Women in Credit Unions

The first Asian American to join the National Credit Union Administration board, Otsuka has had a career highlighted by consumer advocacy, a focus on financial stability and support for underserved communities.

The Most Powerful Women in Credit Unions honorees discuss their response to inflation and the challenges facing underserved communities.

This year's honorees demonstrate the courage and experience necessary to address the rise of digital commerce, AI, bank and fintech rivals.

The world's largest credit union said that Dietrich Kuhlmann, a retired rear admiral and currently the institution's chief operating officer, would succeed retiring CEO Mary McDuffie on March 1.

Diverse employee resource groups and skill set development programs for identifying rising professionals are key methods for enticing — and retaining — the next generation of tech and business experts, said executives.

Honorees on this year's list of the Most Powerful Women in credit unions have adopted tools powered by AI to help provide 24/7 support to members in a variety of languages, while also expanding access to vital capital for those from underserved communities.

Whether it's bracing for a hurricane or helping members reduce their environmental impact, many credit unions are making the planet's health a focal point of community engagement.

Executives reflecting on the issues that doomed three banks say the closures stressed the importance of adapting quickly to change, and emphasized the advantages of the credit union business model.

American Banker is proud to recognize the honorees for the second annual Most Powerful Women in Credit Unions.

The Most Powerful Women in Credit Unions: Next program recognizes high-achieving women, 40 years of age and younger, in the pipeline to the C-suite.

In this month's roundup of American Banker's favorite stories: the National Credit Union Administration sets its focus on liquidity risk for 2023, an exclusive fireside chat with Venus Williams on pay equity, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's funding comes into question and more.

Through lending programs, financial coaching and hiring practices tailored for inclusion, these CEOs provided crucial services to underserved communities.

Anderson, who has held leadership positions at Equifax, Wells Fargo and American Express, will succeed longtime CEO Benson Porter on Dec. 5.

As the CEO of Navy Federal Credit Union, Mary McDuffie can never lose touch with the needs of a young membership stationed across the globe.

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.

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.

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.

Fumbi Chima, who was previously Adidas' chief information officer, has introduced robotic process automation and other systems to make it easier for the fourth-largest U.S. credit union to work with fintechs and improve member service.