Filene, CU Direct partner to upgrade i3 program

The Filene Research Institute has teamed up with CU Direct, a provider of lending and technology solutions for credit unions, to help support and expand Filene’s i3 innovation program.

I3 is a development program designed to “instill and encourage an entrepreneurial mindset in future credit union leaders.” Participants work with Filene for a two-year period to develop, test and launch various products to solve challenges faced by credit unions. More than 30% of all i3 graduates have become CEOs or taken C-level positions after being a part of the program.

Mark Meyer is CEO of Filene

“We are excited for the collaboration and development of future credit union leaders through CU Direct’s support of the i3 program,” Filene CEO Mark Meyer said in a press release. “With more than 200 innovative concepts and solutions from 260 program participants under its belt, Filene i3 has already helped save consumers millions of dollars, brought new efficiencies to credit unions and even changed a few laws.”

Filene also announced plans to open a “talent outpost” at CU Direct’s campus in Irvine, Calif., next to its innovation lab. The outpost will be manned by new workers over the next year.

Tony Boutelle, president and CEO of CU Direct, said the partnership harkens back to the industry’s historic spirit of collaboration, “so it makes sense for us to partner with Filene to strengthen the opportunities available to growing, innovation-minded credit unions.”

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