 Kris Kovacs FORUM52 today announced that Alloya Corporate Federal Credit Union has committed to serve as the Platform Sponsor of the FORUM52 leadership network for the next two years.
This sponsorship represents a major step forward in supporting FORUM52’s mission to provide high-quality leadership development, practical insights and meaningful peer collaboration for credit union leaders across the country. FORUM52 was created to help credit union executives, board members and emerging leaders access the ideas, tools and conversations they need to navigate rapid change in the financial services landscape. The platform brings together thought leaders, practitioners and credit union leadership teams in a single environment designed for continuous learning, strategic discussion and practical execution. As the Platform Sponsor, Alloya’s support will help ensure FORUM52 can continue delivering a robust and accessible leadership development experience for credit unions of all sizes. “The support of Alloya is incredibly meaningful to us,” said Kris Kovacs, Founder of FORUM52. “Their commitment to the cooperative system and to the long-term strength of credit union leadership aligns perfectly with the mission behind FORUM52. With partners like Alloya, we can continue expanding access to ideas, expertise and peer connection that help credit unions thrive.” The sponsorship will support the continued growth of the FORUM52 platform, including:
“Supporting initiatives that strengthen credit union leadership, collaboration and innovation is central to our mission of supporting credit union success,” said Tim Bruculere, Senior Vice President of Membership at Alloya. “FORUM52 represents an exciting new platform that puts the Power of Cooperation on full display by bringing industry leaders together to learn, share ideas and strengthen the credit union movement.” The partnership reflects a shared commitment between Alloya and FORUM52 to invest in the future leadership capacity of the credit union industry.
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 The National Credit Union Administration today announced the tenth round of proposed regulatory changes associated with NCUA’s Deregulation Project. The project is an ongoing review of NCUA’s regulations to ensure regulations are focused on credit unions’ safety, soundness, and resilience.
With today’s announcement, NCUA is requesting comments on a proposal that would clarify agency guidance and eliminate unduly burdensome and duplicative requirements in the Code of Federal Regulations related to bank conversions and mergers. These changes are intended to allow a credit union’s board of directors to exercise its fiduciary duties and business judgement rather than imposing a rigid, agency-defined process. The proposal includes: Bank Conversions and Mergers – Merger of Insured Credit Unions into Banks – 12 CFR 12 CFR 708 A Subpart C
MDT, a CUSO that helps credit unions navigate complex financial technology ecosystems, today released a new whitepaper, Extending the Digital Frontier - How Custom Banno Development Creates Digital Differentiation for Credit Unions, which explores how MDT partnered with Embers Credit Union, headquartered in Marquette, Michigan, to extend and tailor the Banno digital banking experience through secure, scalable custom development.
Credit unions have long differentiated themselves through service, relationships, and community connection. Today, however, differentiation must also thrive in the digital channel. As digital banking platforms become increasingly standardized, many institutions are asking an important question: If everyone uses the same platform, how do we stand out? The story illustrates the strategic value of customization, the infrastructure required to support it, and the broader implications for credit unions seeking to compete in a digital-first environment. “We’re not trying to win any flat-out races, we’re just trying to run our own race in our own communities, and that means being able to nimbly deploy our services and our ideas digitally,” said David Black, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Embers Credit Union. “As we move forward, the ability to quickly shape digital experiences – not just plug them in off the shelf – will become one of the defining advantages for Embers and other community-focused credit unions who still need to compete in the digital space.” “For MDT, this initiative represents more than a single client project. It reflects a broader evolution in how credit unions can approach digital innovation. Rather than relying solely on vendor roadmaps, institutions can begin building capabilities to experiment, iterate, and introduce new member-facing solutions more quickly,” said Matt Baaki, Chief Technology Officer at MDT. To learn more, download the full report, Extending the Digital Frontier - How Custom Banno Development Creates Digital Differentiation for Credit Unions.  Pierre Cardenas Working with Dolphin Debit has enabled Capitol Credit Union in Texas to pursue an aggressive, cost-effective strategy of generating members in areas where it doesn’t yet have branches – and prioritizing those areas for branches in the near future.
Capitol CU, based in Austin, is a primarily SEG-focused credit union for state government employees and other groups, and has been working with Dolphin Debit for seven years. It is only recently, though, that Capitol has begun taking advantage of new Dolphin capabilities in strategic ATM and branch placement. With a fleet of 10 ATMs, each Capitol branch is outfitted with one machine, as are seven other locations in central Texas. It’s an approach Capitol is enthused about. “Normally we would have to consider putting in a branch and making it an expensive proposition,” said Pierre Cardenas, President and CEO at Capitol CU. “But with the depository off-premise drive-up units, our members in high-density markets where we don't have a footprint are able to do their transactions.” One feature Dolphin Debit enabled for Capitol is integration with the credit union’s core system that allows the credit union to immediately give depositors credit for their deposits, rather than making them wait several days. Nightly, the deposits are checked against risk data and immediately credited to the account for those members with good records. Cardenas said Dolphin also steps up to handle ATM challenges for Capitol CU, such as when the credit union wanted an ATM at the state capitol building. The area around the building allows no cars, making it a big challenge for someone to drive in regularly to replenish the cash supply. Cardenas said Dolphin was instrumental in working with a preservation committee to find a solution. “We are actively working with Dolphin Debit in helping us identify new locations and markets,” Cardenas noted. “Dolphin is helping us strategically locate high-density locations for placing these depository drive-up units in new emerging markets. With new technology and capabilities to enhance and expand the use of these depository units, it keeps us in a strong competitive position in our market space.” “We're only so big,” Cardenas continued. “But we present ourselves much bigger than we really are with the right partner and help consumers see us as competitive and good at what we do. That is helping us capture business that we otherwise would never get.” “Clearly, ATMs are a huge part of the Capitol Credit Union strategy,” said Joe Woods, Joe Woods, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Partnerships for Dolphin Debit. “They are taking what we offer and using it to powerful advantage, both in serving existing members and finding the best locations to invest in physical branches.” League System Launches Fully Customizable Elder Exploitation Prevention Toolkit for Credit Unions4/24/2026  Fraud targeting older adults continues to rise at an alarming rate, placing vulnerable individuals at greater financial risk. As trusted financial partners, credit unions are often the first line of defense in identifying and preventing these crimes.
To support this critical role, the League System is proud to introduce the Elder Exploitation Prevention Toolkit—the second in a series of five member-focused toolkits that will be made available to credit unions throughout 2026. The complimentary toolkits are available for credit unions to customize and help educate members on an array of topics—from elder exploitation to credit union principles. “The strength of the League System is a direct result of our intentional collaboration. By cooperating to underwrite the cost of these resources, Leagues are able to offer the toolkits to credit unions free of charge. Leagues know combatting financial elder abuse is a huge priority for credit unions, and we hope these resources will make it easy for credit unions of any size to educate members, equip staff, and inform their community,” shared American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL) President Brad Miller. The Elder Exploitation Prevention Toolkit is a comprehensive, ready-to-use resource designed to support credit unions efforts to fight elder financial fraud through staff support, member education and community awareness. Fully customizable, the toolkit can be easily implemented across member communications, staff training programs, and community outreach efforts. What’s Included in the Toolkit:
Credit unions are encouraged to use the toolkit during June’s Elder Abuse Awareness Month or at any time throughout the year that aligns with their outreach efforts. By launching this toolkit series through its partnership with the American Association of Credit Union Leagues, the League System aims to strengthen the credit union movement’s collective ability to address critical member needs—starting with protecting older adults from financial exploitation. Together, we can help protect what matters most. For more information or to access the toolkit, please contact your League, or visit aacul.com/toolkit.  Joe Keller The Dakota Credit Union Association (DakCU) Board of Directors today announced the appointment of Joe Keller as its next President and Chief Executive Officer, effective May 11, 2026.
Keller brings more than three decades of credit union leadership experience, most recently serving as Vice President of Membership and Credit Union Solutions for the California, Nevada, Utah Credit Union Leagues. In that role, he led membership strategy, engagement, and long-term growth initiatives while overseeing strategic partnerships and solutions that addressed operational, regulatory, and growth challenges. Throughout his career, Keller has worked closely with credit union CEOs and executive teams to strengthen alignment across advocacy, education, communications, and operational strategy. His leadership has consistently focused on building collaborative frameworks that advance both individual credit union success and the broader movement. During his tenure with the California, Nevada & Utah Credit Union Leagues, Keller also held leadership roles in communications, marketing, and digital media, directing integrated strategies to strengthen engagement and visibility. Prior to his league experience, he spent more than 20 years at a corporate federal credit union in senior technology and operations roles, advising executive leadership on digital strategy, growth, and member service delivery. “Joe brings a deep understanding of advocacy and a proven ability to unite and elevate credit unions around a common purpose,” said Board Chair of DakCU and CEO of University Federal Credit Union Lacey Fetsch. “We are confident in his ability to strengthen our voice at the state and federal levels while ensuring DakCU delivers meaningful value to the credit unions we serve.” “I’m honored to join the Dakota Credit Union Association and represent such a strong, mission-driven network of credit unions,” said Keller. “I look forward to building on DakCU’s strong foundation, listening to our members, and advancing solutions that help credit unions thrive in their communities.” The selection follows a comprehensive national search conducted in partnership with D. Hilton Associates, which began in October 2025 and included input from credit union CEOs, DakCU governmental affairs committees, DakCU Foundation stakeholders, and board leadership. Keller will be based in Bismarck, North Dakota, and will begin his tenure by joining Dakota credit union leaders at the Dakota Credit Union Association Annual Meeting & Summit, taking place May 12–14 in Box Elder, South Dakota. The DakCU Board expressed confidence that Keller will continue advancing the association’s commitment to collaboration, reliability, advocacy, and member engagement, ensuring Dakota credit unions remain strong, connected, and well-represented at both the state and national levels.  Filene Research Institute’s innovation testing program, FiLab, has released findings from independent pilots of two financial technology solutions designed to address fraud, one of the most urgent and costly challenges facing U.S. credit unions. The results, drawn from structured tests across ten credit unions, document outcomes that significantly outpaced industry benchmarks: per-claim processing costs fell by approximately 90%, write-offs dropped 72%, and one institution saved an estimated $875,000 in its first year.
The findings arrive as fraud pressure on credit unions reaches record levels. In 2024, U.S. consumers lost $12.5 billion to fraud, a 25% increase from the prior year. Perhaps more alarming for credit unions: 66% of members say they would consider switching institutions after a poor fraud dispute experience, making operational performance in fraud response a direct driver of member retention. Automating Dispute Resolution: The Casap Findings FiLab’s test of Casap, a fintech platform that automates fraud dispute intake, tracking, guided resolution, and reporting while maintaining Reg E and Reg Z compliance, involved five credit unions, including one institution that had been live on the platform for more than a year. Staff at participating credit unions reported a 122% improvement in ease-of-use compared to prior systems, and error frequency in dispute processing dropped 63%. Overall staff satisfaction averaged 4.8 out of 5, with 93% reporting the platform made their job easier. At Chartway Credit Union, a full live deployment produced the research’s most striking data point: provisional credit posting time dropped from 20 minutes to near instant. Per-claim costs fell roughly 90%, write-offs decreased 72%, the chargeback win rate increased 95%, and first-year savings reached an estimated $875,000. “Fraud is one of the most complex and costly challenges credit unions face today, and it demands solutions that deliver both efficiency and trust. Our success with Casap shows how powerful modern dispute automation can be, and FiLab’s independent research is critical in validating those results beyond a single institution. Evidence-based research like this gives credit unions confidence to modernize faster, reduce risk, and provide the timely, transparent experiences members expect.” — Rob Keatts, Chartway Credit Union EVP and Chief Growth Officer Rethinking Call Center Authentication: The IDgo Findings FiLab also tested IDgo, which uses a device-based authentication method, replacing knowledge-based verification questions such as a mother’s maiden name or childhood street. The member receives a secure link from the agent, taps to verify using their phone’s built-in authentication, and both the member and agent receive confirmation in real time. The process is fast, typically completed in seconds, and avoids the need for members to verbally share sensitive personal information. The pilot included five credit unions and a 650-member live deployment. Among members, 82% said IDgo was faster than traditional authentication methods; 81% of call center agents agreed. Eighty-five percent of agents said they believed the tool would reduce fraud risk. Overall satisfaction averaged 4.0 out of 5. One finding challenged assumptions about older members and adoption of new technology: members aged 65 and older gave IDgo the highest satisfaction scores of any age group, at 4.1 out of 5. The assumption that older adults would resist or struggle with mobile authentication technology did not hold up under real-world conditions, a finding with meaningful implications for credit unions whose membership skews older. "The IDgo data delivered one of the standout signals from this entire research cycle: members 65 and older rated the experience higher than any other age group. The takeaway is that when it comes to improving digital experiences, it isn't about age, it's about design. When authentication is genuinely easier and faster, every member benefits." — McKaye Black, Head of Incubation, Filene Research Institute Why Innovation Testing Matters FiLab’s pilots are conducted by partnering with credit unions using fintech solutions in real operational environments, not controlled demos. This methodology is designed to give credit union leaders research they can actually act on. Both Casap and IDgo are currently available for broader adoption within the credit union system. Download the full 2025 FiLab results for Casap and IDgo for the complete data, methodology, and implementation guidance. Interested in running your own innovation pilot? Contact McKaye Black, Filene’s Head of Incubation, at [email protected]. To see the latest FiLab results, follow Filene on LinkedIn and Instagram.  The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) today announced a Request for Information (RFI) on opportunities to enhance and streamline NCUA’s data collections. Specifically, this RFI seeks input from credit unions on data collected through the 5300 Call Report, 5310 Corporate Call Report, and Form 4501A Profile.
These reports provide NCUA with critical details on credit unions' financial condition, updates on management changes and roles, payment systems, designation status, and other essential data. As NCUA works to further simplify and reduce compliance burden, this RFI solicits stakeholder feedback on potential methods to improve and refine the reporting process. Comments may be submitted using one of the following methods. Please send comments by one method only.
The RFI comment period ends on June 22, 2026. DCUC Comments on NCUA Proposals to Modernize Chartering, Conversion, and Merger Regulations4/20/2026  Anthony Hernandez Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC) submitted three comment letters to the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) in response to the agency’s fifth round of Deregulation Proposals. DCUC addressed proposed changes related to Chartering and Field of Membership for Federal Credit Unions; Conversion of Insured Credit Unions to Mutual Savings Banks; and Mergers of Insured Credit Unions into other credit unions, as well as voluntary termination or conversion of insured status.
DCUC appreciates the NCUA’s continued efforts to modernize and streamline its regulatory framework to reduce unnecessary compliance burdens while maintaining strong consumer protections. “Regulatory clarity and flexibility are essential to credit unions in order to best serve the financial needs of their members and communities,” said Anthony Hernandez, DCUC President/CEO. “We commend the NCUA for advancing thoughtful deregulation efforts that remove outdated requirements while preserving the safeguards that protect credit union members. These changes, when properly balanced, allow credit unions to devote more resources to service, innovation, and financial readiness.” In its letter on Chartering and Field of Membership, DCUC supported the NCUA’s proposal to rescind Interpretative Ruling and Policy Statement (IRPS) 06-1, noting that its provisions have already been incorporated into Chapter 3 of the Chartering Manual, published in Appendix B to Part 701 of the agency’s regulations. Regarding conversions to mutual savings banks, DCUC supported proposals to eliminate requirements to publish notices in newspapers, remove prescriptive formatting and font requirements for member communications, and eliminate non-binding “Voter Guidelines” from regulatory text. However, DCUC opposed the removal of formatting and font size clarifications within the NCUA’s “clear and conspicuous” standard, emphasizing that these elements provide credit unions with a consistent and reliable method to ensure compliance and transparency. Jason Stverak, DCUC Chief Advocacy Officer, adds, “Maintaining clear communication standards helps ensure that members fully understand significant changes that may impact their credit union, and as a result, reinforces trust and accountability across the entire system.” In its comments on mergers and the termination or conversion of insured status, DCUC supported the removal of specific formatting requirements for disclosures related to the loss of federal share insurance. However, DCUC did not support eliminating the NCUA’s process for seeking and publishing member feedback on proposed mergers, noting that the transparency benefits to members outweigh any administrative burden. “Member voice is a cornerstone of the credit union model,” Stverak says. “Preserving opportunities for member feedback during mergers ensures that credit unions remain accountable to the people they serve and that decisions are made with full transparency.” DCUC looks forward to continuing to engage with the NCUA on its broader Deregulation Project and remains committed to working collaboratively to advance policies that strengthen credit unions and the communities they serve. If you have any questions regarding DCUC's recent comments, please contact Jason at [email protected]. Callahan & Associates announced today the launch of CU Profiles, a new free plan within its performance measurement platform, Peer Suite. Built on the belief that every credit union deserves access to clear, meaningful data, CU Profiles removes the cost and complexity that has historically kept institutions from the insights their peers rely on. Designed exclusively for credit union employees, CU Profiles gives leaders a no-cost, no-manual-work way to understand how their institution is performing and gain the clear, actionable insights needed to make decisions that lead to better member outcomes.
For too many credit unions, turning call report data into meaningful insight has meant hours of manual work or simply going without. CU Profiles is built to empower leaders with data-driven context to tell a more complete story about where the credit union stands today and where it can go next to support planning, board conversations, and ongoing performance monitoring. The financial analytics platform removes that friction by delivering clear, formatted views and peer context in minutes. “Credit unions need clear, credible insights to make smart decisions,” said Jennifer Davis, Senior Vice President. “CU Profiles helps bridge the gap between raw data and real understanding — making it easier to see the story and act on it.” CU Profiles helps credit union leaders:
Callahan believes every credit union, regardless of size or resources, deserves access to data that is clear, fast, and built to drive action. CU Profiles is that starting point: a powerful, free tool that helps leaders understand where their credit union stands today and make confident decisions about where it goes next. How To Get Started Credit unions can register for CU Profiles here and begin exploring their performance in just a few clicks. |
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