Why digital lending fintech can accelerate financial inclusion

When Maurice Smith started worrying credit unions could “lose their relevance” in the minds of their members and communities, he decided to do something about it.

Serving as CEO for Raleigh, NC-based Local Government Credit Union and Civic Federal Credit Union, Smith somehow also has the time to serve as chair of the CUNA CEO Council. An avid proponent of telling the powerful story of the credit union movement, his mission doesn’t end there. In  a recent news piece on CUNA.org, the organization highlighted the mission to which Smith has dedicated himself – combining the power of credit unions and credit union service organizations (CUSOs) to create new ways to serve members.

Smith’s combined agenda for his two credit unions and their CUSO partners he calls the Enterprise represent a “how-to” list for creating yet another powerful story. The Enterprise acknowledges the constantly-changing demands of a dynamic workplace, the COVID pandemic, economic instability, while incorporating financial inclusion efforts. One new CUSO will focus on financial wellness while another will contend with helping the Enterprise expand the barriers to advance new ways of serving members.

 

continue reading »