​As Congress considers potential amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), including some that would enhance the CDFI Fund, America's Credit Unions is supportive of efforts to strengthen credit unions' ability to serve their communities. As you likely saw in a new LTE in American Banker and BadCredit today, Jim Nussle reiterated the industry's position on this issue and our association's longstanding and unwavering support for the CDFI Fund.
 
Below, please find a statement from Jim stressing the need to support legislation that will continue the success of the CDFI Fund and allow credit unions to better serve their members:
 
"It's clear that credit unions are a critical partner in the success of the CDFI Fund. Throughout the country, credit unions bolster the economic success and vibrancy of local communities. We must continue to invest in these types of programs and ensure funds are appropriately allocated to make the biggest impact possible. We will continue to support legislation that allows credit unions to better serve their members, whether as standalone bills or amendments to legislative vehicles that align our priorities with those of Congress and the Administration," Nussle said.
 
Here are some highlights from Jim's Letter-to-the-Editor, in response to a recent op-ed published in American Banker claiming that CDFI credit unions have an unfair advantage:
 
...
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"The CDFI Fund was created to serve people and communities often left behind by traditional financial institutions—and credit unions were explicitly included in the law and regulations implementing the program. The reason is simple: credit unions are mission-driven financial cooperatives, not profit-maximizing institutions. It only makes sense that their impact through the CDFI Fund would be strong."
 
"The numbers tell the story. For every $1 of CDFI funding, credit unions deliver a $12 return on investment. Nearly 500 credit unions are certified CDFIs, serving neighborhoods where banks have shuttered more than 20,000 branches over the past decade. During that same period, credit unions opened over 500 new branches—often the only local access point for affordable financial services in rural towns and underserved urban areas."
...

"As lawmakers face calls for a so-called 'level playing field,' they should see those arguments for what they are: deliberate misdirection and chronic misinformation. Credit unions are doing exactly what the CDFI Fund was designed to do—create economic opportunity, deliver strong returns, and empower communities. Congress should maintain its clear, consistent support for credit unions and their continued access to the CDFI Fund. The results speak for themselves—and so do the communities thriving because of it."

​In preparation for the 2025-26 academic school year, First Financial Federal Credit Union has partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Carroll County to donate $34,568 in support of their Power Hour program. This after-school initiative will provide homework support, tutoring, and creative learning opportunities beyond the classroom.
 
This donation will enable the Clubs to hire tutors from fellow First Financial partner McDaniel College, who will provide homework support, one-on-one tutoring, and small group study sessions throughout the academic year.
 
As a credit union founded by educators in 1953, First Financial understands the importance of supporting our youth in their academic journey. This program not only provides much-needed academic support but also teaches kids resilience and grit to overcome any challenges that may come their way.
 
“Programs like Power Hour offer students the academic enrichment they need to succeed,” said Eric Church, First Financial CEO/President. “At First Financial, we’re proud to help make those opportunities more accessible for youth in our community.”
 
For details on First Financial outreach initiatives, visit firstfinancial.org/community. To learn more about being a part of the First Financial difference, visit firstfinancial.org.

A new survey from Credit Union Leasing of America (CULA) reveals that credit unions are generally more optimistic about their auto finance portfolios than they were nine months ago, with the majority having seen an increase in auto financing compared to last year. Nevertheless, the vast majority (85%) expect that President Trump's tariffs will mean consumers delay vehicle purchases, with 65% of respondents anticipating that the tariffs will drive a decrease in vehicle sales. Only 21% expect Trump to soften his stance on tariffs and that the market will stabilize. The survey was conducted among credit union professionals in late June through early August of 2025.

Reflecting sentiment in CULA's recent consumer survey that showed affordability was the key factor in consumers' leasing vehicles, the majority of credit union professionals expect vehicle prices to increase over the next 12 months and that affordability will, indeed, lead more consumers to opt for vehicle leases over loans, with 75% of respondents expecting consumers to choose leasing over loans over the next six months. Rising prices on consumer goods, that are leading to a rise in cost of living, was at the top of the list of macroeconomic drivers expected to increase vehicle leasing. Echoing this, Experian reported that vehicle leasing increased from 23.71% in Q1 2024 to 24.69% in Q1 2025 [1]

​"While credit unions' positive outlook has increased, these survey results reveal that they also have concerns about the impact of tariffs on vehicle sales, as well as an expectation that vehicle prices will rise, creating affordability issues that, they expect, will drive more consumers to choose a vehicle lease in the next six months," said Ken Sopp, President of CULA. "This leasing increase is also reflected in the growth we are seeing in our business at CULA, as we help more credit unions offer their members the lower monthly payments and term flexibility vehicle leasing provides."
​
In spite of concerns about tariffs and rising vehicle prices, credit union professionals' sentiment about auto finance is more positive than it was nine months ago, with 77% of respondents reporting that they are somewhat (58%), or very (19%), optimistic about the auto finance landscape through the end of 2025, versus only 57% who were somewhat or very optimistic in the third quarter of 2024. Meanwhile, 84% surveyed expect their auto finance portfolios to grow (53%) or remain the same (31%) over the next six months, with only 16% expecting a decline. This could be because the majority of those surveyed have seen an increase in auto financing year-to-date compared to last year.

Of the 23% who are not optimistic, tariffs were the number one reason cited, with delinquencies, continuing inflation, and high interest rates scoring nearly as highly. In addition to the 71% of credit union respondents expecting an increase in vehicle prices as the vehicle market plays out over the next 12 months, 49% expect that credit standards will tighten, 42% expect that vehicle inventory will continue to decrease, while only 21% expect interest rate increases.

"The optimism expressed about their auto finance future by the majority of credit unions surveyed, even in the face of some market headwinds, is encouraging – and typical of credit unions. After all, credit unions prioritize helping their members with financing options in good times and bad," said Chris Harper, Director of Business Development for CULA. "Their expectation that their portfolios will grow in the next six months aligns with what we are seeing; and, as we partner with credit unions to help more of their members into vehicle leases, we are delighted to support that growth."

CULA's "Future of Auto Finance" snapshot survey was conducted online from June 24, 2025 through August 7, 2025 among 119 credit union professionals.

Key Survey Takeaways

• 65% of credit union professionals surveyed expect President Trump's tariffs on autos to drive a decrease in sales
• 71% say auto financing year-to-date has increased (58%) or stayed the same (13%), compared to last year; 29% have seen a decrease
• 84% expect their auto finance portfolios to grow (53%) or remain stable (31%) in the next six months, compared to the previous six months; 16% expect a decline
• 77% describe their overall feeling about the auto finance landscape through the end of 2025 as optimistic, with 58% somewhat optimistic and 19% very optimistic
• For the 23% who are not optimistic about the auto finance landscape for the balance of the year, tariffs were the number one reason, with delinquencies, continuing inflation, and high interest rates scoring nearly as highly
• 71% expect vehicle prices to increase over the next 12 months
• 75% expect more consumers to choose leasing over loans over the next six months, with rising prices on consumer goods, leading to a rise in cost of living cited as the top reason

​The Family Credit Union is proud to announce the launch of its Paw It Forward promotion, a community-driven initiative to support local animal shelters through auto loan funding. The campaign was inspired by and kicked off with a successful pet adoption event hosted at King’s Harvest Pet Rescue of Davenport on August 1st and 2nd, 2025.
 
As part of the adoption weekend, the Family Credit Union donated $1,500 to King’s Harvest Pet Rescue of Davenport, an amount that was matched by King’s Harvest, resulting in a total contribution of $3,000. The funds went directly to support the care, housing, and rehoming of animals in need.
 
Building on the success of the adoption event, the Paw It Forward promotion will run throughout August and September 2025. During this time, The Family Credit Union will donate $25 for every auto loan funded at any of its 10 branches. This initiative will stay truly local with each donation going directly to the animal shelter closest to the branch where the loan is processed.
 
With branches across the region, the promotion is expected to benefit six to seven shelters, including King’s Harvest and other hometown pet rescues across local communities in Iowa and Western Illinois.
 
“This promotion allows us to give back in a very tangible way,” said the Family Credit Union Marketing Coordinator, Bre Bicksler. “When our members finance a vehicle with us, they’re also helping provide food, shelter, and care to animals in their own neighborhood.”
 
Whether you're looking to adopt a pet, support local shelters, or finance your next car, The Family Credit Union is inviting the community to join them in making a difference, by pawing it forward.
 
For more information about Paw It Forward, visit www.familycu.com/vehicle-loans or stop by your local Family Credit Union branch.

​The Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC) applauds recent steps taken by the Small Business Administration (SBA) in addressing the growing crisis of “debanking” in America.
 
This week, the SBA has instructed more than 5,000 lenders to end debanking practices based on political, religious, or ideological grounds, carrying out President Donald Trump’s Executive Order, “Guaranteeing Free and Fair Banking for All Americans.”
 
DCUC commended the President for the EO, and stated, “This decisive action sends an unmistakable message: in America, access to banking must be based on merit and law—not ideology. We applaud the President’s leadership in targeting unlawful and politicized ‘debanking’ practices that have no place in our financial system,” said Anthony Hernandez, DCUC President/CEO.
 
“No law-abiding American or legitimate business should be shut out of the financial system because of bias or political pressure,” said Jason Stverak, DCUC Chief Advocacy Officer.
 
In late January, DCUC wrote to Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee Chair Tim Scott (R-SC) and Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), urging recognition of credit unions’ importance in safeguarding financial inclusion ahead of the Committee’s hearing, “Investigating the Real Impacts of Debanking in America.”
 
DCUC also spoke to this issue in an article with CUToday, titled, “Credit Unions: A Reliable Shield Against the Growing Crisis of Debanking,” highlighting how credit unions prioritize relationships over rigid risk models, offering a vital safety net for those unfairly excluded by mainstream banks.
 
“DCUC and our member credit unions stand ready to partner with the White House, Congress, the U.S. Treasury, and federal agencies like the SBA to strengthen financial inclusion and safeguard access to fair banking for all Americans—including veterans and military families who have served our nation,” said Hernandez.

Shapiro Summit, a leading conference for credit unions with under $287 million in assets, concluded on August 23 at the JW Marriott Anaheim — a two-day event marking the highest attendance in the summit’s history, with nearly 140 participants from three states. This year’s conference brought together industry peers to exchange ideas, engage in friendly competition, and collaborate on solutions tailored to the mission-driven vision of small credit unions.
 
The summit kicked off on Friday with a CEO Roundtable led by Scott Simpson, marking a bittersweet occasion. Simpson is President and CEO of California’s Credit Unions, Nevada’s Credit Unions, and Utah’s Credit Unions. It was his last Shapiro Summit before transitioning to his new role as President and CEO of America's Credit Unions in Washington, D.C. on November 3.
 
Simpson opened the conference, sharing a few words and reflecting on his time with the leagues. “This is the last Shapiro Summit I will have the honor of attending,” he said. “I am leaving with the full confidence that Shapiro credit unions across California, Nevada, and Utah will continue to fight the good fight. You are the heartbeat of the credit union movement, and your commitment to your members and communities is an example to all.”
 
Simpson said his move to Capitol Hill will allow him to amplify credit unions on a national stage. “I will always remember the collaborative spirit and passion for serving members that defines this incredible group of credit union leaders,” he added.
 
Heartbeat of the Event: Networking and Collaboration
Networking and collaboration defined this year’s Shapiro Summit. Friday evening’s activities included a networking social hour, followed by an evening of fun competition at Splitsville in Downtown Disney, where attendees enjoyed bowling, pub food, and beverages.
 
The networking continued on Saturday with the introduction of a new game, “Pin Trading BINGO,” a playful nod to the event's neighbor, Disneyland. Attendees were given BINGO cards and a pin upon arrival, encouraged to trade pins and get initials from at least five fellow summit-goers for a chance to win.
 
Throughout the conference, small credit union CEOs noted the event’s value. They said the content was relevant and provided a fresh perspective on the challenges their credit unions face. The small, intimate setting of the Shapiro Summit is routinely highlighted as a factor in its success each year, allowing for a level of open dialogue and peer collaboration.
 
The opportunity to connect with peers who understand the operating environment of small credit unions was exceptional, as attendees walked away with practical strategies they can put to work immediately. Saturday’s sessions were packed with topics, including:
 

• Humanizing the Digital Experience with thought leader Steve Langley, who discussed how artificial intelligence (AI) and demographic shifts are impacting the future of member service.

 

• Cybersecurity Strategies for Small Credit Unions with Trellance Senior Director of Security and Technology Consulting Barry Lewis, who provided best practices for protecting data and brand reputation.

 

• Compliance Meets Code: Navigating Regulation in a Digital World with Fuel Solutions Director of Compliance Support Heather Line, who explored how new technologies intersect with regulatory expectations.

 

• From Awareness to Action: Tackling Emerging Risks with TruStage Property and Casualty Consultant Alison Morris, who highlighted trends and risks that should be on every credit union’s radar.

 

• Rates, Risks, and Returns: Positioning the Investment Portfolio in a Changing Rate Environment with Catalyst Manager of Brokerage Services Johnathan Jackson, who offered strategies for optimizing investment portfolios.

 

• You Need a Mob: Change Management with CU Northwest National Sales Executive Megan Pieper and CEO Stuart Kuzik, who provided practical strategies for leading staff through technological and cultural shifts.

 
Collaborative Spirit and a Sense of Pride
Attendees also participated in a game of Credit Union Trivial Pursuit and had opportunities to win raffle prizes throughout the day. The conference wrapped up with a final raffle prize drawing, leaving attendees with new knowledge, connections, and strategies to elevate their credit union’s impact.
 
For those extending their stay, the Richard Myles Johnson Foundation hosted its flagship RMJ/Origence Golf Classic on August 25 at the nearby Strawberry Farms Golf Course in Irvine, CA.
 
“It was an honor to work with the Shapiro Group Committee and credit union leaders from all three states to host this year’s Shapiro Summit,” said Liz White, Education Director for Fuel Solutions. “Seeing our vision come to life for this record-breaking group was rewarding. Because of their collaborative spirit, we walked away with a sense of pride in the work we do and the future of small credit unions.”
 
Thanking Sponsors of Shapiro Summit
Each year, Shapiro Summit would not be possible without committed corporate sponsors, including:
 

• TruStage (System Partner).
• Catalyst (Diamond Supporter).
• Alloya Corporate Federal Credit Union, American Share Insurance—ASI, Excess Share Insurance—ESI, CU NorthWest, Envisant, InterLutions, Origence, Richard Myles Johnson Foundation, Right Choice Mortgage, and Velera (Supporters).

​MANTL, an Alkami solution team and leading provider of loan and deposit account opening technology, today announced the launch of MANTL Bulk Account Opening, a new feature designed to help financial institutions open multiple retail or business accounts through a single application. This capability enables bankers to boost operational efficiency, deepen customer relationships, and grow wallet share while delivering a faster, more seamless in-branch experience.

In particular, Bulk Account Opening is poised to transform in-branch business account onboarding, delivering substantial efficiency gains for frontline teams. Early adopters have already opened as many as 14 business accounts in a single, streamlined application workflow, reducing administrative burden and creating more opportunities to deepen relationships with business customers. 

“MANTL Bulk Account Opening takes an already best-in-class experience and scales it, saving clients and employees significant time while reducing the risk of errors,” said Alex Sulpasso, executive vice president, chief operating officer at Ascend Bank in Connecticut. “For businesses and households with multiple accounts, bulk account opening transforms convenience into true value. This feature is a natural evolution of digital onboarding, bridging efficiency with client satisfaction to help set Ascend Bank apart in a crowded market.”

Key benefits of MANTL Bulk Account Opening include:

• Increase wallet share: Seamlessly open multiple accounts for a customer in a single application
• Deepen relationships: Free bankers to focus on conversations that uncover account holder  needs, eliminating redundant clicks and manual workload
• Enhance experiences: Deliver a frictionless, intuitive onboarding process for both customers and branch staff

​“Bulk Account Opening is a game-changer for branch efficiency and digitization at regional and community banks,” said Benjamin Conant, co-founder and chief technology officer at MANTL. “By consolidating the process of opening multiple accounts into a single application and seamless experience, we’re giving institutions a modern, scalable tool to deepen relationships and drive meaningful deposit growth. Bulk Account Opening empowers frontline staff to have richer conversations, uncover more opportunities for cross-sell, and deliver exceptional value to every customer they serve.”

Bulk Account Opening is now available to MANTL bank customers and will expand to credit union customers later this year. For more information about MANTL or to schedule a demo, click here.

​Industrial Credit Union (‘Industrial’) has launched the Mahalo digital banking platform to serve its more than 30,000 members across Washington state. The implementation allows the credit union to enhance feature extensibility and deliver a next-generation digital experience to its growing member base.
 
Industrial has strengthened its technology foundation through deeper integrations between Mahalo’s digital banking solution and its Corelation Keystone core system. This native connection enhances real-time data access, streamlines internal workflows, and creates a more unified member experience across all digital channels. By reducing friction typically associated with third-party integrations, the credit union can rapidly roll out new features to keep pace with evolving member expectations, improve operational efficiency, and position the institution for long-term digital growth.
 
“We needed a partner that matched our passion for innovation, communicated transparently, and collaborated around a shared vision for the future – Mahalo delivered on all fronts,” said Dain Stevens, VP of Digital Services at Industrial. “Mahalo’s engagement and clarity throughout the implementation helped us to deliver a great conversion experience to our members.”
 
Mahalo’s digital banking platform helps credit unions offer robust functionality, advanced fraud prevention tools, and a secure, member-centric user experience. Mahalo’s team of credit union veterans brings a deep understanding of the operational pressures credit unions face, ensuring the platform is highly configurable and intuitive. The platform also includes the Thoughtful Banking® suite, which features built-in accessibility tools designed to support members with diverse cognitive needs, along with Credential Assurance Technology (CAT) to prevent credential-stuffing attacks and safeguard member data.
 
“Credit unions need solutions that are designed for long-term innovation and inclusion to effectively compete,” said Denny Howell, COO of Mahalo. “Our partnership with Industrial is grounded in a shared belief that technology should adapt to the member to create opportunities for meaningful engagement. We are proud to support the credit union’s mission to deliver an intuitive, secure, and accessible experience for every member they serve.”