Today, the financial services industry is rapidly changing, and credit unions face an increasingly competitive landscape. The race for credit unions to generate and deliver tangible economic value to members is not going to let up any time soon. But what is reassuring is that credit unions, as not-for-profit, member-driven cooperative financial institutions, are purpose-built to meet these challenges head-on.
Even more reassuring is that you and your teams are not in this chase to deliver value and innovation alone. Through your membership in the GoWest Credit Union Association, you and your team have access to future-focused talent development, engagement and growth opportunities, expanded resources, a growing peer network, and much more.
Advocacy is Our Priority
Advocacy is in Our Bones
The GoWest Credit Union Association is the unifying voice for credit unions in Phoenix, Denver, Boise, Olympia, Salem, Cheyenne, and Washington, D.C. The Association works with state and federal policymakers, coalitions, and consumer groups to keep credit union powers strong and give credit unions the opportunity to thrive. Consumers in our six-state region have the best access to credit unions in the nation because of our unsurpassed operating environment. Visit the Advocacy page here and contact Jordan Beyer to learn more.
Engagement & Growth Opportunities
Participate in GoWest Committees & Advisory Groups
Share your voice and help advance the Credit Union Movement. Committee service is a direct way to build peer connections and provide input. Committees, Working Groups, and Advisory Groups will provide a suite of engagement opportunities, ensuring that all credit union leaders can lend their voices to propel credit unions forward…together. Learn more about committees and task forces here, and contact Carmen Vigil to learn more.
Future-Focused Talent Development
Our programs are designed to develop talent for the future and propel you into leadership roles within the dynamic landscape of the credit union movement. Continuous learning is the foundation of success, and our tailored education initiatives aim to prepare individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to emerge as competent and confident leaders.
We are dedicated to being your guide in the pursuit of new opportunities in your transformative professional journey. As you engage in our innovative talent development programs, we are committed to fostering your growth, empowering you to lead with excellence, and positioning you at the forefront of the credit union movement. Learn more about talent development by connecting with Layna Officer.
Engage through Councils
Councils offer a valuable platform for exchanging best practices, fostering insightful discussions, and networking with peers to gain deeper insights into the most crucial subjects within your field. Join your fellow credit union professionals for empowering sessions that will help you stay well-informed in a constantly evolving landscape. The disciplines covered in 2024 include Collectors, Commercial Services, Compliance, HR & Trainers, Lenders, Marketing, Risk Management, and Innovation & Operations. For further information, please visit the Council page here and reach out to Paige Beffort.
Grow with CU Communities
CU Communities include Credit Union Chapters, Young Professional Groups, and other Credit Union Networks that provide valuable spaces for developing and established credit union professionals to learn about board service, create local impact, and foster collaboration. Contact Lexy Strong to learn more about these communities.
Annual Events & Networking
Annual Can’t Miss Events
Throughout the year, your Association hosts events to promote high-level training, legislative & advocacy advancement updates, new information on top-of-mind issues, and the importance of networking with fellow credit union peers. Whether attending the annual Executive Summit or MAXX, there is an event for every level in the credit union space. Contact the GoWest team at [email protected] to learn more about signature events.
Expanded Resources
Reduce Risk & Enhance Confidence
Our risk management team has you covered with a full suite of compliance services, including dues-supported online tools and resources, as well as compliance and risk management platforms. We also offer expertise from our risk and compliance professionals, who stand ready to answer your questions. Visit our Compliance page here, and connect with the team by contacting [email protected].
Discover Innovative Solutions
Connecting with our expanded GoWest Solutions team and business partners can pay big dividends. Our proven solutions can help you streamline processes, increase loan volume, and non-interest income. Our best-in-class partners can help you better serve members when, where, and how they want to be served. Let us connect with you to continue your team’s innovation forward – visit the Solutions site or contact the Solutions Team at [email protected].
By engaging broadly with these resources, we are confident that you will find significant value in your membership. We appreciate your engagement!
Supporting Credit Unions & Communities
Economic & Community Impact Reports
Credit unions are essential throughout the region. Their impressive economic and community impact has been documented through both an independent analysis performed by economists at the renowned firm Oxford Economics and by a GoWest survey of member credit unions. For more information, visit the impact reporting hub here or connect with Christine Ruzzi.
Foundation Support
As not-for-profit cooperative financial institutions, credit unions are leading a movement that connects consumers with the opportunities they need to achieve financial prosperity. To further these efforts, we support credit union projects on a variety of initiatives, including financial reality fair kits to promote financial capability among youth, workforce housing grants to push innovative solutions to local challenges, and professional development opportunities to help credit unions build a strong bench of leaders. Connect with the team by visiting the Foundation site or by contacting Meredith Hallinan.
Upcoming Events
All EventsVirtual Compliance Legal Update
Q2 CDFI Roundtable
Q2 Small Credit Union Roundtable
YP Summit
On The Go Articles
It Is “Credit Union Forward” at the 2025 Small Credit Union Conference
More than 100 leaders from 60 credit unions from across the country came together in Spokane, Wash., this week for the 2025 Small Credit Union Conference, co-hosted by GoWest Credit Union Association and America’s Credit Unions.
Celebrating Every Credit Union’s Impact
Oxford Economics performed an analysis for all 311 credit unions with branches in the GoWest footprint in 2023. These reports, distributed to each credit union’s leadership team recently, measure the credit union’s contribution to the GDP, employment, wages, and member benefits.
ALICE Reports Reveal Growing Number of Financially Struggling Households
GoWest Foundation and Ent Credit Union are proud partners of regional United Ways for sponsorship of United for ALICE’s state reports, which highlight the financial struggles faced by ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households.