Source: Shutterstock
This is an exciting time for CU Times, which recently introduced a new and pioneering recognition program — Credit Union Times LUMINARIES — to celebrate top credit unions, industry executives, teams, CUSOs, credit union-supporting organizations and the young professionals striving to make a difference in the credit union space by showcasing their achievements in four key areas:
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
- Innovation in Technology
- Product Innovation
- Executive Leadership
Nominations are being accepted through May 31, and the finalists will be announced in mid-August.
Standouts in Focus
The program and its related coverage highlights the quantitative and qualitative impacts that Credit Union Times LUMINARIES are making on the industry.
Recommended For You
It also will highlight the bold steps the winners are taking to drive the credit union industry in more dynamic and inclusive ways through special coverage on CU Times and in our October and November print issues of the Credit Union Times magazine.
What Makes the LUMINARIES Unique
The program does not emphasize asset levels or rankings — or the latest industry buzz. Rather, our awards and coverage of the winners zooms in on how top-performing industry participants are producing meaningful results in the areas that matter most to credit unions.
Plus, we're telling the full story of their compelling achievements via year-round online and print coverage, including profiles, social media campaigns and conversations.
The 2022 Winners will be selected by a distinguished and diverse panel of judges from across the credit union industry, as well as our editorial team.
Our coverage of the LUMINARIES' winners kicks off in mid-August. The inaugural awards dinner is set to take place in November in Washington, D.C. More details to come on the event.
Here at CU Times, we are excited for the launch of this new program to lift up and recognize the organizations and the people working tirelessly to better the industry we care so much about.
© 2025 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.
Michael Ogden
Editor-in-Chief at CU Times. To connect, email at [email protected]. As Editor-in-Chief of CU Times since 2016, Michael Ogden has led the editorial team in all aspects of content strategy and execution, including the creation of the publication’s exclusive and proprietary research database of the credit union industry’s economic landscape. Under Michael’s leadership, CU Times has successfully shifted to an all-digital editorial product with new focuses on the payments, fraud, lending and regulatory beats. Most recently, he introduced a data-focused editorial product for subscribers that breaks down credit union issues into hard data, allowing for a deeper and more factual narrative for readers. In 2024, he launched the "Shared Accounts With CU Times" podcast, which offers a fresh, inside-the-newsroom perspective through interviews with leaders from the credit union industry and the regulatory world. He dives into pressing credit union issues, while revealing the personalities working behind-the-scenes to push the credit union world forward. His background includes years as a radio and TV anchor/reporter and a public relations and digital/social media manager, where he covered the food and music industries, as well as cooperatives and credit unions. Over the years, he has launched numerous exclusive video and podcast series, including a successful series of interactive backstage interviews with musicians at music festivals, showcasing his social media and live streaming production skills.
