LEVERAGE Monthly Newsletter

Growth by Design is an award-winning, full-service digital marketing agency and a proud part of LEVERAGE, specializing in marketing solutions for credit unions and other mission-driven organizations. With more than 25 years of experience, the agency helps credit unions communicate clearly, build trust, and transform marketing into a meaningful driver of growth.

Offering services that span branding, website development, print and digital creative, member communications, social media management, video production, public relations, and engagement strategies, Growth by Design understands the unique needs of the credit union industry. Its work is rooted in the credit union philosophy of “people helping people,” delivering marketing that is strategic, visually compelling, and member focused.

Supported by a collaborative team of designers, strategists, and developers, Growth by Design manages projects from concept through execution, ensuring consistency, accessibility, regulatory awareness, and measurable results. As a trusted marketing partner to credit unions across the country, the agency brings deep insight into member audiences, regulatory considerations, and the nuances that shape effective credit union communications.

Kristi Arrington, Vice President of Growth by Design, said: “We see ourselves as an extension of each credit union we serve. Supported by the strength of LEVERAGE, Growth by Design delivers strategic, member-focused marketing that aligns brand, technology, and storytelling to support long-term growth and stronger member relationships.”

With more than 110 active clients and a proven track record of success, Growth by Design is committed to providing best-in-class service, thoughtful strategy, and successful project execution that strengthens member relationships and advances each credit union’s mission.

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Today’s credit unions are expected to do more, with less margin for error. That’s why CULS Lending Solutions exists: to deliver solutions that help credit unions thrive, not just keep up.

Our Loan Participation Program gives credit unions the flexibility to deploy liquidity, diversify risk, and grow loan portfolios with confidence, without adding operational complexity. It’s growth, on your terms.

Operational inefficiencies can slow funding and create risk. DMV Navigator eliminates one of the biggest pain points in auto lending by removing guesswork from tax and registration calculations. With access to a powerful nationwide database covering vehicle taxes, fees, taxable values, and required documents for every DMV in the U.S., credit unions can fund faster, protect liens, and move forward with certainty, backed by over 19 million unique inquiries.

As risk evolves, visibility into collateral matters more than ever. Indirect Auto Recovery delivers data-driven insight built through OEM and evaluator collaboration, giving credit unions a competitive edge and helping protect over a billion dollars lost annually to poor collateral visibility.

To accelerate communication, Direct Drop Voicemail puts your message directly where it’s heard, speeding responses without tying up staff.

Bottom line: Smarter solutions. Stronger performance. CULS delivers solutions that help credit unions thrive.

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LEVERAGE brings together best-in-class solutions designed to reduce complexity, improve efficiency, and help credit unions better serve their members. Two standout LEVERAGE companies, Members Core Alliance (MCA) and CUVM, demonstrate how smart technology and specialized expertise can work hand-in-hand to support today’s credit unions.

Members Core Alliance (MCA) delivers a cutting-edge, user-friendly core processing platform built on collaboration and innovation. Designed with both members and staff in mind, MCA leverages the latest technology and intuitive design to create a seamless banking experience that drives engagement and operational efficiency.

The MCA Advantage

• • Collaborative Foundation
• • Reduced Costs
• • Enhanced Efficiency
• • Cutting-edge Technology
• • Exemplary Customer Support

While MCA strengthens the core, CUVM helps credit unions manage what surrounds it. CUVM provides dependable, cost-effective vendor management and due diligence distribution services, backed by deep regulatory expertise and a commitment to highly personalized service.

6 Reasons to Choose CUVM

• 1. Specialization in Vendor Management
• 2. Unprecedented Personal Service
• 3. 24/7 Disaster Recovery
• 4. Cost-effective Service
• 5. Proficiency in NCUA and State Regulations
• 6. Comprehensive Solution

Together, MCA and CUVM showcase the power of the LEVERAGE ecosystem, delivering integrated solutions that streamline operations, reduce risk, and create more time for credit unions to focus on what matters most: their members.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MCA   |   LEARN MORE ABOUT CUVM

Exhibitor registration is now open for ENGAGE 2026—and this year, the Exhibit Hall experience is getting a bold new vision.

ENGAGE brings together more than 1,300 credit union leaders and decision-makers, and in 2026, we’re transforming the Exhibit Hall into the VISION Hall, a redesigned space built for discovery, connection, and meaningful engagement.

Instead of traditional numbered rows in our Exhibit Hall, the VISION Hall will be organized into solution-based communities or “neighborhoods,” allowing attendees to explore organically, discover relevant partners, and spend more time engaging with exhibitors—rather than simply passing through.

Our goal is simple: create energy, spark conversations, and turn the hall into a destination.

Secure your space and be part of a reimagined exhibit experience designed to maximize visibility, connection, and impact.

We look forward to welcoming you to ENGAGE 2026 and the new VISION Hall.

REGISTER TODAY!

By Steve Rick, Director and Chief Economist, TruStage

Economic signals suggest 2026 will not be a repeat of the last decade’s boom times, but it won’t be a disaster either.

Inflation: Higher, but manageable
Inflation will likely climb above the Federal Reserve’s two percent target, reaching 3.2 to 3.3 percent in early 2026. Why? Tariffs. Many firms have absorbed tariff costs so far, but they’ll eventually start passing those costs along to consumers. For credit unions, this means members will feel the pinch in everyday expenses, and lending strategies will probably need to adapt.

Interest rates: Cuts are coming
The Fed cut rates by 25 basis points in December, and they may cut another 50 basis points in 2026. The Fed is pulling its foot off the brake and easing out of restrictive territory. For CUs, lower rates could stimulate demand for auto loans and other credit products. That’s good news for loan growth, but it also means tighter margins on deposits.

Economic growth: Slow, not stalled
Despite inflationary pressure, I am not forecasting a recession in 2026. Instead, expect below-trend growth. For credit unions, this translates into a stable but cautious environment. Members may not be spending aggressively, but to keep the car analogies going; they’re unlikely to slam the brakes entirely.

Stock market: Lofty highs and looming risks
The S&P 500 has soared 16 percent year-to-date, 49 percent over the last two years, and 84 percent over the last five years. That’s created a wealth effect for the top 10 percent of Americans who own most stocks. But there could be trouble looming. Margin debt has ballooned to $1.1 trillion, up 34 percent in a year. If markets correct sharply, consumer confidence could take a hit, and members might pull back on spending and borrowing.

Valuation concerns and the AI factor
The Shiller P/E ratio is 41, the second highest level ever. The Shiller Ratio (CAPE) measures stock market value by comparing current prices to the average of 10 years of inflation-adjusted earnings, with higher ratios signaling lower future returns.

Much of the market surge is tied to the “Magnificent Seven” tech stocks and AI optimism. If AI fails to deliver the productivity gains investors expect, a bubble could burst. While I don’t foresee a crash, there are parallels to past speculative periods. For credit unions, a market downturn could mean members shifting focus to savings and liquidity.

Nightmare scenarios: What could go wrong?
I’m not forecasting doom, but I am watching several risks: trade wars escalating beyond tariffs, geopolitical shocks such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict spreading, commercial real estate stress with office vacancies and refinancing challenges, and falling home prices in states like Texas, Florida and California, which could ripple into consumer confidence.

Any of these could trigger a recession or at least a sharp slowdown. For CUs, that means preparing for potential spikes in delinquencies and shifts in member behavior.

What it all means for credit unions
The big picture? 2026 looks like a year of moderate inflation, easing rates and cautious growth. Credit unions should expect members to feel cost pressures while benefiting from lower borrowing costs. Loan demand—especially autos—may rise, but margins will tighten. Market volatility could influence member sentiment, making liquidity and risk management critical.

I am not forecasting a recession—just a little bit below-trend economic growth. For credit unions, that’s a call to stay nimble, focus on member needs and prepare for a year that’s more about managing risk than chasing record growth.

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