Why “owning the checking account” no longer means owning the member. For decades, credit unions organized their strategy around a single idea: become the member’s primary financial institution. The formula was simple—capture the checking account, earn the direct deposit, and every other product would follow. But that formula no longer works. The “primary relationship” as...
In the often-overlooked arena of cooperative finance, few leaders have inspired as enduring a legacy as Thomas (Tom) Lent. As President and CEO of Southland Credit Union in Orange County, California, Lent has spent nearly two decades coaching his team through remarkable growth and quietly championing the credit union movement. His planned retirement in 2026...
Harper & Otsuka’s Return to the NCUA Slowed
$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...
$19.2 Billion in Assets. One Million Members. One Giant Leap for Cooperative Finance.
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....
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,...
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...
Two mid‑century CUs join forces to serve 108,000 members and manage $1.7 billion in assets—together
From bank purchase to market presence: scale, capital, and community at play