Talent development leader CUES is paying tribute to its late president/CEO with the John Pembroke Catalyst for Change Award, formerly the DEI Catalyst for Change Award. The award’s prize package has also been enhanced to include a seat, including travel costs, at the prestigious CEO Institute I: Strategic Planning, at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, valued at nearly $10,000.

“I can’t think of a more fitting tribute to honor John than by supporting talent development and DEI efforts, both things he was passionate about,” said Jerry Saalsaa, CUES interim CEO, speaking at CUES Symposium in Maui, Hawaii on Monday. “We selected CEO Institute I as part of the prize package because John was a Wharton graduate, and CEO Institute helps new and aspiring CEOs become great leaders—which was important to John. Additionally, we’ve started a scholarship fund to sustain this program and support the many future leaders who will benefit from attending CEO Institute I.”

The John Pembroke Catalyst for Change Award will be presented to a credit union that has demonstrated sustained support for advancing DEI in their workplace, raised awareness of workplace diversity and inclusion issues, been a catalyst for change regarding workplace DEI, and/or supported positive change within the industry, their organization, or their community.

CEO Institute I: Strategic Planning is the first segment of the esteemed three-part executive educational program which also includes CEO Institute II: Organizational Effectiveness at the Samuel Curtis Johnson School of Management at Cornell University, CEO Institute III: Strategic Leadership Development at Darden School of Business, University of Virginia, and the new CEO Institute: FinTech, at Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, Roosevelt Island, NY. 

The John Pembroke Catalyst for Change Award joins a roster of other prestigious awards from CUES including:

• CUES Outstanding Chief Executive Award, honoring credit union CEOs
• CUES Exceptional Leader Award, honoring credit union leaders
• CUES Distinguished Director Award, honoring credit union board members

Winners will be recognized during the CUES Awards Ceremony, happening October 19. CUES members can register here.
The nomination deadline for all awards is April 21.

To contribute to the John Pembroke Catalyst for Change Award scholarship fund, reach out to Tony Hill, CUES SVP/Chief Marketing Officer, at tony@cues.org.
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Visit cues.org/Awards to learn more. Learn more about CUES at cues.org.

​Co-op Solutions is introducing its Strategic Provider Program, giving credit unions access to pre-vetted, best-in-class products and services outside of Co-op’s core offerings, while also helping to streamline their procurement processes.
 
“Through the Strategic Provider Program, credit unions can lean on both the expertise and scale of Co-op as a trusted business partner,” said Dean Michaels, Chief Strategy Officer for Co-op. “We are dedicated to listening to and anticipating the needs of our clients in order to provide the right solutions at the right time to help them grow and thrive. We have done the leg work to help save them time and money. We also offer peace of mind knowing that Co-op has rigorously vetted and selected each approved provider for quality, stability and soundness.”
 
Origence and SavvyMoney are the First Providers Participating in the Program
 
Collaborating with best-in-class providers – particularly fintechs – and helping credit unions better compete in today’s demanding marketplace are at the heart of the Strategic Provider Program. Co-op plans to continually expand its roster of approved providers, with the first two partners in the digital loan and account origination as well as financial wellness marketplaces already on-board:
 
Origence (origence.com) has a long history serving the credit union movement and today supports more than 1,100 financial institutions with its enterprise technology solutions. Origence arc OS and arc DX offer credit unions a comprehensive loan and account origination solution. The solution is designed to improve the on-boarding experience for both credit unions and their members across every phase of the origination journey – from a user-friendly application process with field pre-population, to automated real-time risk decisioning, digital document upload, eSignature and real-time funding.
 
“Co-op has put together a tremendous program both for its credit union clients and business partners,” said Tony Boutelle, President/CEO of Origence. “As a CUSO, Origence knows how important a robust digital origination experience is for credit unions. With Origence arc OS and arc DX, we deliver a configurable and easy-to-implement platform, extensive integrations with core systems and  a frictionless end-to-end origination process.”
 
SavvyMoney (savvymoney.com) helps members understand their credit score, factors that impact it, what they can do to strengthen it, and see personalized loan and offer recommendations. SavvyMoney partners with more than 1,000 financial institution clients and seamlessly integrates with most digital banking providers, covering 97 percent of the credit union market.
 
“Co-op is a well-respected voice and leader in the credit union ecosystem, and we are proud to enter into this partnership.” said JB Orecchia, President/CEO of SavvyMoney. “SavvyMoney’s solutions will offer Co-op clients valuable credit score education and monitoring, share of wallet data and personalized offers. As a result, credit unions will increase engagement and deepen overall member relationships.”
 
“Co-op’s Strategic Provider Program is win-win for everyone,” said Michaels. “For the providers, it offers an unparalleled business opportunity to grow by exposing their brand and best-in-class solutions to Co-op’s base of nearly 3,000 credit union clients. For credit unions, they gain awareness of and access to these providers’ services very efficiently and at preferred commercial terms. And, for Co-op, we can extend our influence beyond our ecosystem of payments technology and offer what our clients need – fulfilling our role as a cooperative resource toward the mission of ‘People Helping People.’”
 
How to Participate – As a Provider and as a Credit Union
 
Potential participating providers can learn more about the Co-op Strategic Provider Program by visiting the webpage here.

Co-op clients interested in connecting with program providers can visit the webpage here. Clients can explore each provider’s profile page to learn more about their solutions and submit an inquiry to hear about preferred commercial terms to which they may be entitled.

ValleyStar Credit Union announces Katy Elizondo-Eastridge as its vice president of commercial lending to develop and execute strategic plans for commercial lending that minimize risk and ensure that policies align with company objectives.

Katy began her career as a member service officer at ValleyStar six years ago. She was promoted to business development specialist in 2019, then to commercial lender in 2021.

Katy played a critical role in the success of the commercial lending department, increasing the commercial portfolio to over $100 million and illustrating exemplary member service.

“Katy has had an exceptional career, and we’re confident that her expertise and dedication to our goals will help us accomplish our vision of being the best in service and convenience,” said Mike Warrell, ValleyStar CEO. “We know that we can count on her to ensure lending satisfaction to our members while prioritizing the wellbeing of her team members. She is a great asset to ValleyStar Credit Union.”

Katy is active in the community, serving as a member of the Danville After Hours Rotary and WeLead a women’s organization within the Danville Chamber of Commerce. When she’s not working, you can find her kayaking, going to concerts or at the local coffee shop with her son on Sunday mornings.

​NINE Design + Homes, the Detroit-based retail store and design studio behind HGTV’s Bargain Block show, has partnered with Community Financial Credit Union (CFCU) to help more Michiganders attain affordable housing. The recently launched partnership is dedicated to helping first-time, oft-overlooked homebuyers navigate Detroit’s changing real estate landscape.

Keith Bynum and Evan Thomas of NINE Design + Homes host Bargain Block, an HGTV program in which the partners restore rundown or abandoned Detroit homes into affordable, stylish starter homes for first-time buyers. Bynum and Thomas have renovated over 40 homes with more than 32 of them appearing on Bargain Block, which is in its second season on HGTV.

To expand the impact of Bynum and Thomas’ efforts, they have selected metro Detroit-based, $1.5 billion CFCU as their official financing partner. The partnership’s shared vision is to ease the barriers to homeownership for first-time homebuyers.

With Bynum and Thomas’ expertise in preparing homes for market, blended with CFCU’s commitment to financing that serves the needs of first-time homebuyers, the partnership plans to pursue projects over the coming months that will address the current pain points in metro Detroit’s housing market. The partnership will also explore a possible charitable foundation.

“As Detroit’s single-family home market has started to cool, it is allowing many first-time homebuyers previously priced out of the market to revisit their goal of achieving homeownership,” said Bynum and Thomas. “With the power of a financial partner like CFCU by our side, we’re eager to take our efforts to the next level. By elevating our abilities to bring the dream of homeownership to more people, it will positively impact our community and give a boost to metro Detroit’s economic development efforts as a whole.”

As a first step, CFCU has developed a special purpose credit program called Path to Homeownership. The credit union developed the program for buyers who may not qualify for conventional loans, with unique elements including no minimum credit score, low or no down payment, consideration for consistent rent payments, and valuation options. Path to Homeownership emphasizes fast decision-making, understanding the challenges many homebuyers face with closing on mortgages given the often-lengthy approval process amidst market or valuation fluctuations. This latest product builds upon CFCU’s offerings to help buyers secure financing and homeownership, including its signature 0% down payment program.

“As a credit union, our approach to underwriting puts the borrower's best interest first. We believe in walking with our members toward their impossible dreams, and we know that for many having a home where people can spend time and create memories with those they love feels impossible today. We commit to changing that,” added Tansley Stearns, president & ceo of Community Financial Credit Union. “We’re honored to serve as the financing partner for the good work that Keith and Evan are doing for the people of Detroit. Alongside Keith and Evan, we’re here to think boldly and ensure more Michiganders' visions of homeownership come true.”

The partnership will celebrate its launch with CFCU marketing campaigns featuring Bynum and Thomas, three “Keith & Evan” artistic designs for CFCU debit cards, featuring the duo as guests on CFCU’s recently launched podcast - Despite Impossible - and more.

Origence Lending Services, a division of Origence, announced record results for 2022, capping an 83% increase over 2021 and a 266% increase in loans funded over 2020. The provider of scalable outsourced solutions for credit unions ended the year with 154 clients, up from 105 in 2020. In the same period, the team grew from 95 to 275 members with an ability to flex with client needs while operating at scale.

“Helping credit unions succeed is why we created Origence Lending Services. We understand that it is about the member, and I am so pleased to say that we helped more than 475,000 credit union members with financing in 2022,” said Brian Hamilton, president of Origence Lending Services. “As the lending environment changes, we have added turnkey outsourcing capabilities—and partnerships—to help credit unions continue to thrive in 2023.”
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In 2022, Origence Lending Services launched HELOC and direct consumer loan support, as well as underwriting in eight different loan origination systems. Additionally, the company strengthened its partnerships with several auto refinance brokers, Credit Union Leasing of America (CULA), LoanStar Technologies retail and home improvement point-of-sale financing, and Lenders Protection by OpenLending, to allow credit unions to lend more safely on near-prime and non-prime loans. With customizable workforce augmentation solutions that can be implemented quickly and cost-effectively, Origence Lending Services is uniquely positioned to help credit unions navigate changes and product exploration.
 
“We can help credit unions solve the challenges of operating in uncertain economic environments,” added Brian Hamilton. “For many of our clients, we serve as a ‘virtual’ workforce, perfectly equipped to manage the changes in skilled staffing needed to respond to shifting market conditions. Now is the best time for credit unions to explore new products and augmented staffing as we build out flexible, scalable models with less downside risk associated with employee overhead.” 

Co-op Solutions will be helping credit unions tackle “The Invisible Revolution” that is transforming financial services at its THINK 23 conference, with contributions from world-class keynote speakers, industry experts and Co-op subject matter experts.
 
“A remarkable shift is taking place in the way people are moving money, as digital solutions are making it possible for fintechs to own both the entire payment transaction and the primary financial interaction,” said Samantha Paxson, Chief Experience Officer for Co-op. “Members want convenience, reliability and security, and they will piece together the financial services that best meet their needs now. At THINK 23, we will dive into the implications of ‘The Invisible Revolution.’ Co-op is convinced this revolution presents a unique opportunity for credit unions to reestablish their role in serving the needs of their members while charting a course for long-term growth.”
 
The THINK 23 conference will be held May 2-4, 2023, at the JW Marriott/Starr Pass Resort in Tucson, Arizona. Credit union attendees can register immediately at https://co-opthink.org/.
 
Jim McKelvey and Ron Shevlin First Keynote Speakers Announced for THINK 23
 
The first THINK 23 keynote speakers announced by Co-op include:
 
Jim McKelvey. McKelvey is the co-founder of Block, Inc. (formerly Square, Inc.), and remains a member of the mobile payments company’s Board of Directors. He was also appointed as an independent director of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Lous in January 2017, where he is currently serving as the Chair on the Board of Directors. McKelvey is the author of “The Innovation Stack: Building an Unbeatable Business One Crazy Idea at a Time” (2020).

Ron Shevlin. Shevlin is the Chief Research Officer at Cornerstone Advisors, where his research on banking and fintech trends helps shape the strategic direction of financial institutions and fintechs. Author of the Fintech Snark Tank on Forbes, Shevlin is ranked among the top fintech influencers globally.
 
“The acceleration of digital payments technology and transactional lifestyle engagement is not just another evolutionary step in the transformation of business,” said Paxson. “This moment is not only unusual, but also unprecedented. Jim McKelvey and Ron Shevlin will help us understand what is taking place throughout our society and economy, so that credit unions can begin to adopt an entirely new vision of what a thriving financial service provider looks like and propel our mission of People Helping People.”
 
A Truly Immersive Experience
As with every THINK strategic growth event since the content platform was inaugurated in 2008, attendees can expect access to exclusive research, memorable keynote presentations, credit union-specific Innovation Sprints and Master Classes, and networking activities, all combining to make THINK a truly immersive experience.
 
THINK 23’s content will begin with programming the afternoon of Tues., May 2, including special consulting and vendor meeting opportunities, and a welcome reception. On Wed.-Thurs., May 3-4, the conference will feature two very full days of content, with morning presentations by keynote speakers and industry leaders, and afternoons filled with User Group sessions, strategy roundtable and panel discussions, product demos, Co-op Advisor meetings and subject expert interviews from the Co-op Studio.
 
“A theme running throughout THNK 23 will be that the main concerns of credit union leaders – earnings, experience, and expenses – all call for payments as a path to meeting these challenges, engaging with members, guiding their financial behaviors and ultimately growing business,” said Paxson. “We believe this focus on payments will ultimately provide attendees with both an inspiring North Star of the potential future of credit unions – as well as tangible strategies that they can apply to day-to-day business right now.”
 
For more information and to register immediately, visit https://co-opthink.org.