1989 – Filene incorporates with support from charter members CUNA Mutual Group, CUNA and state credit union leagues; David Chatfield, a former NCUA Board member, hired as first executive director and goes on to become president of the California Credit Union League.
1991 – Bob Hoel, a Colorado State University marketing professor, becomes executive director, serving until his retirement in 2006.
1993 – Publication of “Field of Membership: An Evolving Concept,” an important milestone on the path to the Credit Union Membership Access Act.
1999 – Filene branches into applied research by studying opportunities for serving low-income individuals, building the intellectual basis for REAL Solutions.
2004 – i3 group is launched; Filene also launches REAL Solutions for low-wealth households.
2005 – George Hofheimer joins the institute as chief research officer and initiates the “Filene Fellows” model, with participants from world-class universities and consulting firms.
2006 – Mark Meyer becomes executive director; Denise Gabel, a member of the original i3 group, replaces him as chief innovation officer.
2007 – Filene pilots CU Tomorrow project for young adults.
2008-2009 – Filene celebrates a record year of output, publishing more than 35 research and innovation projects.