NEWPORT BEACH, CA (March 13, 2013) – The National Association of Credit Union Service Organizations (NACUSO) announced that nominations for the 2013 Credit Union Collaboration and Innovation Award and the 2013 CUSO Collaboration and Innovation Award are being accepted. The formal announcement and presentation of the awards to the winning Credit Union and CUSO will take place Thursday, April 18, during the 2013 NACUSO Annual Conference at the Encore Las Vegas Resort. NACUSO is calling for award nominations to be submitted, by the close of business Thursday, March 21, 2013.
The 2013 CUSO Collaboration and Innovation Award recognizes organizations that have leveraged the collaborative model to bring value to the industry, its owners and credit union members. Now in its fifteenth year, the award has a history of spotlighting CUSOs that continue to play a key role in the industry. Previous winners include CO-OP Network, CUSO Financial Services, CU*Answers, Credit Union Student Choice, Ongoing Operations and TMG Financial Services.
Last year, in addition to recognizing a leading CUSO, we expanded our program to recognize a credit union demonstrating the successful use of a CUSO collaborative model to serve their membership’s financial needs. The winner of NACUSO’s 2012 Credit Union Collaboration and Innovation Award was Workers’ Credit Union. The 69,000-member community credit union was recognized for its ownership in eight CUSOs and collaboration with several others. NACUSO’s 2013 Credit Union Collaboration and Innovation Award is aimed at showcasing the credit union that exhibits leadership in utilizing the CUSO collaborative model to deliver value to the credit union and its members. Criteria includes showing how the business strategy of the credit union leverages CUSOs to create value for the credit union and/or its members. Implementation and execution of the CUSO business model and results, outcomes and performance generated by the credit union’s successful use of the CUSO business model are also considered.
“The criteria for both awards were selected to recognize those organizations that are making a significant difference and contribution to our industry,” explains Jack Antonini, NACUSO’s President/CEO. “While the credit union industry faces diverse challenges, there are many people that are engaging in the critical, creative thinking necessary to find solutions to these issues. We want to recognize and celebrate those CUSOs that demonstrate an exemplary ability to create and implement solutions and those credit unions that use the CUSO model to implement innovative, collaborative solutions to better serve their members,” Antonini emphasizes.
"CUSOs are vibrant examples of how collaboration can leverage the credit union system's resources to enhance member value. By driving innovation, broadening services provided to members and capturing efficiencies, CUSOs are a critical component of credit union success today and in the future. NACUSO would like to recognize both the CUSO, and the credit union, that best exhibits excellence in utilizing collaboration and innovation to serve the financial and other needs of their membership," says Jay Johnson, EVP, Callahan & Associates and Chairman of the 2013 Award Committee.
NACUSO is committed to supporting the collaborative model for the benefit of our industry and credit union members. The NACUSO Collaboration and Innovation Awards are a reflection of this strategic vision for the future. The judges for the 2013 Award will include leaders from the credit union industry and cooperative business sector who have demonstrated experience in innovation and collaboration.
Nominations may be sent by mail to NACUSO, 3419 Via Lido, PMB #135, Newport Beach, CA 92663, or e-mail to Shawna@nacuso.org. For 2013 award general rules and additional details on the 2013 NACUSO Annual Conference visit www.nacuso.org or call 1-888-462-2870.
About NACUSO
The National Association of Credit Union Service Organizations was formed in 1985 to help credit unions explore the use of CUSOs and the delivery of non-traditional products and services. Over the years, NACUSO’s focus has evolved to helping credit unions form multi-owned CUSOs and participate in collaboration and the cooperative business model.