Skip to main content

CUNA Strategic Services expands Sparrow Alliance to help credit unions deepen member relationships beyond the branch 

MADISON, WI (January 21, 2026) |

CUNA Strategic Services (CSS) is pleased to  announce the expansion of its alliance with Sparrow to include their marketing  automation platform, a modern, credit union-built solution designed to help institutions  strengthen member relationships, increase product adoption, and engage the next  generation of members at scale. 

For decades, in-branch interactions served as the bedrock of relationship building for  credit unions. Today, those moments are happening far less frequently. Younger  members rarely visit branches, and even long-time members engage in person less  often – leaving many credit unions facing a critical challenge: how to create  relationships that feel just as personal, trusted, and meaningful in a digital-first world. 

This endorsement reflects a shared commitment between CUNA Strategic Services and  Sparrow to equip credit unions with innovative tools that transform how they connect  with members in an increasingly digital, data-driven environment. As member  expectations continue to evolve, credit unions must move beyond one-size-fits-all  outreach toward timely, personalized engagement that feels human and relevant. 

“Sparrow’s marketing automation platform gives credit unions a powerful yet accessible  way to extend the personal connection members once experienced in the branch,” said  Barb Lowman, President of CUNA Strategic Services. “By automating personalized  journeys across the member lifecycle, Sparrow helps credit unions build deeper  relationships, grow multi-product households, and remain competitive with banks and  non-traditional financial services providers – without losing the personal touch that  defines the credit union difference.” 

Sparrow’s platform enables credit unions to launch proven, peer-tested marketing  journeys in minutes – without complex core integrations or heavy IT lift. With hundreds  of pre-built automations and real-time insights, credit unions can engage members at  the right moment, from onboarding and financial milestones to cross-sales and retention  opportunities.

“Our mission has always been to help credit unions build strong, lasting relationships  with their members – regardless of how those members choose to engage,” said  Harrison Hochman, Chief Executive Officer of Sparrow. “As branch visits decline, digital  engagement becomes the primary relationship channel. The expansion of our  relationship with CUNA Strategic Services reinforces the importance of equipping credit  unions with modern tools that make every interaction feel personal, relevant, and  intentional – especially for younger members who expect that experience from day  one.” 

Today, Sparrow partners with more than 150 credit unions representing over $100 billion  in assets, ranging from large, multi-state institutions to small community-based  cooperatives. 

Credit unions using Sparrow’s marketing automation platform benefit from: 

  • Automated, personalized member journeys that drive engagement and product  adoption across the lifecycle 
  • 200+ pre-built campaigns based on real-world credit union best practices 
  • Actionable insights and performance reporting to continuously optimize  marketing ROI 
  • Rapid implementation with minimal technical complexity, enabling teams to focus  on strategy rather than execution 

By endorsing Sparrow’s marketing automation platform, CUNA Strategic Services  continues its mission of identifying innovative solutions that help credit unions grow  stronger, operate more efficiently, and deliver exceptional member experiences.

Contact

Contact

Daily Credit Union News – Straight to Your Inbox

Join thousands of credit union industry professionals who start their day with the latest news, events and technology supporting the credit union industry.