Roundup: CUs Improve Experience, Career Knowledge & Dividends

Several announcements involving credit unions and technology center on creating a better member experience in Alaska, laying out a potential career path in Texas and record dividends for a Michigan CUSO.

Silicon Slopes, Utah-based MX, a data platform provider for credit unions, banks and fintechs, announced that the $8.3 billion Anchorage, Alaska-based USA Federal Credit Union, selected MX for its mobile banking platform to transform the digital experience for its members. 

Alaska USA Federal Credit Union, which operates 74 branches and service facilities in Alaska, Arizona, California, and Washington, serving more than 660,000 members worldwide, will receive personal financial management through MX Pulse, value-added data services through MX Catalyst, as well as data insight to continually improve the credit union’s digital banking offerings to its members. 

“We have been impressed with how MX Helios has boosted mobile engagement for other large credit unions,” Geoff Lundfelt, president and CEO, Alaska USA, said. “The biggest difference we saw between the MX offering and other offerings was its integrated platform for mobile and online banking, built on clean and enhanced data that is second-to-none. That, along with our ability to get up and running so quickly were key factors in our decision to choose MX.” 

“Large credit unions like Alaska USA need to derive an immense amount of meaning from their data to deliver exceptional member experiences, but they can’t do it all themselves,” Brandon Dewitt, cofounder and chief technology officer of MX, said. “Being in lockstep with them and their expansive network of partners and services will enable our combined offering to give Alaska USA exceptional attention and customized service.” 

The $1.4 billion Allen, Texas-based Credit Union of Texas recently welcomed 20 first-year students from the Lake Highlands Pathways to Technology Early College High School to its corporate office to experience a day in the life of a credit union executive.

During the visit, the students learned about the credit union’s brand and history, as well as the different career paths available working at a credit union. They toured CUTX’s new corporate office and heard firsthand experiences from executives in marketing, operations, member services, lending, and its president and CEO, Eric Pointer. 

“Opportunities like these bring awareness and understanding of the banking industry, which most students will never get a chance to experience,” Masud Shamsid-Deen Pathways technology coordinator, said. “The visit motivated and inspired our students to apply themselves and develop the skills needed for a successful career. Several students even left dreaming of one day working for Credit Union of Texas.”

Jennifer Olvera, CUTX vice president of engagement, said, “I’m excited that CUTX was able to bring a deeper insight into careers in banking that students may not have thought about as a potential job path for them after they graduate. With our passion to help engage and educate our communities, this program was a perfect fit and we were so happy to be a part of it.” 

In a letter to stockowners, Xtend, a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based CUSO with 80 credit union and CUSO owners, announced its 2019 fiscal year reached record numbers. The CUSO, which provides a range of managerial, operational, marketing, technical planning and consulting services announced another year of increased dividends to owners, and a new, increased stock price. 

“The goal is always to drive relevance for our credit union consumers and consumer-owners in the eyes of their community of membership,” Liz Winninger, president and CEO of Xtend, said. “In order for us to do just that, we must align with our credit unions on a very deep level. From the training we provide our people, the technology we utilize as a collective, and the dividends we drive back to our owners. The board and management believe that our success is directly sewn into our bylaws, and our board holds us to those.” 

Xtend serves over 300 credit unions across the U.S. in areas such as back office, mortgage servicing, communications, marketing, sales, lending and contact center solutions.