 Karen Harbin Today at America’s Credit Unions 2026 Governmental Affairs Conference, Karen Harbin, President/CEO of Commonwealth Credit Union in Kentucky, was announced as the new Chair of the America’s Credit Unions Board of Directors. Harbin will serve a one-year term.
“America’s Credit Unions is committed to advancing our movement and protecting the cooperative finance model with a strong, unified voice,” said America’s Credit Unions President/CEO Scott Simpson. “I thank Patrick Pierce for his leadership and counsel as chair to strengthen our system-wide cooperation and alignment over the past year. I am confident that Karen will build upon these efforts as we look to provide even more value to our credit union members, represent them in high-stakes policy discussions, and protect the model of cooperative finance.” “I want to thank my fellow board members and our credit union members for this opportunity to shape the strategy of our national association,” said newly-elected chair Karen Harbin. “I firmly believe that advocacy is job number one for America’s Credit Unions, and I will work diligently to ensure the voice of our diverse membership is reflected in our unified efforts. Together with leagues and our credit union members, we can deliver meaningful policy victories that empower us to live out our credit union mission for generations to come.” The America's Credit Unions board elected the following members to serve on its Executive Committee:
Other members of America's Credit Unions 2026 Board of Directors:
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 Louis Hernandez, Jr. Black Dragon Capital℠ ("Black Dragon") — a multi-phased global investment partner which focuses on advanced technology that addresses the most significant issues industries face — has formed a new strategic partnership with Cornerstone League, one of the nation’s most influential credit union leagues committed to empowering financial institutions that strengthen local communities across Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Black Dragon Capital℠ was founded over a decade ago by recognized financial technology leaders focused on bringing innovative technologies to high-growth industry segments affected by digital disruption. The firm is led by a collaborative team which combines deep operational experience with a focus on community impact and a proven ability to transform and grow companies. Its Founder and CEO, Louis Hernandez, Jr., also founded For A Bright Future Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting the needs of underrepresented and underprivileged children through education, healthcare, the arts, and youth leadership development. Cornerstone League is among the nation’s largest regional credit union trade associations, serving approximately 600 credit unions in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. Cornerstone exists to advance the success of credit unions in the region through legislative and grassroots advocacy; regulatory and compliance support; training, educational, and networking opportunities; essential communications related to news and information affecting the credit union industry; and other products and services that establish Cornerstone as the essential partner for credit unions. Cornerstone League ultimately made the decision to enter this strategic alliance with Black Dragon Capital℠ following a rigorous due diligence process influenced by the tenured roster of finance, technology, and credit union experts leading the team at Black Dragon. This partnership creates a powerful innovation platform for credit unions navigating rapid change. By combining Cornerstone League’s expansive member network with Black Dragon Capital’s operator-led investment model, credit unions gain earlier access to proven, next-generation fintech solutions designed specifically for cooperative financial institutions. Partnership with Black Dragon Capital℠ Leverages Powerful Technologies for Credit Union Innovation Through this partnership, Cornerstone League will introduce Black Dragon’s Fintech expertise to its more than 600-member credit unions, giving them the opportunity to transform their businesses and optimize their member service advantages. Planned initiatives include leadership briefings, portfolio innovation sessions, educational content, and strategic forums designed to help credit unions navigate an increasingly complex financial and technology landscape. Cornerstone League joins a growing list of the most innovative Credit Unions and CUSOs in the industry who have partnered with Black Dragon Capital℠ to reshape the future of our community. They are now part of the Black Dragon FinTech Limited Partner Advisory Board (LPAB), an organization comprised of recognized credit union and CUSO investment partners that provides input on industry issues, feedback on operational and technical areas with potential and current investments, and shares strategic advice and direction on all Black Dragon Capital's investments for Fintech strategies. Together, Cornerstone League and the Black Dragon Capital℠ team will leverage the firm's global reach and expertise in industry-defining technologies, pursuing the main objective of scaling sustainable fintech companies dedicated to empowering credit unions to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. “Cornerstone is committed to delivering meaningful value to our member credit unions,” said Ryan Dold, Cornerstone Resources EVP and Chief Revenue Officer. “Partnering with Black Dragon Capital provides our members direct access to advanced fintech solutions and strategic investment opportunities that will help them grow, compete, and better serve their communities.” “Our mission has always been to support organizations that matter, and credit unions are central to that mission. Black Dragon has a history of identifying and building leading financial technology companies, and this partnership will strengthen our ability to work with credit unions to identify technologies that can help them serve their communities better,” said Louis Hernandez Jr., Founder & CEO of Black Dragon Capital. “Cornerstone is one of the most respected leagues in the nation, and together we will help bring forward the next generation of fintech innovation purpose-built for credit unions.”  For much of U.S. history, access to fair financial tools has been closely tied to opportunity, stability, and who is accumulating wealth. For Black Americans, that access was systematically denied through redlining, discriminatory lending, and branch closures. Built by people walking together, credit unions provide safe places to save, fair credit, and mutual support.
That history still matters now. Black households represented about 13% of all U.S. households last year, but made up more than 32% of unbanked households and are more than twice as likely to be underbanked compared to white households, meaning families are more likely to rely on high-cost alternatives just to manage everyday finances. While banking access may exist on paper; affordability, flexibility, and trust often do not. A Model Designed for Equity Early credit unions were frequently rooted in churches, labor groups, and community organizations, created to meet everyday needs like small loans, emergency savings, and pathways to homeownership when banks denied credit outright. The cooperative model continues to show up in how credit unions operate today. Many offer second-chance checking accounts, lower fees, and more flexible underwriting, approving loans at lower credit score thresholds than traditional banks. These differences matter for households rebuilding credit or navigating financial disruptions, especially in communities where rigid standards have long limited access. Credit unions help remove that anxiety, through tools like BECU's Money Manager that automatically categorizes spending and updates in real time, making it easier to spot forgotten subscriptions or habits that add up and create budgets based on your actual patterns rather than wishful thinking. Reinvesting Where It Counts Credit unions don’t just provide accounts; they reinvest directly in the communities they serve. In Washington, Backbone member Verity Credit Union provided a $5,000 unrestricted grant to the Not Forgotten Foundation to strengthen youth leadership and reentry programming, supporting families impacted by incarceration as they rebuild economic stability and a sense of belonging. Meanwhile, in Oregon, Rivermark Community Credit Union is partnering on a $3 million affordable housing initiative led by the state’s oldest Black church, helping replace a 1962 sanctuary with 44 new buildings serving veterans and their families, while preserving community heritage and expanding access to services. These efforts reflect a broader pattern. As cooperatives, credit unions keep deposits local, reinvest in neighborhoods that were historically redlined, and answer only to their members: not distant stakeholders. Building Pathways Forward Across the country, credit unions are creating pipelines to long-term stability through workforce development and financial education, reaching hundreds of thousands of people annually. Credit unions are also more likely than banks to serve Black- and women-owned small businesses, especially the smallest ones. Nearly half of all credit union business loans are under $150,000, providing early, affordable capital that can keep a business going when options are scarce. By design, credit unions make banking more transparent, flexible, and easier to navigate. Through reinvestments, steady presence, especially in communities that have long been overlooked, financial inclusion becomes reality. Want to Learn More? Backbone is a national coalition of credit unions strengthening financial well-being through community. We help everyday Americans turn financial goals into sustainable habits that persist beyond January. Reach out to [email protected] or visit backbone.us to learn more. Optiri, a wholly owned subsidiary of Trellance Cooperative Holdings, Inc., today announced that it is adding Penetration Testing to its roster of IT and cybersecurity offerings.
Penetration Testing is an NCUA requirement, though there are no real specifications for how often it should be conducted. Most credit unions default to annually, and many use internal resources to conduct pen testing. Internal resources, however, may lack insight into how bad actors operate and may also demonstrate blind spots to their own credit union’s potential vulnerabilities. By partnering with Optiri, credit unions receive access to a credit union pen testing specialist, who understands how credit unions work, what bad actors look for and how best to identify – and address – vulnerabilities. Pen Testing from Optiri can be conducted in several different manners:
“This is something our credit union partners have been asking for,” said Barry Lewis, Senior Director, Security & Consulting at Optiri. “They know they’re at risk, and they want to be proactive about finding and correcting those issues. We’re very excited to be able to now offer a solution for our existing partners and hope we can also be of aid to new credit unions as well.” Penetration Testing is now available through Optiri. Visit Optiri.com and click on Consulting Services to learn more.  Tim Pranger Appli, the creator of the industry's first AI-powered smart financial calculator, today announced that Founder and CEO Tim Pranger will be on-site at the 2026 Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC) in Washington, D.C., March 1-4, demonstrating the company's standalone real-time property value calculator — a lead generation tool designed to help credit unions turn home equity interest into member action.
"Credit unions are sitting on a massive, untapped opportunity with home equity, but too many members never take the first step because they don't know where to start," said Pranger. "This calculator meets them at that moment — gives them a real answer about what their home is worth — and turns that curiosity into a real conversation with their institution." Unlike traditional calculators embedded inside loan applications, Appli's standalone property value tool is built to function as a top-of-funnel lead generator — capturing qualified member interest before a formal application ever begins. Financial institutions can deploy it directly on their website to drive HELOC, refinance, and home equity loan opportunities. Pranger will be demonstrating the tool at Appli's exhibit space at kiosk K2 during show floor hours on Monday and Tuesday of GAC. Since its launch in 2024, Appli has gained traction among community financial institutions including Granite Credit Union and First Source Federal Credit Union, which have implemented the platform to strengthen their digital lending experience while staying true to their member-first mission. Credit union leaders attending GAC who would like to schedule time with Pranger can reach out to him at [email protected], or visit hiappli.com.  Neetu Bhagat Origence, the leading credit union lending technology company in the U.S., announced that its subsidiary, FI Connect, has expanded its embedded financing program to include home improvement lending. This expansion opens a new, strategically significant channel for credit unions, giving them direct access to home renovation loan opportunities sourced through established contractor networks.
By integrating financing directly into the contractor sales process whenever and wherever buyers are engaged, FI Connect delivers a streamlined borrowing experience for members. Credit unions can scale and diversify their portfolios across multiple channels through FI Connect as a lending partner with access to multiple marketplaces. FI Connect purchases and places retail contracts with partner credit unions nationwide, offering a seamless, fully digital experience for borrowers and lenders. Unlike other providers that sell whole loans or participations, FI Connect creates members for each loan on behalf of the originating credit union, allowing the credit union to retain the member relationship and the full value of the loan. FI Connect manages the operational, compliance, and technology complexity of embedded lending, allowing credit unions to scale into new channels without building infrastructure or contractor relationships. Consumer spending on home improvement continues to surge. In 2023 alone, banks and credit unions financed more than $2.1 billion in swimming pool projects, and the broader U.S. home improvement market is projected to surpass $400 billion by 2033 (Growth Market Reports). FI Connect’s expansion positions credit unions to capture more of this demand while extending modern, digital financing options to homeowners. “FI Connect is strategically reshaping how credit unions expand into new and emerging markets,” said Neetu Bhagat, chief financial officer at Origence. “Home improvement lending is a high‑impact opportunity for portfolio growth, and embedded financing ensures credit unions are front and center when homeowners make borrowing decisions. This expansion reflects our broader strategy to help credit unions remain relevant where lending decisions are increasingly being made outside of branches and traditional digital channels. By partnering with established, trusted providers, we deliver strong, well‑aligned loan opportunities that broaden credit unions’ reach while upholding the standards that define our industry.” The home improvement lending program offers sizable, unsecured, and secured loans to prime-credit homeowners for outdoor and indoor renovations, including pools, spas, decks, landscaping, and interior remodels. To further protect loan performance, proceeds are disbursed directly to contractors or brokers rather than borrowers. Homeowners also have the option to refinance through a mortgage once improvements increase their property value. This expansion complements FI Connect’s established success in embedded lending channels, reinforcing Origence’s commitment to helping credit unions participate in high‑demand markets with the right partners, technology, and lending infrastructure. For more information about becoming a participating credit union partner or retailer, please contact Brian Hamilton, head of embedded lending at FI Connect by emailing: [email protected].  Brad Calhoun Teachers Federal Credit Union, one of the largest credit unions in the United States with more than $9.9 billion in assets and over 472,000 members nationwide, and Corridor Platforms, a leading provider of decision intelligence automation and governance software, today announced their intent to launch Precision CUSO, a Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO) created to deliver advanced approval automation and AI-driven credit decisioning capabilities to credit unions across the country.
Precision CUSO will provide institutions with access to sophisticated decisioning technology that helps modernize lending and member engagement without sacrificing governance, compliance, or data ownership. The solution enables credit unions to automate credit approvals, streamline decision workflows, and apply data-driven insights at scale, empowering them to compete effectively in a rapidly evolving financial services landscape. Precision CUSO offers credit unions a hosted decision intelligence platform that supports custom underwriting, automated compliance controls, and built-in governance. Credit unions can develop and refine decisioning strategies using their own member data, while also integrating existing in-house or third-party models. These models and strategies are continuously tested and optimized through a disciplined governance framework, including champion-challenger testing, reducing manual intervention, improving consistency, and enabling faster, more personalized member experiences as needs and behaviors evolve. By leveraging a centralized decision analytics infrastructure developed in collaboration with Teachers Federal Credit Union, Precision CUSO connects data across core banking systems, loan origination platforms, bureau data, and other third-party sources to enable a holistic, real-time view of each member, supporting smarter decisions at every stage of the relationship. “Our partnership with Corridor Platforms has helped transform how we make decisions and serve our members,” said Brad Calhoun, President and CEO of Teachers Federal Credit Union. “With Precision CUSO, we are extending those same capabilities to credit unions nationwide — providing the tools to automate approvals, scale responsibly, and compete both today and well into the future, while staying grounded in the cooperative values that define our industry.” “The pressure on credit unions to modernize has never been greater,” said Manish Gupta, CEO of Corridor Platforms. "Precision CUSO represents a 'by credit unions, for credit unions' solution that combines the innovation of AI-driven decisioning with the governance, transparency, and member-centric values that define the credit union industry. In an AI-first world, we have collaborated closely with Teachers Federal Credit Union to build a solution that allows credit unions of all sizes to innovate, grow, and meet the changing needs of their members with confidence.”  Stacy Augustine CU Strategic Planning, a Callahan company dedicated to supporting mission-driven credit unions, welcomed the introduction of a new Senate bill aimed at strengthening Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and improving oversight of the CDFI Fund ahead of America’s Credit Unions Governmental Affairs Conference.
The bipartisan Advancing Financial Opportunities through Revitalizing and Developing CDFIs (AFFORD) Act, introduced by Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Mark Warner (D-VA), gained 28 additional Senate co-sponsors. The legislation incorporates elements from several previously introduced bills, and of significant importance to CDFI credit unions is the CDFI Fund Transparency Act (S. 2704), which requires the Secretary of the Treasury to testify annually before the Senate Banking and House Financial Services Committees on CDFI Fund operations. "The provisions of the bill that require the Secretary of the Treasury to testify annually before Congress both create greater transparency and allow the CDFI Fund to better communicate how CDFIs have a powerful impact on their communities," CU Strategic Planning President Stacy Augustine said. Mike Beall, CU Strategic Planning’s Chief Experience Officer, added, “The AFFORD Act makes it a priority that the CDFI Fund report to Congress annually and testify before Congress on how the CDFI Fund is implementing the programs that are founded in statute. We welcome this action and look forward to conversations on how the program is operating and to develop ways for it to accomplish even more with the funds it has be appropriated. Why Transparency Matters Beall elaborated, “We urge Congress to be aware of the regulatory burdens being created by the CDFI recertification process that create an environment where credit union lose or walk away from the CDFI certification.” CDFIs, he pointed out, are currently required to make 60% of the number of loans and 60% of the dollar amount of loans in their target market area. Beall added that this requirement should be reviewed, “to eliminate unintended consequences that may see the number of credit union CDFIs fall sharply in 2026. “It is possible for a credit union CDFI to lend more than 70% of the total number of loans to its target market of Low-Income Targeted Populations and Investment Areas and still not qualify as a CDFI because of the dollar-size of loans to a minority of members who are not in the target market.” Metallicus Expands FedNow® Service Capabilities WithRequest for Payment (RFP) Certification2/27/2026  Marshall Hayner Metallicus, a leading provider of digital banking and blockchain infrastructure for credit unions and regulated financial institutions, today announced it has achieved Request for Payment (RFP) certification for the FedNow Service, further expanding its real-time payment capabilities for credit unions.
Metallicus was previously certified for Send, Receive, and Liquidity Management through the FedNow Service. With the addition of Request for Payment, Metallicus now enables credit unions to initiate real-time, biller-presented payment requests directly through the FedNow instant payment rail—unlocking improved cash flow, faster settlement, and enhanced member experiences. RFP allows credit unions and their members to request payment and receive funds instantly upon approval, reducing reliance on manual invoicing, ACH delays, or card-based alternatives. When combined with Metallicus’ digital wallet solution, RFP supports real-time movement of U.S. dollars between checking and savings accounts and digital wallets, supporting instant settlement for digital asset purchases and redemptions within a compliant framework. “Request for Payment is a meaningful step forward in how money moves,” said Marshall Hayner, CEO of Metallicus. “With RFP now live alongside our existing FedNow Service certifications, credit unions can deliver more transparent, real-time payment experiences while maintaining control over liquidity, compliance, and member relationships.” The addition of RFP strengthens Metallicus’ real-time payments infrastructure by enabling: ● On-demand payment requests with instant settlement ● Greater payment certainty and streamlined reconciliation ● Improved liquidity visibility and control ● Seamless integration with digital wallet and digital asset workflows Metallicus’ FedNow Service capabilities are delivered as part of its broader digital wallet and payments platform, purpose-built for credit unions exploring real-time payments, digital assets, and blockchain-enabled financial services—without moving deposits or trust outside the organization.  Mark Eubanks The Brink’s Company (NYSE: BCO) (“Brink’s”) and NCR Atleos Corporation (NYSE: NATL) (“NCR Atleos”) today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Brink’s will acquire NCR Atleos in a cash and stock transaction valued at approximately $6.6 billion, comprised of 13.3 million shares of Brink’s common stock and $2.2 billion in cash, plus the assumption of approximately $2.6 billion of NCR Atleos’ indebtedness.
The transaction combines two leading financial technology infrastructure providers, joining Brink's global cash management expertise and route-based infrastructure with NCR Atleos’ end-to-end ATM management and services expertise as well as its owned-and-operated ATM network and fast-growing ATM as a Service (ATMaaS) outsourcing solutions. By bringing together the complementary products, services and software of the two companies, Brink’s will be able to provide financial institutions and retail customers with an even broader set of solutions. “This acquisition further supports Brink's ability to deliver enhanced customer solutions and accelerates our value creation strategy,” said Mark Eubanks, President and Chief Executive Officer of Brink's. “NCR Atleos is a partner we know well, and our business cultures are closely aligned around customer success, continuous improvement, and managing the interface between physical to digital payments to enable ease of cash acceptance and use. By combining our organizations, we gain critical scale and complementary, integrated capabilities to drive our ambitious growth strategy and provide new levels of service to our global customer base.” Tim Oliver, President and Chief Executive Officer of NCR Atleos, said, “This transaction represents a strategic opportunity for NCR Atleos. The extraordinary efforts of the NCR Atleos team over the two years since our separation from legacy NCR have strengthened our leading ATM installed base, sustained best-in-class service levels and introduced innovative products. Combining the complementary service-led businesses of Brink's and NCR Atleos will enable us to enhance offerings to financial institutions and retailers, and create more opportunities for our employees. The transaction delivers significant value to NCR Atleos shareholders and enables their participation in the future success of the combined company.” Strategic Benefits
Accelerating Growth and Shareholder Value
Transaction Details Brink’s will acquire each outstanding share of NCR Atleos for $30.00 in cash and 0.1574 shares of Brink’s common stock, which, based on Brink’s closing share price on February 25, 2026 of $129.58, reflects an implied value of $50.40 per share of NCR Atleos. The implied $50.40 value of the per share merger consideration represents a premium of approximately 24% over NCR Atleos’ closing share price on February 25, 2026, and a premium of 26% over NCR Atleos’ 30-day volume weighted average price. Post-closing, Brink’s shareholders will own approximately 78%, and NCR Atleos shareholders will own approximately 22%, of the outstanding shares of Brink’s common stock. The cash portion of the purchase price will be financed with a combination of cash on the balance sheet and new debt raised. Brink’s has obtained $4.5 billion in committed bridge financing from Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. Timing, Approvals and Governance The transaction has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2027, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals and the approval of both companies’ shareholders. Mark Eubanks and Kurt McMaken will serve as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, respectively, of the combined company. Upon closing, one mutually agreed upon independent director from the NCR Atleos Board of Directors will join the Brink’s Board of Directors. Advisors Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC is serving as financial advisor, Sidley Austin LLP is serving as legal advisor, and FGS Global is serving as strategic communications advisor to Brink’s. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC is serving as financial advisor, King & Spalding LLP is serving as legal advisor, and Collected Strategies is serving as strategic communications advisor to NCR Atleos. Investor Conference Call and Transaction Website Details There will be a live conference call and webcast to discuss the transaction on February 26, 2026, at 4:30pm ET. A live broadcast of the conference call will be available on both the Brink’s website and the NCR Atleos website. To access the live call, dial 888-349-0094 (in the U.S.) or 412-902-0124 (international). A replay will be available through March 5, 2026 at 855-669-9658 (in the U.S.) or 412-317-0088 (international) and use conference number 7137236. Brink’s and NCR Atleos Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Earnings Results In separate press releases issued today, Brink’s and NCR Atleos released their respective fourth quarter and full year 2025 financial results, which can be found on the investor relations section on each company’s website. NCR Atleos has cancelled its previously scheduled conference call for February 27, 2026. |
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