National Credit Union Foundation’s Post

The first edition of our new CUMIS Credit Union Impact report is here! Our 2023 report showcases how our deep bond with co-operative credit unions goes beyond partnerships and is founded on mutual co-operative principles and long-term, value-based connections. Within the Credit Union Impact Report, we highlight: - Industry challenges within the credit union space - How we partner, collaborate, and co-create with our credit union partners, and - Our deep commitment to bringing value to the credit union network We are pleased to highlight our commitment to our #creditunion partners, their leaders, and members. Together, we are redefining what is possible. https://lnkd.in/gg6gv_BK

First edition of our new Credit Union Impact report! 

For credit unions with assets under $100 million, women hold 53% of CEO positions. 👩💼💼 Yet, as we look at larger credit unions, with assets over $100 million, this percentage drops to just 23%. 📉 What is driving force behind this phenomenon, and what can we do to level the playing field? ⚖️ In this week’s episode of 🎙️ Grow Your Credit Union, hosts Joshua Barclay and Becky Reed welcome Linda White, CUDE, Executive Director, CUWLA -Credit Union Women's Leadership Alliance to discuss this very issue. PLUS We talk about shifting our resources from frontline to back-of-the-house staff 🔄 AND those sticky issues that we, as an industry, just can't shake off. 🏷️ Tag someone who needs to hear this. Link to episode in the comments. 📣 #womeninleadership #creditunions

If you're feeling stuck as a credit union leader, perhaps it's time for a bit of change and a fresh perspective to “snap out of it.” Our very own Bo McDonald explains how embracing a fresh perspective can be the change you need in today's CUInsight.com post: https://loom.ly/GFdymYk #CUInsight #CreditUnionLeaders #CreditUnions #Perspective #Motivation #ChangeManagement

We drive credit union growth with specialized services. Below are some highlights from the 2023 Cornerstone League Impact Report: ✔️Audit & Consulting: Delivered over 900 services across 12 states, including CECL help for 23 credit unions and expanded consulting for 28. ✔️Risk & Compliance: Issued 170 detailed reports for 98 credit unions across 11 states, adding New York. ✔️Information Security: Produced 700 reports, onboarded 55 credit unions, and launched 64 services across nine states. ✔️Leadership Development: Placed 44 executives (including a first CEO placement for a small credit union) and 38 other professionals, plus secured 16 new agreements. ✔️Shared Branching: Enabled member convenience via 341 branches in four states, with 62% acting as both issuer and acquirer. By uniting these services, Cornerstone Resources equips credit unions with the tools to thrive in a competitive financial landscape.

With a focus on ESG within the credit union movement worldwide, it is great to see the DE Program sharing the importance of the SDG's.

As the make-up of the #Csuite and #boardroom evolve to become more representative of the credit union's #membership, it is vital #managers to #executives learn how to become #allies to the #BIPOC and other #marginalized members in the communities they serve. Appreciating how much more work I still need to do, here is an article about my #journey to #allyship: https://lnkd.in/ePXWGnCg

🌟 Board Member Spotlight: Stephanie Schwandt 🌟 Stephanie Schwandt is a Senior Business Development Officer for Milestone Bank (Formerly LCA Bank).    1.    What inspired you to get involved with FLAGGL and SBA lending?  My parents and grandparents were all small business owners and they struggled to get access to capital. I knew I wanted to help small businesses from working with my family in high school and specifically went to college to become a small business banker.   2.    Can you share a fun fact about yourself that most people don’t know?  I’m related to Lady Godiva.  3.    What’s your go-to activity when you’re not working?  I LOVE being a grandmother and spending time with my little ones is the best time ever!  4.   What is your role on the FLAGGL Board? I serve as the Immediate Past Chair. #SBALending #BoardSpotlight #Leadership #Innovation #Finance #BusinessGrowth

✈ Let me tell you where I was last week! ✈ I went to Minneapolis to speak on a panel for the National Credit Union Association’s DEI Summit on Sustaining DEI with a Diverse Board. This year's theme was Here to Stay! I was joined by my colleague Stephanie McCaine as representatives for the Hudson Valley Credit Union, Amy Nelson, Oscar Porras, I- CUDE, and Peter Hand, who represent Point West Credit Union. The phenomenal Lynette Smith from Quantum Governance, L3C was our moderator. 🥡 Here's my 3 takeaways from the session 🥡 ☑ Commit to the DEI discipline on a board level. Financial inclusion is the responsibility of all credit unions as a "cooperative of people helping people." The purpose is to create pathways for access and sustainable prosperity for everyone, no matter their socio-economic status or identity. How will your board be a catalyst to bring this to fruition? ☑ Elect Board Members who reflect your membership (or desired membership); admittedly, your Board may never fully represent your community, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try. Solicit candidates based on skills and gaps (even cultural ones) required to meet your business, #equity, and #inclusion goals. Board members serve as a critical voice in the management of the organization and need to be equipped with the people and tools to deliver impact. ☑ Don't stop. Despite the distorted rhetoric around DEI, lean in. Ensure management bakes it into their strategic plans, regularly reports on progress, and that you hold each other accountable. You can only do this by creating an environment of trust and mutual understanding, so don't be afraid to have a frank dialogue about what is being done well and what needs to be improved. Everyone is at different starting points, and that's okay. Just keep moving forward and aspire to be better than before. There are so many more takeaways, but I have to watch the video to remember! It was incredibly inspiring to be surrounded by so many people who truly cared about the importance of creating financial inclusion for all and saw DEI as their responsibility as major financial institutions serving their communities. NCUA Chairmen Todd Harper said it best, "If done correctly, diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives can and will narrow the income gap, support a robust and growing middle class, advance equity, and make our democracy stronger and more resilient." ➕ BONUS ➕ : It also happened to be the week of the Gala Choruses Festival, which attracts the LGTBQ+ community, so the city was brimming with people from across North America and the world, plus all those who came to the DEI Summit. It was truly spectacular to see so much diversity in one place and be enveloped by Minnesota's niceness! Photo credit: Thank you to the wonderful woman who shared this photo with me. #NCUA #HVCU #DEI #Boards #Leadership #NCUADEISummit2024

Feature piece about leadership from the Verve, a Credit Union CEO back home. I appreciate his thoughtfulness on team culture and this nugget about being surrounded by great people. ** Find your Leo McGarry. Fans of The West Wing will understand that reference, but for everyone else, suffice it to say that you need at least one person in the organization that you trust explicitly to tell you like it is. This person knows the strategy, understands the culture, and is a strong leader that people know and trust. You need to develop a strong relationship with this person because they are going to help you stay grounded and realistic when the stuff hits the fan. It’s not that they tell you everything and keep you apprised of the scuttlebutt. And they certainly don’t tell you what you want to hear. They tell you what you need to hear. You need someone who would be willing to come to you and say, “Hey, this company needs a CEO today, and you’re not acting like one.” And then you need the wisdom to say, “Okay, tell me how.” https://lnkd.in/gj4yr59w