Credit unions

Under Donna Bland's leadership, Golden 1 Credit Union has grown to more than 1 million members and is now the sixth-largest credit union in the U.S. by assets.

Renée Sattiewhite has played a key role in the African American Credit Union Coalition for more than 20 years. "For me, if credit unions do not embrace DEI, they will die," she said.

Winona Nava, who is retiring next year, took over Guadalupe Credit Union in 1991 when it had dwindled to just above $10 million of assets. Nava's immigrant-friendly policies led some staffers to resign in protest, but that didn't discourage her. "Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity," she said.

In its inaugural Most Powerful Women in Credit Unions listing, American Banker is proud to share the stories of 25 of the women leading the credit union industry through times of rapid and unprecedented change.

When credit union leaders are open to feedback from members and employees of many backgrounds, they can strengthen workplace morale and attract new customers, inclusion advocates say.

Wings Financial Credit Union in Apple Valley, Minnesota, has agreed to buy Settlers Bank in DeForest, Wisconsin. It's the third bank acquisition deal Wings has announced, one of which fell through.

Rising interest rates are forcing credit unions to pay more for deposits while they are sitting on low-yielding loans, according to the National Credit Union Administration's eastern regional director, John Kutchey.

Affinity Federal Credit Union in Basking Ridge said Kevin Brauer will succeed John Fenton as president and chief executive on Jan. 1.