The Unnecessary Euthanizing of Credit Unions
Your Marketing Co. CEO Bo McDonald responds to Todd Marksberry’s recent article on mergers, and argues that merging should be the last resort for financially viable “boutique” credit unions. Foresight and a solid succession plan should be the first order of business to protect the interests of the credit union’s members, instead of its managers.
An Opportunity for Credit Union Disruption
Chip Filson analyzes how a decline in bank branches might be a result of credit unions’ disruptive market strategies, following in behind banks and FinTechs to offer better service and cheaper products.
Cooperative Design’s Two Unmatchable Advantages
In the financial forest, Chip Filson discusses the two elements that have led to the successful growth of the credit union system: ownership and relationship.
What Can We Learn from the Oldest FCUs?
22 of the 100 original charters the NCUA granted after the passage of the Federal Credit Union Act are still in business—a rate almost double that of all FCUs. Chip Filson ponders the reason behind this and what lessons we can take from history.
It’s Not About Growing Bigger, It’s About How We Can Grow Together
Credit union mergers have received a lot of negative attention in recent years. Canvas Credit Union CEO Todd Marksberry argues that mergers can be both a viable growth strategy and a means of better serving credit union communities.
How Are Credit Unions Different from Banks? Three Powerful Words
Chip Filson sums up the credit union difference in three words and remarks on how living up to those three words should be the mission of each credit union.
The Current State of Financial Literacy
As we head into Financial Literacy Month, Emily Claus analyzes the current state of financial literacy in the country in regard to topics such as budgeting, saving, retirement, and loans.
We Plan to Change
As Bob Anderson notes, change is inevitable. It’s how your organization chooses to plan for and respond to change that will determine its outcome. What steps has your credit union taken to prepare for changes in leadership, policy, and the market?
Can Elections Indicate an Organization’s Relevance for its Members?
Chip Filson analyzes the overwhelming and enthusiastic response to cooperative Inclusiv’s board member election and calls on credit unions to reflect on their own elections and how they might create more interest.
Board Entrenchment and the Question of Compensation and Term Limits
Credit unions struggle with finding new board members, but that might be the design of an entrenched board of directors. Esteban Camargo discusses the risks of director entrenchment and what leaders might do to combat it.
