Powering Growth and Resilience: Introducing GoWest’s Small Credit Union Accelerator Program

Posted by Jess Honcoop on September 24, 2025

Small credit unions are essential sources of capital and community support for individuals, families, farms and ranches, and Main Street businesses, in communities large and small, rural and metropolitan.  But they also face unique challenges stemming from regulatory overreach, competition in financial services, the rapid advancement of technology, and the need to upskill and develop staff.

Based on input from small credit union leaders, GoWest is launching the Small Credit Union Accelerator Program to build on our current dedicated suite of tools to support credit unions’ operations and success.

The Small Credit Union Accelerator Program is a tailor-made approach to supporting members with assets of $250 million or under. The program builds on resources that are already helping credit unions succeed by incorporating your input and opening our programs up to your continued guidance. The Accelerator Program will celebrate the value and unique role of small credit unions, and provide the resources they need to thrive, under one roof.

Small Credit Union Accelerator: Build, Collaborate, Thrive

The Accelerator Program will EXPAND the unique programs small credit unions have come to count on, and will provide NEW, relevant content to help turn small credit unions’ challenges into opportunities to serve members now and long into the future.

Build

• NEW Small Credit Union Advisory Council: Empowers members to shape how we serve and support small credit unions. The Advisory Council will help shape the creation of new resources and partner with the GoWest team to direct content for Small Credit Union Roundtables.
• NEW Accelerator Cohort: A one-of-a-kind leadership program that will be piloted by 8 small credit union CEOs in 2026. The cohort will provide free training and peer guidance on strategic issues including Board-CEO relationship development, growth strategies, staff development, operational innovation, and more.

Collaborate

• EXPANDED Roundtables: Increasing from quarterly to monthly cadence and organizing regional in-person gatherings in addition to virtual sessions.
• EXPANDED Small Credit Union Conversation: Dedicated space for small credit unions to connect, ask questions, and learn from one another.
• TAILORED Communications: Updating small credit unions on legislative and regulatory advocacy and ensuring that small credit unions are gathering input to shape agendas.

Thrive

• EXPANDED Free Training: Including seminars and BSA trainings. More training resources in development and coming soon.
• EXPANDED Compliance and Governance Support: The new VisionBoard Resource Hub will provide turnkey resources and up-to-date guidance on governance best practices.
• EXPANDED Scholarships and GoWest Event Discounts: The elimination of the per-person annual cap on Foundation scholarship will ensure more funding powers small credit union success.
• NEW Dedicated Small Credit Union Accelerator Fund: Delivering member-guided funding to help small credit unions thrive. This fund will be developed alongside feedback from the Small Credit Union Advisory Council to specifically fuel projects and programs that can help small credit unions thrive.

What’s Next

Small credit unions interested in joining the Advisory Council can apply by answering a few questions about your credit union here. You can also learn more about the programs and resources at our official launch during MAXX in October.

More details will be released in the weeks and months ahead as new member-guided content, programming, and funds take shape. For any questions or information on how to engage, please reach out to Carmen Vigil, SVP, CU Engagement & Development at GoWest.

Posted in GoWest Association, Small Credit Unions, Top Headlines.