How Long Does CDFI Certification Take?
For many credit unions, becoming a Certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) can unlock valuable funding opportunities, strengthen community impact, and support long-term growth. But one of the most common questions institutions ask is: “How long does the CDFI certification process actually take?” The short answer: it depends. Typical CDFI Certification Timeline The certification process […]
What Is the Difference Between the CDFI TA Grant and FA Grant?
If your credit union is exploring Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) funding opportunities, you’ve probably come across two common terms: Technical Assistance (TA) grants and Financial Assistance (FA) grants. While both programs are offered through the CDFI Fund, they serve very different purposes. Understanding the difference can help your institution determine which opportunity is the […]
One Movement. Are We Acting Like It?
March 26, 2026 by Scott Butterfield Something is stirring in the credit union movement. You can feel it at conferences, read it in the trades, and hear it in the hallways of league events. There is a growing tension, sometimes raw, sometimes polite, between small and large credit unions. And if we are not careful, […]
When leadership sets the standard: Herb Wegner Award winners and the underserved Hispanic communities they chose to serve
March 6, 2026 by Scott Butterfield Something is stirring in the credit union movement. You can feel it at conferences, read it in the trades, and hear it in the hallways of league events. There is a growing tension, sometimes raw, sometimes polite, between small and large credit unions. And if we are not careful, […]
What LEGO and vinyl records can teach credit unions about reversing decline
February 4, 2026 by Scott Butterfield I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately about the credit union industry’s trajectory. We all see the data: membership growth increasingly concentrated among the largest credit unions, consolidation accelerating, smaller institutions struggling to stay relevant. It’s easy to look at these trends and conclude that for many credit […]
I might be your target member
January 7, 2026 by Tom Sakash 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 […]
Field of membership expansion: A high‐leverage growth strategy for small and mid-sized credit unions
November 7, 2025 by Scott Butterfield For many small and mid-sized credit unions that carry a mission to serve underserved or low-income communities, the question of “how do we grow?” is front and center. Growth is not just about adding branches, increasing assets, or merging; it is about expanding your reach, deepening your mission, and […]
What if digital-first isn’t enough?
October 10, 2025 by Scott Butterfield For the past decade, credit unions have heard a consistent message: to attract and retain younger members, go digital-first. Invest in mobile apps. Streamline online account opening. Deploy interactive teller machines. The assumption? Millennials and Gen Z demand seamless digital experiences, and if you build it, they will come—and […]
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 […]