Taking a Moment to Share What We’ve Been Up To

We’re taking a quick break from our usual content to give you an inside look at what’s been keeping us busy lately.

Last week, Michael and I had the pleasure of attending the Ohio Credit Union League’s annual conference, Invest48. We want to extend our sincere gratitude to Navatros for inviting us to participate as one of your premier partners at the show. With over 400 credit union leaders from across Ohio in attendance, we had the opportunity to showcase our unique approach to income and employment verification—a critical tool in today’s evolving lending environment.

As for extracurriculars, I had the fortune (or misfortune) of participating in the Live Kentucky Derby Race—complete with human and inflatable hobby horses. If you have photos or videos… please delete them. Michael will probably be calling you soon to ensure they live on in infamy.

If you missed Dr. Michael Turner’s Cooperative Lounge presentation, no worries—stay tuned for an upcoming webinar with Navatros and the League, where we’ll recap the discussion and dive deeper into our shared vision.

7% Annual Growth is the North Star

Across the board, credit union leaders at the event underscored a unified goal: achieving 7% annual growth. This figure isn’t just aspirational—it’s directional. It reflects a desire to maintain relevance and resiliency in a tightening lending environment, where market share is increasingly contested by digital-first lenders and aggressive bank competitors. Meeting this benchmark will depend not just on loan volume, but on strategic underwriting, data-informed decisions, and efficient verification workflows that reduce friction for both the institution and the member. Many attendees recognized that hitting 7% year-over-year growth means upgrading core processes while staying grounded in the credit union mission.

Auto Loans Continue to Be a Strategic Pillar

One of the clearest themes to emerge was the enduring importance of auto loans in the strategic roadmap of credit unions. While interest rates and delinquencies have recently tempered growth, the long-term value of auto lending as a member acquisition tool—and a profitability driver—remains strong. Indirect auto lending was frequently cited as both a challenge and an opportunity: credit unions are re-evaluating how they can win more deals at the dealership, serve deeper into the credit spectrum, and deliver faster funding decisions. Investing in verification tools and automation that de-risk these decisions was viewed as essential to maintaining a competitive edge, particularly in micro markets and rural areas where credit unions often lead.

Overcoming Inertia Is the Biggest Challenge

Perhaps the most candid insight shared at the event was this: inertia, not innovation, is the toughest barrier to progress. While technology is available, and the desire for change is growing, many credit unions acknowledged the internal friction that slows down adoption. From entrenched workflows to risk-averse cultures, the path to transformation often stalls not because the solution isn’t right—but because the organization isn’t fully aligned to implement it. Breaking through this inertia requires not just better tools, but also better partnerships—ones that simplify integration, clarify ROI, and provide change management support to help teams move forward confidently. Those who can overcome this friction first will lead the next wave of growth.

This Week in Huron: Ohio’s Metropolitan Housing Conference

One of the most meaningful parts of working for a mission-driven organization is partnering with groups where we can make an outsized impact. That’s exactly the case with Ohio’s Metropolitan Housing Authorities, who are facing increased oversight and operating under extreme resource constraints. These are some of the most dedicated professionals in public service—and we’re proud to support their work.

This week, we’re in Huron, OH from April 30 to May 2 for the OHAC Spring Conference, hosted by Ohio’s Affordable Housing trade association. We’re excited about this partnership because it’s rooted in shared values: mission alignment, support for credit-invisible residents, and a mutual commitment to process efficiency in a chronically underfunded space. Many of these housing providers are in urgent need of tools that can save them time, reduce manual processes, and help their residents qualify for better housing opportunities.

If you’re attending OHAC this week, stop by our booth in the exhibit area—we’re always excited to connect and share ideas. Don’t be shy—come say hi!