When It Comes to Changing Insurance, the NCUA Should Be a Simple Vendor, Not a Customs Agent
Why is it that NCUA dictates the rules for switching to private insurance for credit unions that are chartered by their state, not federally? Vic Pantea thinks that should change to give credit unions and their states more autonomy over their insurance choices.
The Struggle of De Novo Credit Unions
Does the credit union industry stand a chance when the NCUA has made it almost impossible for new charters? Emily Claus discusses the difficulties facing startups, how far we’ve fallen, and what can be done about it.
What Role Will Virtual Conferences Have in a Post-Pandemic World?
Event planner Stephanie Underwood ponders what role, if any, virtual events will have in post-pandemic world. Will the industry easily revert to old practices or has it been forever changed?
Does Common Bond Matter Anymore?
Today, fields of membership with limited scopes have been replaced with the more generalized community charter. Chip Filson looks at the evolution of the common bond and what we can learn from it.
A Question of Leadership
Chip Filson asks a seemingly simple question: What makes a leader? In his opinion, the answer is and should be different for the cooperative system.
The Advantages of a Second to Market Strategy
The urge to come first is strong in our consumer culture. But is being first always best? Esteban Camargo explains the advantages of a second to market strategy.
Thoughts on Mergers: The Tallest Candlestick Ain’t Much Good Without a Wick
Is the race to merge folly? Chip Filson believes that by discarding member focus and legacy for the sake of growth we undermine the public’s faith in cooperative design. And that might spell disaster for credit unions in the long run.
The Cooperative System’s Unique Capabilities In a Crisis
Cooperatives are uniquely positioned to respond well to crises thanks to their ownership structure and mission. But responding well takes more than just that. Chip Filson details what credit unions and their leaders need to do in those situations.
Think Writing’s Important? Think Again. It’s Even More Valuable Than You Thought!
Writing shouldn’t just be a skill, it should be a core competency of your organization. Dawn Moore questions whether your credit union truly grasps the importance of writing, and suggests ways to have it play a bigger role.
Central Liquidity Facility: The One Thing Necessary
If the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) and Central Liquidity Facility (CLF) are both “lenders of last resort” why is the CLF deemed so unappealing? How is the FHLB system so much more relevant for credit unions than their own liquidity backstop? Chip Filson might know why.