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This year’s ENGAGE Conference brought more than conversation—it brought connection. LEVERAGE and its trusted partners filled 10 exhibit booths with hands-on demos, practical tools, and one-on-one conversations focused on helping credit unions grow, stay compliant, and operate efficiently.
A 10-foot golf simulator at Booth 517 added a fun, interactive twist to the experience, giving attendees a chance to take a break—and take a shot.
The momentum continued into the evening with LEVERAGE Networking After Dark, a high-energy welcome party that brought attendees together in a relaxed, vibrant atmosphere. Credit union professionals enjoyed meaningful conversations, setting the tone for a collaborative and impactful ENGAGE experience. Special thanks to our featured experts from:
For more information on how to get involved with LEVERAGE, click here or contact a League Consultant at consult@myleverage.com or 855-9EXPERT (855-939-7378). |
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Meet Sarah, a 28-year-old teacher and loyal credit union member. She’s ready to renovate her home and applies for a loan through her credit union’s app. After filling out a short form, she receives a pre-approved offer—customized to her needs—in just minutes. It’s fast, seamless, and stress-free. This isn’t a vision of the future. Credit unions are already making this possible through AI-powered lending platforms like Scienaptic AI. These tools don’t just boost operational efficiency—they help credit unions build stronger relationships, expand access to credit, and deliver personalized experiences that reflect the movement’s values. Transforming Lending with AI AI is reshaping the way credit unions approach lending—from pre-qualification and underwriting to fraud detection and beyond. A Better Start with Smarter Onboarding First impressions matter. A strong onboarding experience lays the foundation for long-term engagement. With AI, credit unions can bundle products tailored to each member’s needs—pairing a personal loan with a savings account, for example—to support both borrowing and financial wellness from day one. Rather than treating lending as a one-time transaction, credit unions can use AI to design onboarding experiences that strengthen members’ financial foundations and deepen their connection to the credit union. Fraud Protection That Builds Trust Fraud prevention remains a top priority. AI offers credit unions a proactive edge—flagging threats like synthetic identities, credit washing, and ID fraud before they escalate. By continuously analyzing application data and behavioral patterns, AI significantly reduces false positives and minimizes disruption. Members benefit from faster decisions, stronger protections, and greater peace of mind—making security an integral part of a smooth lending experience. Fairer, More Inclusive Underwriting Traditional underwriting can leave financially responsible individuals out due to rigid criteria. AI helps credit unions take a broader view—factoring in trended bureau data and alternative sources like rent and utility payments. This holistic approach makes it possible to reach more members, expand access to credit, and ensure lending decisions align with each member’s full financial picture—all while maintaining a healthy risk balance. Ongoing Offers That Evolve with Member Needs AI enables credit unions to turn data into action. By analyzing spending habits, income trends, and life milestones, AI can present timely, personalized offers—whether it’s a credit line increase, a new auto loan, or debt consolidation—without members having to ask. This makes lending more inclusive, especially for members with thin or no credit files, and ensures they always have access to the right financial tools at the right time. It’s not just about credit—it’s about continuing the conversation, strengthening trust, and reinforcing the credit union difference. Leading with Purpose As the financial landscape continues to evolve, credit unions are uniquely positioned to lead. AI is more than just a technology—it’s a tool to help credit unions do what they do best: meet members where they are, respond to their needs with care, and grow lasting relationships. Whether it’s helping a member buy their first home, fund a new business, or regain stability, every lending decision is an opportunity to serve with impact. AI simply helps deliver that experience with greater speed, insight, and heart. The future of lending is here—and it’s powered by both innovation and the people-first principles that define our industry. For more information, click here or contact a League Consultant at consult@myleverage.com or 855-9EXPERT (855-939-7378). |
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In this CU Broadcast Studio Lounge interview, hosted by Mike Lawson, Steve Willis, President of LEVERAGE, and Lindsey Cole, Chief Operating Officer of LEVERAGE, dive into how LEVERAGE is using its full range of resources to strengthen the credit union system. They explore how strategic collaboration, strong partnerships, and unified advocacy efforts are moving the movement forward—at both the state and federal levels. From innovative public-private partnerships to practical support for credit union operations, Steve and Lindsey make the case for why working together is the key to long-term impact. Want more from the ENGAGE Studio Lounge? LEVERAGE partners were also featured in short, insightful interviews throughout the event. Click the links below to hear how they’re helping credit unions thrive. Kristi Arrington, Vice President of Growth by Design Kelli Silvernale, Vice President of CUVM Laura Vann, Senior Director of Shared Branching at Shared Cooperative Services Chris Burns, Account Executive at Fiserv and Stephanie Hainje, Assistant Vice President of Payment Solutions Kyle Fowler, Vice President of Member Alliance Kaylee Wiley, Audit Manager of Florida, South Alabama, Georgia at Credit Union Audit Group Jim Soenksen, CEO at PIVOT Group LLC |
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Are your members ready to find their first home? Where do they begin? What resources are available to help? Here is what you need to know to get your member on the homeownership journey. Who is a first-time homebuyer? The definition of “first-time homebuyer” might be broader than you think. For example, it can refer to a person who has never owned a home, a person who has not owned a home in the last three years, or a single parent who has only previously owned a home with a spouse. How does your member find a real estate agent? Look for a local realtor, meet with them, ask questions, and make sure they understand your needs and experience level. Real estate agents offer a wide range of services, such as finding available homes that meet their wants and needs, accompanying your member to see the homes, and negotiating purchase contract on the member’s behalf. What is a written buyer agreement? Before a member tours a home, their agent might need to enter into a written buyer agreement. This agreement will outline the services the real estate agent will provide and what they will be paid for those services. These agreements are negotiable, and the member should make sure they understand what their responsibilities are and what they are agreeing to pay. What are the members’ options for securing financing assistance? First-time homebuyers have multiple options for financing the purchase of their first home. Discuss with your credit union loan officer the programs that might be available. What other ways can your member lessen their costs? Some sellers may offer to pay certain costs associated with purchasing a home, which are called concessions. The seller can also pay the buyer’s agent compensation as part of the purchase offer. Both are options that may reduce out of pocket and upfront expenses, helping your member stretch their budget further. The real estate agent is there to advocate for the buyer during purchase negotiations on these and other terms. Make sure the member gets Owner’s Title Insurance. This protects their financial investment. Owner’s policies are a one-time investment paid at closing that protects homeownership for as long as the property is owned and beyond. Common Bond Title has your member covered. Make sure the member closes with Common Bond Title. Real estate transactions can be complicated, time-consuming, and may involve some degree of risk. With a closing agent or title company that you can trust, Common Bond Title, at your side, the member can stay both informed and protected. That’s why we are such a critical part of the process. For more information, click here or contact a League Consultant at consult@myleverage.com or 855-9EXPERT (855-939-7378). |
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By Ken Otsuka, Sr. Consultant, Risk and Compliance Solutions, TruStage Identifying the next major risk is no easy task—especially in an environment where fraudsters are constantly evolving old schemes with new techniques. Across the country, credit unions are seeing significant losses in familiar areas: account takeovers, fraudulent deposits, and attacks on ITMs and ATMs. These incidents—often involving coordinated schemes and the use of money mules—have led to six- and seven-figure losses. While every credit union has its own unique risk profile, understanding where losses are trending is essential to protecting operations and maintaining member trust. The good news: these incidents offer valuable lessons that can inform proactive loss control strategies moving forward. Top Risk Areas Driving Losses Over the past 12–18 months, several key areas have emerged as especially vulnerable: Account Takeovers Fraudsters are conducting sophisticated social engineering campaigns to gain access to member accounts—often by manipulating members into providing login credentials and two-factor authentication codes. Common tactics include:
Once access is gained, funds are typically moved via external transfer services. A growing trend, however, involves both the compromised account and the money mule account being housed at the same credit union. These mules—often recruited via social media—are used to withdraw funds through various channels. Fraudulent Checks & Deposits Despite the rise of digital payments, check-related fraud continues to grow. Fraudsters are relying on tried-and-true methods—altering, washing, or counterfeiting checks—with a key enabler being stolen mail. Increased loss activity has been linked to:
ITM & ATM Fraud Large-scale fraud targeting self-service devices has become more frequent and more costly:
Mitigating Risk Before It Strikes Emerging risk trends underscore the importance of taking a proactive approach. Effective risk management may not always be visible—but it’s often the reason losses don’t occur. When incidents do happen, the financial and reputational costs can be significant. Credit unions that stay informed, assess evolving risk patterns, and implement loss controls position themselves to mitigate impact and maintain resilience. Sharing experiences and identifying red flags early can help safeguard the system as a whole. Additional Resources TruStage™ Fidelity Bond policyholders can access resources—including RISK Alerts and the Business Protection Resource Center—at www.trustage.com. For more information or to request a consultation, contact the TruStage Risk team at riskconsultant@trustage.com or call 800.637.2676. To dive deeper into how money mules operate, view the on-demand session Money Mules & Their Schemes available through TruStage. |
