates pressure: pressure on leadership teams, systems, staffing […]
Why Developing Latino Credit Union Professionals Is Mission-Critical for Our Future
We (YCUP) are better credit union leaders today because Latino and Latina leaders have shaped our careers, challenged our thinking, supported our growth, and inspired us to lead with greater purpose. That is not an abstract statement. It is a lived truth. For nearly 15 years, Pablo DeFilippi, EVP at Inclusiv, has been a mentor and […]
When Vendors Say “Merge for Growth” — Why Merger Isn’t Always the Right Answer for Growth
Every day, credit-union leaders open their inboxes to a familiar-looking message: “Expand fast. Acquire now. Merge for growth!” These emails—from consulting firms, tech vendors, or service providers—pitch mergers as the shortcut to scale, new markets, and competitive advantage. The message is seductive: “Why wait for organic growth when you can merge and leap forward?” But for many […]
I might be your target member
As someone who works with organizations to help them develop strategies for reaching and resonating with consumers, while ALSO being a consumer myself, I admit it can be challenging sometimes to separate my own preferences from what the data says most consumers care about in a financial institution. For example, contemporary research tells us that […]