New Industry Group Connects Female Leaders of Small Credit Unions

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While women are about three times more likely to sit at the helm of a credit union than a bank, the credit unions they lead are also more likely to be small, according to recent research from CUNA. Now, there’s an official group that female leaders of small-asset-sized credit unions can join to garner support and share best practices.

Female CEOs from 13 credit unions with $300 million or less in assets launched the Credit Union Women’s Leadership Alliance (CUWLA) in February with support from CUNA and CUNA Mutual Group, according to a news release. CEOs of small credit unions face unique challenges, as they hold the same responsibilities as CEOs of larger credit unions and are often required to wear multiple hats; CUWLA gives women in this category an opportunity to voice their concerns, leverage economies of scale within their credit unions, as well as preserve and sustain smaller credit unions, according to the release.