Top Headlines

Turning Up the Volume on Credit Union Advocacy
While advocating for credit union priorities is ongoing throughout the year, at no time is it busier – and more opportune for your engagement – than when legislative bodies are in session.

Mid Oregon Credit Union Pioneers Workforce Housing Land Acquisition Fund
Mid Oregon Credit Union is stepping up to address the critical shortage of workforce housing in Bend, Ore., by working with local partners and partnering with the GoWest Foundation to create the Workforce Housing Land Acquisition Fund.

Eltropy Acquires Lexop to Modernize Loan Repayment and Collections
Eltropy, the leading AI-powered unified conversations platform for community financial institutions (CFIs) serving over 650 credit unions and community banks in North America, announced on Jan. 6 the acquisition of Lexop, a leading collections technology provider.

Join the GoWest Foundation in Helping Our Credit Union Community Impacted by the LA Fires
Credit unions and credit union associations are coming together across the nation to support those affected by the catastrophic wildfires sweeping Los Angeles County.

Connect and Engage: Gear Up for the New Year by Joining a GoWest Council
Start the year off right by joining one of GoWest’s eight specialized Councils – virtual peer groups that connect credit union professionals across the region to share insights and learn from each other on key topics impacting credit unions daily.

Plan Ahead and Save! Early Pricing for MAXX 2025 Ends Jan. 15
When MAXX 2025 comes to Portland, Ore., on Oct. 13-16, you’ll experience world-class keynote speakers, immersive breakout sessions, be a part of the exciting CU4Kids auction and GoWest Awards Gala, learn about new credit union solutions, and so much more!

CFPB Calls for Use of AI, Break With Traditional Credit Scoring Methods
As FIs, fintechs, and regulators move forward in policy discussions around standards for AI in the financial services industry, we will continue to advocate for transparency and the ability to create a level playing field for lenders and the communities they serve.

CU4Kids Appoints Rivermark Community Credit Union’s CIO Seth Schaefer to National Credit Union Advisory Board
Credit Unions for Kids recently announced the appointment of Seth Schaefer, EVP and Chief Impact Officer at Rivermark Community Credit Union, to its national Advisory Board.

Credit Union Chapters Inspire, Empower, and Have Fun in 2024
In 2024, Credit Union Chapters played a pivotal role in fostering collaboration, leadership, and innovation within the six-state GoWest region.

GoWest Foundation Creates Meaningful Opportunities Throughout the Region in 2024
The GoWest Foundation is dedicated to empowering and supporting credit unions and communities across GoWest’s six-state region to ensure communities […]

Elevating Member Digital Experience with Automated Loan Processing and Decisioning
Changing member expectations call for new conveniences and new technological solutions will help credit unions further their future success.

“Ent-erceptions” Add Up: Ent Credit Union and Denver Broncos Team Up to Raise $35,000 for Children’s Hospital Colorado
Through its generous “Ent-erception” program, Ent donates $1,000 for every interception and $6,000 for every interception resulting in a touchdown by the Broncos’ defense during the 2024 NFL season.

MAXX 2025 Registration Is Open! Early Pricing Through Jan. 15
MAXX is coming to Portland, Ore., on Oct. 13-16, 2025, and now is the best time to register and save on full badge pricing!

$1.87 Billion Green Lending Grant Program Open for Credit Unions: Deadline Dec. 18
Credit unions are invited to submit a pre-qualification form for the Inclusiv Center for Resiliency and Clean Energy’s new Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) Clean Communities Investment Accelerator (CCIA) green lending grant program by Dec. 18.

2025 Leadership Institute and Advanced Leadership Programs Unlock Your Potential: Early Pricing Through Dec. 16.
Registration for GoWest leadership programs’ 2025 cohorts is now open to emerging and seasoned credit union professionals, with early pricing available through Dec. 16.

Brute Force Fraud 101
Brute force fraud involves perpetrators using iterative trial and error tests on partial card information to validate credit or debit card data that was obtained illicitly – often through criminal techniques such as phishing or skimming.

Driving Collective Impact: Three Credit Union Leaders Join the GoWest Foundation Board
The GoWest Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of three new credit union leaders to the Foundation Board.

Cyber Insurance: The What, Why and How
Cyber insurance is a hot topic right now, and for good reason. Adoption rates and insurance premiums have skyrocketed in the last 18 months in part due to the sheer volume of ransomware events and ensuing widespread media coverage bringing them to the forefront.

Solarity Credit Union Makes Surprise Donation of $800,000 to YWCA Yakima
Solarity Credit Union executives surprised YWCA Yakima representatives on Nov. 5 with an $800,000 donation to the organization’s “Bringing It Home” capital campaign.

Colorado’s Front Range Nonprofits Receive $70,000 from The Local Change Foundation
The Local Change Foundation, formerly known as Elevations Credit Union’s Elevations Foundation, announced it has awarded $70,000 to 12 nonprofit organizations across Colorado’s Front Range.

GoWest Credit Unions Awarded $2.7 Million in CDFI Technical Assistance Awards
The 2024 CDFI Program Technical Assistance Awards were announced on Nov. 21, and nine credit unions in the GoWest region received the maximum award of $300,000 each, totaling $2.7 million in awards heading to the six-state region.