From Awareness to Action: Helping ALICE Households Through Personalized Financial Coaching
August 6, 2025 by Scott Butterfield Last month, I wrote about the importance of understanding and engaging the ALICE population—those hard-working households who are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed. These consumers are the backbone of our communities, yet they live one emergency away from a financial crisis. Recognizing ALICE is only the first step; […]
When your sponsor kicks you to the curb: A wake-up call for credit union leaders
July 7, 2025 by Scott Butterfield There’s a difficult conversation that needs to happen more often in credit union boardrooms—and it starts with this simple question: What do you do when the group that helped form your credit union no longer wants to be associated with it? The U.S. credit union system was built on sponsor […]
In search of new members? Go ask ALICE
June 24, 2025 by Scott Butterfield Across the country, credit union leaders are asking the same question: Where will our next wave of new members come from? For many, the traditional paths to organic growth have slowed. Indirect auto lending, once a go-to source of new accounts, isn’t delivering the long-term member relationships we need. At the […]
Rediscovering Relevance: What Ed Filene Can Still Teach Us About Credit Union Leadership
May 8, 2025 by Scott Butterfield Nearly a century ago, Edward Filene, the founding father of credit unions in America, stood before a group of business students at the University of California and challenged their assumptions about being good in business. His talk, “Morals in Business,” was witty, provocative, and surprisingly timeless. His message? Being […]
The best credit union advice you’ll find anywhere
April 30, 2025 by Scott Butterfield What happens when over 150 passionate credit union leaders from across the country—representing institutions from Hawaii to Florida—gather in a historic hotel in downtown Spokane, Washington? Something incredible. That “something” happened April 13–15, 2025, at America’s Credit Unions (ACU) Small Credit Union Conference, hosted in partnership with the GoWest Credit Union […]
Preserving the Heartbeat of Community Development: Why Every Credit Union Should Care About the CDFI Fund
April 9, 2025 by Scott Butterfield Over the past few months, I’ve had the privilege of writing, reviewing, and submitting a record number of Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) grant applications. It’s been an eye-opening experience that reinforces how essential CDFI credit unions are to their communities. These institutions aren’t just providing financial services—they’re fueling […]
Credit unions: Demography is destiny
April 3, 2025 by Scott Butterfield There’s an old expression that keeps coming back to me lately: Demography is destiny. It’s often used in political and economic circles to suggest that the makeup of a population shapes what’s possible in the future. I believe it applies just as strongly to the credit union movement. If we want […]
Zen and the art of credit union maintenance
January 7, 2025 by Scott Butterfield 2024 was another dynamic year for credit unions across the country. Credit unions of all shapes and sizes faced new challenges and opportunities and gained new insights shaping their purpose and focus. Facilitating dozens of planning sessions with credit union leaders and interacting with thousands of friends and colleagues […]
Together, we’ll grow our small credit unions
November 18, 2024 by Scott Butterfield This past week, I had the privilege of being part of America’s Credit Unions Small Credit Union Conference in Charlotte, NC. The event was remarkable, with a format and content perfectly tailored to the unique needs of today’s smaller but ambitious credit unions—and it was sold out! Even after […]
“Signs” it’s time to expand your field of membership (or at least your dress code)
October 17, 2024 by Scott Butterfield Some of my best thinking is done when I’m walking (or flyfishing!). I’m that old guy who walks with earbuds blasting the best of classic rock. I have a lot to think about this time of year – it is strategic planning season, which means at least weekly day-long […]