Here’s a number that’ll make you do a double-take: $60 billion.
That’s how much in assets State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) manages for its 3+ million members, making it the second-largest credit union in the entire United States. And when an organization that size decides to overhaul how it handles collections, people pay attention.
SECU just tapped AKUVO as its new collections technology provider, and the move says a lot about where financial institutions are heading. This isn’t just about swapping out old software for something shinier. It’s about finding a way to work smarter while keeping the member experience front and center.
Why the Switch Matters
Collections has historically been one of those back-office functions that runs on a mix of spreadsheets, phone trees, and the institutional knowledge locked inside veteran employees’ heads. SECU wanted something better: a unified platform that could actually see the full picture of what’s happening across their portfolio.
AKUVO’s platform brings together intelligent automation (fancy term for “the system handles repetitive stuff so humans can focus on the complex cases”), analytics that actually make sense, and digital tools that let members engage on their terms. Think of it as moving from a filing cabinet system to having everything in one smart dashboard that tells you what needs attention and why.
The practical benefits? Collections teams get better visibility into how accounts are performing, manual processes get automated away, and member interactions become more personalized rather than feeling like everyone gets the same form letter. Faster decisions, better data, less time wasted on administrative busywork.
Scale Meets Flexibility
Here’s the tricky part about serving millions of members: your technology needs to handle massive volume without breaking a sweat, but it also needs to bend when your needs change. AKUVO’s architecture is built to scale (it can grow with you) while staying flexible enough to adapt as member expectations evolve.
The platform’s omnichannel approach means SECU can reach members however they prefer to communicate—text, email, phone, portal, you name it. In 2025, that’s not a nice-to-have. It’s table stakes.
What the Decision-Makers Are Saying
“As we continue investing in technologies that strengthen our ability to serve members and support our employees, it is important that we work with providers who understand both the scale of our organization and our commitment to member service,” said Stacie Walker, Chief Credit and Revenue Officer at SECU. “AKUVO demonstrated a deep understanding of the credit union industry and a clear vision for how technology can help us enhance operational efficiency while maintaining a member-centric approach. We are confident AKUVO will help position SECU for continued success as we evolve to meet the needs of our growing membership.”
Steve Castagna, Chief Growth Officer at AKUVO, didn’t hide his enthusiasm: “SECU is one of the most respected credit unions in the country, and AKUVO is honored to earn their trust. Organizations of this scale set a very high bar for technology providers. Their decision reflects the growing need for modern collections technology that helps institutions operate more efficiently, engage members more effectively, and make smarter, data-driven decisions.”
The Bigger Picture
SECU’s choice reflects a broader trend: financial institutions are done with patchwork solutions that kind of work most of the time. They want platforms that help them run leaner operations while actually improving the member experience, not degrading it. When you’re managing billions in assets and millions of member relationships, getting collections right isn’t just operationally important—it’s essential to maintaining trust.
The fact that one of the country’s largest credit unions is betting on modernized collections technology suggests the industry is finally treating this function with the strategic importance it deserves. About time, honestly.