Tag: Financial Cooperatives

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Why Credit Unions Should Lend 100% of Their Deposits
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Why Credit Unions Should Lend 100% of Their Deposits

Credit unions were never meant to be mini-banks. Yet too many are managing their balance sheets like institutions designed for Wall Street, not Main Street. Somewhere along the way, the movement’s financial engine became more cautious than catalytic. It’s time to reframe lending not as a risk, but as a responsibility—and revisit a once-obvious idea:...

Digital Federal (DCU) + First Tech: A Coast-to-Coast Merger of Equals
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Digital Federal (DCU) + First Tech: A Coast-to-Coast Merger of Equals

$28.7B in Assets. Nearly Two Million Members. One Unified Vision. In a merger that looks less like acquisition and more like cooperative evolution, Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU) and First Tech Federal Credit Union have agreed to combine as equals. When finalized—pending NCUA approval and member affirmation—this partnership will yield a $28.7 billion credit union...

One Nevada’s New Era: Steve O’Donnell Takes the Helm
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One Nevada’s New Era: Steve O’Donnell Takes the Helm

An Alaskan-rooted leader pivoting a $1.5 B credit union toward next-level member impact Las Vegas-based One Nevada Credit Union (ONCU) has made a quietly significant leadership move. With over $1.5 billion in assets and a membership base hovering around 74,000–78,000 Nevadans, ONCU has tapped long-time executive Steve O’Donnell as its new President/CEO, succeeding Paul Parrish after his retirement....

Largest Fintech Fund in Credit Union History Breaks Ground—Curql Closes $360M Fund II
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Largest Fintech Fund in Credit Union History Breaks Ground—Curql Closes $360M Fund II

Credit unions pool purpose and capital to lead fintech innovation—not follow it Credit unions just made history—not by lending, but by investing. Curql Collective, the network of 160+ credit unions, has closed Curql Fund II at $360 million, the largest credit union–led fintech fund ever. That makes it a top‑25 U.S. venture capital closing in early 2025,...

Georgia United Credit Union Prepares for Its Next Chapter
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Georgia United Credit Union Prepares for Its Next Chapter

Long-time leader retires, and a proven successor is poised to deepen the mission Georgia United Credit Union is entering a calculated, values-driven leadership transition. After more than a decade of guiding the institution’s rise from $950 million to over $2 billion in assets, long-time CEO Debbie Smith will retire December 31, 2025. Stepping into her...