New credit unions are stuck in limbo—Here’s how we can help
September 20, 2024 by Tom Sakash, Your CU Partner There were 5.5 million applications to start new businesses in 2023, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. That same year, the credit union movement started just two. Back when I worked for the national trade association, I would semi-regularly receive phone calls from groups who were working […]
Strategies for the Long-Term, Plan for the Pivot
Does your credit union’s strategic plan live in a binder? It should be an ongoing process. Recently, it can seem as though every aspect of society is moving at the speed of light: everything from technology to interest rates, to members’ priorities can change in the blink of an eye. “We are now in a […]
The perfect pairing: Links between the wine industry and credit unions
Over the years, when I have asked people what kind of wine they like, most respond with answers such as “Cabernet” or “Chardonnay”. When asking credit unions what makes them different versus other financial institutions, they often respond with, “better rates”, “lower fees”, and “commitment to our members”. You might be wondering what wine has […]
Embracing the credit union difference: A closer look at where it shines
There has been a lot of conversation lately about the credit union difference, with some arguing that what we as credit unions hang our hat on, doesn’t stand out much from other mainstream financial institutions. I refuse to agree with this rising chorus. I’m not afraid to admit that I’m a credit union enthusiast (geek). […]
The Credit Union Difference: Good, better and best
I’ve spent my thirty-eight-year credit union career articulating the Credit Union Difference. Whether through marketing communication as a past VP of Marketing or knocking on doors as a VP of Business Development, community development evangelist, writer or speaker, volunteer “hike the hill” political advocate or as a consultant pointing the way on how credit unions […]
Purposely pivot and prosper
Seeing smaller credit unions merge frustrates me. I believe a majority of mergers could be avoided if credit union leadership had decided to strategically pivot at the right time. Of course, there are mergers that happen because of succession challenges. And unfortunately, I feel there are too many mergers used as a retirement strategy (bad […]
Credit unions and the aggregation of marginal gains
As a strategic planning consultant, I’m always proselytizing the pursuit and achievement of a big vision and goals. I am a believer that we are capable, individually, collectively and as organizations, of doing hard things and achieving big audacious goals. I see it happen all the time. It’s essential to have a clear and robust […]
Small credit union lenders – kicking ass and taking names
According to CUNA Mutual’s Credit Union Trends Report – December 2021, credit union consumer loan growth peaked at 10.5 percent in 2016. It has decreased annually since then, reaching 5.9 percent in 2021. Drilling down a bit further, the chart below reflects the loan growth challenges smaller credit unions have faced during the past two […]