Newly merged credit union trade group becomes 'GoWest'

The newly formed trade group representing credit unions in six Western states will be called GoWest Credit Union Association.

The organization resulted from the combination of the Mountain West Credit Union Association, which represented credit unions in Arizona, Colorado and Wyoming, and the Northwest Credit Union Association, which represented credit unions in Idaho, Oregon and Washington.

The two groups voted to approve a merger effective June 30 and announced the new name on Tuesday. The six-state trade association will represent more than 300 credit unions and their 16.5 million members. The name is a nod to a famous quotation attributed to the writer Horace Greeley: "Go West, young man."

Troy Stang, president and CEO of GoWest Credit Union Association, said the group has learned how to assemble modern resources and ensure they are effective in the numerous areas in which public policy impacts the operating environment for credit unions. 

“Time and location have proven this is an effective strategy, and our association members have fully embraced it and are leaning into it,” he said in an interview.

A search for economic efficiencies was not the driving factor behind the decision to form the new association, Stang said, but rather a desire to create an accelerated and proven locally focused advocacy model. 

Brad Kevelin

In addition, the combined group can more nimbly address the volume of complexities, challenges and opportunities credit unions face, with more “horsepower” and a sophisticated set of solutions, Stang said.

Despite its new size, the group will be careful to maintain its “hyperlocal” advocacy and an influential voice will be a direct output of its unique value proposition, he said. 

“We are a part of the credit union state league system which works in tandem with" the Credit Union National Association. "A full-circle advocacy strategy is critical. Collaborating with our members, and with leagues in states we don’t serve and the partnership with CUNA — that’s the beauty of the credit union movement,” Stang said.

Additionally, the newly combined organization announced its new foundation and service corporation, GoWest Foundation, and GoWest Solutions, respectively.

Other trade groups are also joining forces within the U.S. The boards of the Cornerstone League and the Heartland Credit Union Association last month approved plans to move forward with the due diligence process, and a letter of intent has been signed by both organizations.