Other times Credit Union Times will publish an article that raises the industry's hackles, resulting in the snarling of 'I don't think credit unions should be doing that' or 'I think that's a valid point but I can't believe anyone actually said it.'

And, we think that's great! If nothing else, Credit Union Times' goal is to push credit union leaders and the community as a whole to think more critically about what credit unions are doing, and how and why. Is there a different, more efficient, effective or more relevant way?

Part of the answer, perhaps, is among the pages of this—or really any—issue of Credit Union Times.

Someone at a credit union might read the story of $1.1 billion CU of Texas or $325 million CU of New Jersey on page 4, and realize he or she wants to know more about how those credit unions were able to accomplish such vast growth in their credit card portfolios.

Or, maybe the $370 million Salal Credit Union's thus far successful member business loan program launch on page 6 strikes a chord with another credit union leader.

Beyond mere thinking, we hope that Credit Union Times serves as a forum for credit union professionals and volunteers to pick up the phone or meet for lunch, and ask, 'how were you able to do that?' or 'why did you select that business partner?'

We cover the credit union community, warts and all. Why? Not because it is pleasant to write about a credit union that was scammed or that experienced the repercussions of poor oversight, but because every experience is a learning one. It shines a spotlight for other credit unions to focus on an issue of which they might not be particularly aware, or at least draws attention to red flags of which other credit union professionals and volunteers must be wary.

'Credit Union Still Open; Lights On,' does not a headline make. Still it's important for us newsies to remember that it's not all warts, which is why we're focusing on the positive with this Extra Special Times.

We partnered with Callahan & Associates to analyze the industry's best financial performers and develop the lists featured in this issue. Starting with NCUA call report data, Callahan added then added data from multiple sources. For example, credit unions that aren't federally insured were included; some of them made the list. Callahan also removed some data that would skew results, such as significant merger gains.

The results were remarkable. Many of the industry's top performers were credit unions that have never made headlines before. Not only did that make this issue fun for our reporters, it will be more valuable for our readers. The new names, faces, stories and ideas expand our forum, giving credit union leaders more reasons to pick up the phone or make that lunch date with a colleague.

In this time of holiday cheer, thanksgiving and gestures of appreciation, the team at Credit Union Times expresses our sincere gratitude for being able to serve the credit union community for the last 25 years.

With the support of the credit union community, audience and advertisers, Credit Union Times has grown from a print magazine to adding a website in 2000, to a multimedia franchise today that includes events, multiple newsletters, video and more.

We thank Callahan & Associates for working with us so closely on the Extra Special Times; they, like us, try to make the information shared as accurate as possible. Just as we seek out more great things coming from credit unions in 2015, look for—no, demand—more from Credit Union Times as we celebrate our 25th anniversary next year.

Many of us at Credit Union Times have dedicated much more than a good part of our careers to serving the credit union community; we've dedicated our lives just as you have. If you know much about publishing, we certainly don't do it for the money!

The position we hold in the community may at times put us at odds, but that is the risk we're willing to take in pursuit of a stronger credit union community for tomorrow. We're one big, happy yet dysfunctional family.

For that, we are truly thankful.

To the next 25 years!

Sarah Snell Cooke is publisher/editor-in-chief of CU Times. She can be reached at [email protected].