Filene Hits 35-Year Research & Innovation Milestone
For more than three decades Filene Research Institute has helped shape the credit union industry.
On May 31, 1989 the Madison, Wis.-based Filene Research Institute took its first steps into the financial cooperative industry with a mission to become an innovative and research-driven organization to create positive change for the credit union system as a whole. Thirty-five years and hundreds of research and innovative ideas later, Filene Research has held true to its mission.
According to information provided by Filene, in the past 35 years the organization has achieved the following:
- Produced 613 research reports. Its first report, “Field of Membership: An Evolving Concept,” was attributed to helping the passage of the Credit Union Membership Access Act which was signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1998.
- Launched 208 ideas and concepts through its i3 program involving more than 350 credit union professionals.
- Created a community of multiple credit unions, leagues and other credit union system partners. There are 77 credit union/credit union-focused organizations that have been part of Filene’s membership community.
Of the 35th anniversary, Filene Research Institute’s CEO Mark Meyer said, “As we celebrate this significant milestone, we reflect on the journey that has brought us here and the future we are building together. Our success is a testament to the collaborative spirit of our members and the dedication of our staff. I am humbled by the lasting impact we have made together in the financial lives of millions of people.”
While Filene recognizes its research and incubation testing of ideas has been instrumental in guiding the credit union system for the past 35 years, “it is truly the community of credit union leaders and innovators who drive impact from Filene’s body of work — fostering growth, knowledge-sharing, and innovation — which has empowered credit unions to better serve their members and communities,” according to Filene.
Meyer added, “We are incredibly grateful for the support of our members and community over the years. Here’s to another 35 years of thinking forward and changing lives.”
In honor of its namesake Ed Filene and his birthplace, the organization will hold a special 35th anniversary celebration in Boston during Filene’s Spark! 2024 event in July.
According to Filene, its membership serves more than 71 million credit union members, representing more than $1.17 trillion in credit union assets.