The Minnesota Credit Union Network just gave Kris Jacobsen a bigger desk—and a bigger mission. After nearly a decade as VP of Business Development, he’s now stepping into the Chief Growth Officer role, where he’ll be driving the strategic initiatives that keep Minnesota’s credit unions competitive and their 2.2 million members happy.
It’s the kind of promotion that makes sense when you look at the track record. Since 2015, Jacobsen has been the guy behind several of MnCUN’s most successful programs, turning “wouldn’t it be cool if…” conversations into actual services that credit unions can use.
Take TruLync Medicare Advisors, for example. What started as an idea has become one of those rare win-win scenarios: credit unions get a way to deepen relationships with members, and those members get help navigating Medicare—which, let’s be honest, is about as fun as reading the terms and conditions on a software update.
What’s Next for Jacobsen
In his expanded role, Jacobsen will be running point on business development, strategic partnerships, and MnCUN’s growing lineup of products and services. Think of it as going from coaching a winning team to also designing the playbook.
“As our credit union movement continues to change, there are tremendous opportunities to create more value for both our member credit unions and the consumers they serve,” Jacobsen said. “I’m excited to continue building solutions that help credit unions grow, become more resilient, and demonstrate the credit union difference.”
Mara Humphrey, MnCUN’s President and CEO, didn’t hold back on the praise: “Kris has consistently demonstrated an ability to identify opportunities, build strong partnerships, and turn great ideas into real value for our credit unions. His entrepreneurial mindset, incredible energy, and passion for the credit union movement make him the ideal person to help shape what’s next.”
Why This Matters
This isn’t just a personnel shuffle. The move signals that MnCUN is doubling down on innovation and strategic growth at a time when the financial services landscape is changing faster than ever. With someone who’s already proven he can spot opportunities and execute on them, Minnesota’s credit unions are positioning themselves to stay ahead of the curve—and keep serving their members better than the big banks ever could.