CUCollaborate Blog

News & Insight From the Credit Union Industry

Starlight and CUCollaborate Charts Path Toward Financial Security for Credit Union Members

Press Release

Strategic Alliance Provides Low-Income Communities with Access to Unclaimed Government Benefits

CUCollaborate Team

Published

Feb 4

2026

Starlight and CUCollaborate Charts Path Toward Financial Security for Credit Union Members

Press Release

Strategic Alliance Provides Low-Income Communities with Access to Unclaimed Government Benefits

CUCollaborate Team

Published

Feb 4

2026

CDFI Fund appropriated $324 Million for FY26

CDFI Fund

Congress has appropriated $324 million for the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund for 2026

Armand Parvazi, MBA, CUDE

Published

Feb 3

2026

Starlight and CUCollaborate Charts Path Toward Financial Security for Credit Union Members

Press Release

Strategic Alliance Provides Low-Income Communities with Access to Unclaimed Government Benefits

CUCollaborate Team

Published

Feb 4

2026

CDFI Fund appropriated $324 Million for FY26

CDFI Fund

Congress has appropriated $324 million for the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund for 2026

Armand Parvazi, MBA, CUDE

Published

Feb 3

2026

Smarter Savings Association: A New Path to Field of Membership Growth

Field of Membership Expansion

CUCollaborate is partnering with the Smarter Savings Association to expand literacy education and provide a new avenue for field of membership expansion.

CUCollaborate Team

Published

Feb 3

2026

Reciprocal Deposits and Low-Income Credit Unions

Low-Income Designation

What LID Allows, How It Works, and What Credit Unions Should Know

Jason Rusten

Published

Feb 2

2026

What is the CDFI Fund and How Can it Help Your Credit Union

CDFI Fund

A CDFI certification can be a powerful tool for Credit Unions. This blog breaks down what Credit Unions need to know about the certification.

CUCollaborate Team

Published

Feb 2

2026

New Report Shows Positive Credit Union Perception Slipping with Gen Z

Press Release

Survey of 1000 consumers shows large generational discrepancies in Credit Union brand recognition

CUCollaborate Team

Published

Jan 28

2026

How Credit Unions Can Connect with Underserved Borrowers Through Auto Loan Refinancing

Business & Growth Strategies

Discover how auto loan refinancing partnerships help credit unions reach low-income designated and CDFI-eligible consumers while supporting strategic growth initiatives.

CUCollaborate Team

Published

Dec 11

2025

Government Open for Business: CDFI Credit Unions Should Act Now

CDFI Fund

The government has resumed operations allowing the CDFI Fund office to stay the course thanks to a reversal in previous layoffs

Armand Parvazi, MBA, CUDE

Published

Nov 18

2025

Understanding the Growth Trajectory of New Credit Union Branches

Branch Strategy & Analysis

Projecting deposit growth for new branches helps credit unions set realistic expectations and make informed expansion decisions.

CUCollaborate Team

Published

Nov 14

2025

Staying Ready: How Credit Unions Can Maintain CDFI Certification Through Uncertainty

CDFI Fund

Stay mission-focused amid uncertainty. Learn why monitoring your CDFI Target Market lending now is critical for maintaining certification, preparing for 2026 recertification, and ensuring impact in underserved communities—even as Washington remains in flux.

Jeff Bailey

Published

Nov 4

2025

Critical Issues Facing Credit Unions: Key Takeaways from Industry Leaders

Advocacy

As we approach the 2026 midterm elections, credit unions face significant challenges that will shape the industry's future. Our recent virtual town hall brought together leaders from across the credit union movement to discuss advocacy priorities, regulatory concerns, and effective engagement strategies. Here are the essential insights from this critical conversation.

CUCollaborate Team

Published

Oct 23

2025

Maximizing the Benefits of LID: Strategic Approaches to Attainment and Retention

Low-Income Designation

Discover practical ways to qualify for and maintain the NCUA’s Low-Income Designation while maximizing its benefits.

Lara Gooding

Published

Oct 21

2025

Recent Changes to the CDFI Fund and the Need for Advocacy

CDFI Fund

Recent changes to the CDFI Fund require advocacy to ensure that the fund continues its critical mission.

Sam Brownell

Published

Oct 14

2025

2025 CDRLF Grant Funding Announced: Is Your Credit Union Ready to Apply?

New Credit Union Loan Fund

Discover how low-income-designated credit unions can secure funding through the National Credit Union Administration's 2025 Community Development Revolving Loan Fund (CDRLF) grant program and how strategic planning can maximize your chances of success.

CUCollaborate Team

Published

Oct 1

2025

Credit Union Mergers: Board Member Fiduciary Duties & Strategic Planning

Credit Union Mergers

Explore credit union mergers, fiduciary duties, and board responsibilities. Learn how to evaluate merger partners, protect member interests, and implement data-driven strategies.

CUCollaborate Team

Published

Sep 29

2025

CUCollaborate and The Element Group Bring Transformative Branching Services to Credit Unions

Press Release

Partnership Combines Data-Driven Market Analysis with Award-Winning Design-Build Services

CUCollaborate Team

Published

Aug 28

2025

Collaborative SEO: A Lead-Generation Game Plan for Smaller Credit Unions

Marketing Strategies & Tactics

Collaborative SEO hub routes high-intent searchers to credit unions they’re eligible to join—pay only for confirmed members or loans.

Sam Brownell

Published

Jun 26

2025

a mirrored image of the capitol building in washington dc on rippling water

Regulatory Shakeup Fails to Slow Charter Growth in Q1 2025

Field of Membership Expansion

Charter and FOM approvals rose in Q1 2025 despite NCUA uncertainty. See the year-over-year trends driving credit union growth.

Chris Tissue

Published

Jun 5

2025

a man and woman dancing with their dog in a home renovation

TGUC Partnership Helps Credit Unions Grow Through Embedded Home Financing

Business & Growth Strategies

Discover how credit unions can grow lending and support their goals with flexible home improvement financing solutions.

Ben Hering

Published

May 16

2025

A top-down image of a neighborhood taken from the sky

Beyond Boundaries: A Fresh Look at Credit Union Market Expansion

Field of Membership Expansion

Learn how credit unions can use data-driven strategies to rethink Field of Membership, align growth with mission, and expand with purpose.

Emily Hughes

Published

May 13

2025

two people reviewing documents at a desk with a laptop and calculator on the desk

How Credit Unions Can Compete in Embedded Secured Lending

Business & Growth Strategies

Explore how CUCollaborate, LoanStar, and GreenLyne help credit unions expand HELOC lending with embedded secured lending technology.

Ben Hering

Published

May 8

2025

A black and white image of two people grasping hands in a handshake

Credit Union Mergers Can Make the World a Better Place

Mergers

Ensuring credit union mergers are in members’ best interests.

Sam Brownell

Published

Apr 30

2025

TGUC and CUCollaborate Partner to Boost Lending Access

Company News

New partnership connects CDFI credit unions with borrowers through flexible home improvement lending solutions.

Ben Hering

Published

Apr 25

2025

Woman at desk on phone writing on a pad of paper

Future-Ready Lending: How Truvion's Loan Solutions Support Credit Unions

Business & Growth Strategies

Learn how Truvion helps credit unions grow membership and lending with CDFI-aligned solutions across mortgages, personal loans, and small business.

Ben Hering

Published

Apr 23

2025

Impact Reporting and SEG Strategies for Credit Unions

Business & Growth Strategies

Learn how credit unions use data-driven impact reports to drive advocacy, boost SEG engagement, and support strategic growth efforts.

Ben Hering and Deliana Gamez

Published

Apr 18

2025

Truvion Partners with CUCollaborate to Bring Mortgage and Commercial Lending to Credit Unions

Company News

Truvion and CUCollaborate Support Credit Unions’ CDFI and LID Goals Through Unique Lending Products

Ben Hering

Published

Apr 9

2025

Two women discuss while sitting at a table together in front of a laptop computer

Busting the Myth of the Decline of SEGs

Business & Growth Strategies

SEGs aren’t dead—they’re evolving. Learn why they remain one of the most effective, strategic growth channels for credit unions today.

Deliana Gamez

Published

Apr 8

2025

An image of a sprawling region of developed land, taken from a plane or high up in a building, overlooking.

Rethinking Credit Union Growth: Unlocking Market Expansion Opportunities

Field of Membership Expansion

Learn actionable insights on market expansion strategies for credit unions. Simplify growth, optimize field of membership, and measure impact.

Emily Hughes and Chris Tissue

Published

Mar 27

2025

CDFI Fund Moving Forward Amid Trump Executive Order

CDFI Fund

The Executive Order targets the reduction of non-statutory components of various federal programs, including the CDFI Fund.

CUCollaborate Team

Published

Mar 24

2025

A crowded university library with many students working dilligently at long tables

Position Your Credit Union for Long-Term Success with LendKey's Student Lending

Business & Growth Strategies

Discover how our new partnership with LendKey empowers credit unions to attract younger members and expand through student lending.

Ben Hering

Published

Mar 14

2025

CUCollaborate and LendKey Partner to Help Credit Unions Attract Student Borrowers

Company News

CUCollaborate announces a new strategic partnership with LendKey Technologies.

Ben Hering

Published

Mar 7

2025

Supporting Credit Union Advocacy Through Project Zip Code

Business & Growth Strategies

Credit unions can use Project Zip Code and impact reporting to strengthen advocacy, showcase their value, and protect their mission with data-driven insights.

Ben Hering

Published

Feb 13

2025

A row of 4 colorful pawn chess pieces next to one another.

Defending Credit Unions: The Power of Data and Collective Action

Industry News

Credit unions must unite to protect their mission. See how advocacy, collaboration, and Project Zip Code amplify their voice with lawmakers.

Ben Hering

Published

Feb 3

2025

CUCollaborate Expands Team for 2025 with Strategic Hires

Company News

CUCollaborate adds four strategic hires to enhance advisory, business development, and marketing support for credit unions.

CUCollaborate Team

Published

Jan 31

2025

A photo of an LED light which says "OPEN"

CDFI Grant Freeze Lifted—What It Means for Credit Unions

CDFI Fund

After a brief freeze on federal grants and loans, the CDFI Fund has lifted restrictions, allowing FA and TA award applications to proceed.

Jeff Bailey

Published

Jan 29

2025

A generated image of the US Treasury with open gates

CDFI Fund Opens 2025 FA and TA Awards Application Round

CDFI Fund

Navigate the CDFI Fund’s 2025 FA and TA application process with key deadlines, eligibility criteria, and funding strategies.

Jeff Bailey

Published

Jan 17

2025

A human hand resting on top of a neat stack of cash

Preparing for the CDFI Fund’s 2025 Financial Assistance and Technical Assistance Programs

CDFI Fund

Discover how credit unions can leverage the CDFI Fund's 2025 FA and TA programs to secure funding, drive growth, and expand their impact.

Jeff Bailey

Published

Jan 14

2025