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Serious brains, zero snooze—The Credit Union Connection dishes hot takes on fintech, compliance, strategy, politics & member magic for credit union leaders who get it.

America at 250: The Beauty of an Unfinished Nation

Supreme Court’s Rulings Shift Power to the President

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Four Payment Fixes That Turn Would‑Be Delinquencies Into On‑Time Payments

Stop Moving Pixels: Why Credit Union Marketers Need to Become Mad Scientists

Washington Tightropes, the NDAA and a Major Stage Announcement

First-time CEO Michael Peters shares his journey to the top

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Why Growth Happens When It’s Engineered

a horizontal sketch cartoon style of a man walking down a side walk in a town carrying a brief case that is hand cuffed to his wrist and the brief case is wrapped in a chain with a lock. he is waring an oversized Halloween mask that looks like the attached photo. he has a word bubble above him that says "I HOPE WHEN I JOIN THE CREDIT UNION THEY CAN HELP ME PROTECT MY IDENTITY BETTER Than THIS GET-UP THE BANK GAVE

Cartoon Of The Week: Identity Protection

This Financial Literacy App Lets High Schoolers Experience Adult Money Problems (Without the Real-World Tears)

25 Rising Credit Union Leaders Get Golden Ticket to Executive Development

These Credit Unions Just Made Forbes’ Best-In-State List — Here’s Why Members Love Them

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Credit Unions Push Congress: Let’s Actually Help Veterans Start Businesses (And Other Wild Ideas)

$3.47 Million Through Expanded CDRLF Grants This wide, infographic-style illustration highlights the impact of $3.47 million in Expanded Community Development Revolving Loan Fund (CDRLF) grants, emphasizing investments that strengthen credit unions and the communities they serve. Headline Dominating the top of the graphic is the bold headline: $3.47 Million through Expanded CDRLF Grants A supporting statement underneath reads: "Supporting innovation, technology, and underserved communities." To the right is a stylized map of the United States with interconnected glowing points, symbolizing the nationwide reach of the grant funding. Community Impact Imagery A panoramic strip across the middle showcases examples of how the grants support communities and credit unions, including: A credit union employee assisting a member. A neighborhood small business storefront. Affordable housing developments. A construction worker building new infrastructure. A cybersecurity and digital technology graphic featuring a shield and lock. A parent and child using a tablet together, representing financial education and digital inclusion. Together, these images illustrate the broad community benefits supported through the grant program. Grant Award Categories The lower half of the image presents six grant categories in clean, easy-to-read panels, each with a distinctive icon, the number of grants awarded, and total funding. Impact Through Innovation (Pilot Program) 3 Grants $300,000 New Charter Capacity Building 5 Grants $175,000 Student Internship 7 Grants $175,000 Technology, Cybersecurity & Artificial Intelligence 35 Grants $752,200 Training 5 Grants $103,800 Underserved Outreach 42 Grants $1,959,000 The Technology, Cybersecurity & Artificial Intelligence and Underserved Outreach categories are visually emphasized, reflecting their significant funding and impact. Footer A dark blue banner spans the bottom of the graphic with the message: "Investing in People. Empowering Communities. Transforming Lives." Alongside this is an icon representing people working together with the phrase: "Stronger Together. Better Together." Overall Theme The design communicates how Expanded CDRLF grants provide targeted investments that strengthen credit unions, promote innovation, improve cybersecurity, support workforce development, expand financial access, and help underserved communities. The combination of community photography, modern technology imagery, and clear funding statistics reinforces the nationwide impact of these grant awards and the role they play in building stronger, more resilient communities.

NCUA Just Dropped $3.47 Million to Help Credit Unions Serve Low-Income Communities

Credit Union Merger Concept This wide, professional illustration symbolizes the merger of two credit unions into one stronger organization through themes of partnership, growth, and shared purpose. At the center of the image are two large interlocking puzzle pieces—one blue and one green—coming together to form a complete connection. Each puzzle piece features a simple people-focused icon, representing the member-owned, cooperative nature of credit unions. Bright sunlight shines through the point where the two pieces connect, emphasizing unity, opportunity, and a bright future. Flanking the puzzle pieces are two modern credit union branch buildings, one on each side of the image. Landscaped walkways from both branches converge toward the center, visually reinforcing the idea of two organizations coming together as one. Across the top, the headline reads: "Stronger Together." A supporting line underneath states: "Two credit unions. One shared future." Below the central graphic are four icons highlighting the benefits of a merger: More Value for Members — represented by a people icon. Stronger Together — illustrated with a handshake. Expanded Services — shown with an upward-trending growth chart. Greater Impact in Our Communities — represented by hands supporting a heart. Anchoring the bottom of the image is a bold blue banner displaying the message: "One Mission. One Membership. One Bright Future." The design uses clean typography, modern architecture, vibrant blue and green colors, and bright natural lighting to create a positive, forward-looking message. Overall, the image conveys collaboration, stability, expanded member benefits, and the long-term strength created when two credit unions unite to better serve their members and communities.

Two Northern Virginia Credit Unions Join Forces in $1.1 Billion Merger

Through its Defending Credit Unions National Advocacy Fund, DCUC kicked off a targeted digital ad campaign on June 26, 2026, giving a public shout-out to Senator Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) for backing policies that keep affordable credit accessible to everyday consumers. The campaign runs through July 12 and will pop up across digital platforms and websites throughout the Cornhusker State. The ads aren't just feel-good fluff, though. They're directing people to GuardYourCard.com, where folks can get the real story about legislative proposals that could mess with credit card access and why keeping the payments marketplace competitive actually matters to your wallet. Why the Campaign Matters So what's this all about? Senator Ricketts has been pushing back against government-imposed price controls on credit cards—the kind of intervention that sounds good on paper but could create a domino effect of unintended consequences. We're talking reduced credit access, weaker fraud protections, disappearing rewards programs, and extra financial pressure on working families. Military households would feel the pinch especially hard. "If access to traditional credit products is reduced, many consumers, including the men and women in uniform, could be forced to rely on higher-cost alternatives, such as payday and predatory lenders," explains Anthony Hernandez, DCUC President and CEO (and retired U.S. Air Force Colonel). "We appreciate Senator Ricketts' recognition that drastic price controls on the payments system would have real consequences for consumers, especially military families." Translation: take away reasonable credit options, and people end up in the arms of payday lenders and other financial predators charging rates that would make a loan shark blush. The Bigger Picture Jason Stverak, DCUC's Chief Advocacy Officer, added his own praise: "We thank Senator Ricketts for his continued leadership in supporting policies that protect consumers and preserve a strong, reliable financial system." As Congress continues wrestling with interchange legislation (that's the fees paid between banks when you swipe your card), DCUC is staying on the front lines. Their mission? Making sure lawmakers and regular Americans understand why maintaining a secure, competitive payments system isn't just financial industry jargon—it's about protecting safety, encouraging innovation, and keeping financial services affordable for the millions of people who depend on credit unions. It's a reminder that sometimes the wonky stuff happening in Washington has very real implications for your everyday financial life. And occasionally, it's worth saying thanks to the people trying to get it right.Below the headline, smaller white text reads: "for protecting access to credit cards for America's veterans, active duty, and their families." The message emphasizes support for military personnel and their families by recognizing efforts to preserve access to credit card services. In the lower-left corner is the Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC) logo, featuring a stylized eagle with red, white, and blue patriotic elements above the organization's name. Overall, the graphic has the appearance of a public advocacy or appreciation campaign, using clean typography, patriotic colors, and a simple layout to highlight DCUC's gratitude for Sen. Ricketts' support of issues affecting military-affiliated credit union members.

Credit Union Advocacy Group Thanks Nebraska Senator for Standing Against Credit Card Price Controls

Credit Unions Through the Generations This wide, panoramic image illustrates the enduring role of credit unions in strengthening American families and communities across generations. The composition blends historical and modern scenes to symbolize more than a century of service, trust, and community impact. Left Side: Historical Roots The left portion of the image is rendered in warm sepia tones, depicting an early 20th-century main street with a neighborhood credit union. Community members are gathered around a table, representing the cooperative spirit and local financial support that helped establish the credit union movement during its earliest years. Center: Today's Families At the heart of the image, a smiling multigenerational family gathers together, symbolizing the people-first mission of credit unions. Parents and children share a joyful moment, representing financial security, opportunity, and the importance of building strong financial futures for the next generation. Right Side: Modern Community Impact The right side transitions into a vibrant contemporary scene featuring a modern credit union branch. A credit union employee warmly greets a community member with a handshake while volunteers unload boxes from a vehicle beside a sign reading "We're Here for Our Community." The scene highlights the role credit unions play beyond financial services through volunteerism, local partnerships, and community support. Central Banner A bold blue banner stretches across the center of the image featuring a shield emblem with a family icon. On either side of the emblem are the phrases: People Helping People. Communities Thriving Together. These statements emphasize the cooperative philosophy that defines credit unions. Historical Timeline Running across the lower third is a visual timeline illustrating the evolution of credit unions through key eras: 1920s: A simple idea takes root. 1930s–1940s: Support through hard times. 1950s–1970s: Growing stronger together. 1980s–2000s: Expanding access and empowering lives. 2010s: Innovating for a digital world. Today and Beyond: Building stronger futures together. Each milestone is represented by a circular photograph that reflects the people and communities served during that period. Foundation Themes Across the bottom of the image, five core principles reinforce the lasting mission of credit unions: Financial Stability Trusted Advice Fairer Financial Solutions Stronger Communities A Better Tomorrow Overall Mood The image conveys continuity, resilience, and optimism. By blending historic imagery with modern families and community engagement, it illustrates how credit unions have evolved alongside the people they serve while remaining committed to cooperative values, financial inclusion, and helping communities thrive across generations.

Credit Unions Launch Major Campaign to Remind Washington Why They Matter

This wide, futuristic illustration presents the concept of artificial intelligence transforming the lending process through automation, advanced analytics, and intelligent decision-making. The design uses a sleek blue color palette with glowing digital effects to convey innovation, speed, and trust. At the center of the image is a luminous digital brain representing an AI engine. The brain is connected by glowing data pathways to multiple information sources on one side and a loan decision interface on the other, illustrating how AI analyzes borrower information and delivers lending recommendations. On the left side, a series of connected data modules represent the types of information AI evaluates during underwriting, including: Credit history Transaction data Income and employment information Behavioral insights Alternative data Supporting graphics highlight the key advantages of AI-powered lending, such as: Smarter risk assessment Automated decision-making Fair and inclusive lending Improved member experience On the right side, a modern digital loan application dashboard displays a loan approval, including sample loan amount, interest rate, and repayment term. The interface symbolizes real-time approvals, streamlined underwriting, and rapid funding. Additional callouts emphasize business benefits including: Faster lending decisions Lower operating costs Higher underwriting accuracy Stronger member relationships Across the bottom of the image, a visual workflow illustrates the AI lending journey from application through funding and ongoing monitoring. Each stage is represented by clean, modern icons connected by directional arrows, reinforcing the concept of an automated, end-to-end lending ecosystem. Overall, the image communicates how artificial intelligence enhances lending by improving efficiency, increasing consistency, supporting responsible credit decisions, and delivering a faster, more personalized borrowing experience for financial institution members.

This Credit Union Just Ditched Its Frankenstein Lending System for Something Smart

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DCUC supports AFFORD Act & Padilla-Cramer CLF Amendment in FY2027 NDAA

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Tavant Just Dropped a Platform That Lets AI Agents Do the Heavy Lifting (So You Don’t Have To)

This bright, welcoming classroom scene depicts five elementary school-aged children enthusiastically participating in a financial literacy lesson. Gathered around a table, the students are smiling, collaborating, and engaged in hands-on activities designed to teach smart money habits. At the center of the group, one student holds a whiteboard titled "Smart Money Choices," illustrating four key financial concepts: Save, Spend, Earn, and Give, each paired with a simple icon such as a piggy bank, shopping cart, dollar bill, and heart. The children appear attentive and excited as they discuss the lesson together. The classroom is filled with colorful financial education materials. On the walls are posters labeled "Financial Education" and "A Small Step Today Can Lead to a Big Future," along with a goals chart highlighting Learn, Plan, Save, and Succeed. Educational graphics featuring budgeting, saving, investing, and financial growth reinforce the classroom's money management theme. The table is covered with learning tools including notebooks, colored markers, a monthly budget worksheet with a pie chart, a small stack of cash, coins, and a pink piggy bank, giving students practical examples of saving and budgeting. One student reads a booklet titled "Earn, Save, Grow," while nearby books feature topics such as banking, investing, and smart financial habits. Warm natural light streams through large classroom windows, creating an inviting and optimistic atmosphere. The overall image conveys collaboration, confidence, and curiosity while emphasizing the importance of teaching children essential financial skills such as budgeting, saving, earning, investing, and responsible spending from an early age.

Tower Federal Credit Union Just Made Teaching Kids About Money Way Easier (And Free)

Photos of Tami Webb, Tiffany Ford, and Daniel Berry

University of Michigan Credit Union CEO Honored as a Woman of Achievement; Vizo Financial Announces Board Members/Officers

John Crews Makes His Pitch to Oversee America’s Credit Unions: Here’s What He Promised

NCUA Gets Into the Birthday Spirit as America’s 250th Anniversary Approaches

Startup CUSO Wins Over CU Leaders With a Fresh Take on Home Affordability

Chartway Just Changed the Scholarship Game (and 13 Students Are $4K Richer)

Westerra Credit Union Lands in Top 10 for Mortgage Customer Satisfaction (Yes, People Actually Love Their Lender)

Local Credit Union Teams Up with Dawn Foods to Fund Juneteenth Scholarships

Two Credit Unions Just Won the Navy’s Highest Financial Institution Honor—Here’s Why That Matters

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