CEO Advisory GroupCredit Unions Must Evolve to Thrive
Any credit union using yesterday’s business practices to operate in today’s fast-paced business environment will struggle to survive into the future. The best-performing credit unions have consistently reinvented themselves to keep pace with the evolving financial services landscape—defined… Read More
What Should You Be Looking for in a Successor CEO?
Succession planning is getting considerable attention in 2025, as the deadline draws nearer to the NCUA final rule requiring that federally insured credit unions have a written plan. With just a few months until the Jan. 1, 2026,… Read More
In Prioritizing Succession Planning, Credit Unions May Also Wish to Consider Mergers
Succession planning has been a hot topic in the credit union space over the last several years, fueled in part by the National Credit Union Association’s rule that requires federal credit unions to establish a formalized succession planning… Read More
Three Pathways for Credit Unions to Achieve Scale
Scale is one of the hottest topics in credit union operations these days. With the rising cost of technology, operations, talent acquisition, and other business functions, the need for credit unions to become simultaneously bigger and more efficient… Read More
Careful Planning is Essential to Successfully Executing a Merger with Another Credit Union
Difficult economic conditions, increased funding costs and competition from larger institutions will continue to drive credit unions to combine to sharpen their competitive edge. The number of mergers of credit unions with assets of $500 million and above… Read More
How Mergers Can Build the Talent Pipeline
Where will your future leaders come from? The question has taken on greater urgency in today’s quickly changing workforce. CEOs are retiring at an unprecedented rate, fueled by the demographic reality of 10,000 baby boomers turning 65 every… Read More
Two Key Issues for Boards: Succession Planning and Merger Considerations
by Teresa Freeborn, Guest Writer Board succession planning is as important as executive succession planning, but often it’s simply not done because it’s not perceived to be urgent. Some board members seem to view their role as a… Read More
Too Many Credit Unions Lack a Merger Policy
There are two potential approaches that credit unions can take to address merger opportunities: proactive or reactive. A proactive approach entails having a structured policy in place for uncovering and considering potential merger opportunities. A reactive approach often… Read More
CEO Perspective – Obstacles to Mergers
We’ve talked about the people or groups of people who are sometimes averse to considering a merger when a potential partner presents itself, but we haven’t really addressed the merger obstacles that often keep leaders from considering integrating… Read More
Credit Union Guidelines for Merger Proposals
Has your board of directors developed a former merger policy or guidelines for considering a merger? If you answered “no”, you’re not alone. According to a study conducted by CEO Advisory Group, an overwhelming majority of boards do… Read More
Director Perspective – Obstacles to Mergers
We all know credit union mergers have become more and more common in recent decades. With this, however, there are still many leaders who aren’t sold on the idea. What merger obstacles are standing in the way of… Read More
M&A Trends in 2021
Exclusive Webinar for Credit Union Executives Following a lackluster year for mergers and acquisitions, the market is anticipated to heat up as consumer behavior evolves, economic conditions improve post-COVID-19, and the regulatory environment continues to change. Credit unions… Read More
Open Doors To Capital With Subordinated Debt
Regulatory Capital Strategy The NCUA’s upcoming final rule will relax the restrictions on credit unions’ eligibility to issue subordinated debt. Previously, the issuance of subordinated debt was restricted to low income designated credit unions. Subordinated debt can be… Read More
Mergers Dismissed Without Consideration
When a credit union is faced with a merger, it’s also faced with the ability to strategically align itself against competing for financial institutions. Mergers enable credit unions to incorporate the best technologies for both their employees and… Read More
Fiduciary Duty to Consider Merger Proposal
When it comes to credit union regulations, leaders’ fiduciary duty to consider merger proposals is of the utmost importance. Why? Because it requires directors to act in good faith in the best interests of the membership, and in… Read More
Important Factors in Assessing a CU Merger
Credit union mergers have become increasingly more common. From the 23,000 credit unions that existed at their peak in 1969 to the 5,200 credit unions that existed as of 2020, the industry has seen a lot of shift…. Read More
How Receptive Is Credit Union Leadership to a Merger?
In the world of credit unions, mergers are an essential part of growing and staying relevant. In fact, a well-planned merger can actually help you gain a significant competitive advantage. With that said, it seems some leaders are… Read More
5 Themes – Conversations With CU Leaders
Based on calls we have received over the last month, there is no doubt credit union leaders believe our business will be forever changed after COVID-19. The thoughts these leaders shared with us can generally be categorized into… Read More
Is Now the Right Time for Your Credit Union to Consider a Strategic Merger?
One of the leading reasons credit unions engage in mergers is declining membership, according to a study conducted by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). It found that 47 percent of merging credit unions had negative member growth… Read More
Aligning Executive Compensation With Member Interests In A Merger
When a change in control occurs in a credit union, the board of directors must consider the best interests of its members. This means not only ensuring the financial health of the organization is stabilized, but also putting… Read More