
Natasha Chilingerian has been immersed in the credit union industry for over a decade. She first joined CU Times in 2011 as a freelance writer, and following a two-year hiatus from 2013-2015, during which time she served as a communications specialist for Xceed Financial Credit Union (now Kinecta Federal Credit Union), she re-joined the CU Times team full-time as managing editor. She was promoted to executive editor in 2019. In the earlier days of her career, Chilingerian focused on news and lifestyle journalism, serving as a writer and editor for numerous regional publications in Oregon, Louisiana, South Carolina and the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition, she holds experience in marketing copywriting for companies in the finance and technology space. At CU Times, she covers People and Community news, cybersecurity, fintech partnerships, marketing, workplace culture, leadership, DEI, branch strategies, digital banking and more. She currently works remotely and splits her time between Southern California and Portland, Ore.
The 230 finalists across 27 categories will be honored Nov. 5 at the annual CU Times Luminaries Awards gala in Orlando.
Plus, SECU of Maryland and Abound CU professionals receive local recognitions.
Fiserv SVP Ahon Sarkar gets into the core system weeds as part of a lively discussion that covers the company's new agentOS system, member trust and the concept of AI consciousness.
Plus, youth banking platform provider Nuuvia names Marcell King CEO.
Plus, the CEO of Ardent CU announces his retirement and an Abound CU EVP wins a league award.
Plus, Metro CU President/CEO Robert Cashman receives the Pierre Jay Award from NASCUS.
One year into the launch of Fuel Solutions, which is essentially a CUSO for credit union leagues, Executive Director Stephen Nelson catches us up on the venture's evolution to date and future plans.
Plus, a wealth advisor hire expands Gesa CU's in-person presence and virtual access across Washington State.
Plus, Cornerstone Advisors appoints a new CEO and chairman, among other news.
Plus, MemberClose hires a director of sales and Entersekt names a new CEO.

From Elan Credit Card
Rising fraud, digital demand, and regulatory pressure are reshaping credit card programs. Discover what it takes to maintain a competitive card program and why many credit unions are reconsidering in-house issuing.
Download Resource
From CUCollaborate
With rising acquisition costs and industry consolidation, random acts of marketing are no longer enough. This executive guide provides a 5-step framework to unlock sustainable, member-driven growth by fixing fit, friction, and focus.
Download Resource
From CUCollaborate
More than half of credit unions are in decline. This data brief analyzes ten years of performance data, revealing how strategic Field of Membership (FOM) expansion is the single most reliable lever for sustainable growth. Download it to learn more.
Download Resource
From CPI
Offering premium metal cards can seem complex and costly. This playbook demystifies the process, showing institutions of all sizes how to launch a scalable, high-impact metal card program to drive loyalty and enhance brand perception.
Download Resource
From FICO
With 1.4 billion adults lacking credit records, alternative data is key to market expansion. This guide shows how to assess and combine this data with traditional sources to improve credit risk analytics and create lower-friction processes.
Download Resource
From CUCollaborate
In a consolidating industry, strategic growth is essential. This guide reframes Field of Membership from a regulatory hurdle into a competitive advantage, providing a tactical playbook for sustainable expansion.
Download Resource
From FICO
Go beyond traditional credit data. The UltraFICO� Score unifies cash flow insights with proven FICO� methodology, giving you a deeper view of borrower creditworthiness to safely approve more qualified applicants.
Download Resource
From Alogent
With new CFPB deadlines for Section 1071 approaching, credit unions must streamline data collection. This guide details how Alogent?s automation solutions can help you ensure compliance and enhance operational efficiency.
Download Resource
From Alogent
Beehive Federal Credit Union transformed its commercial lending operations by replacing a manual, error-prone system with AccuAccount. Discover how they achieved greater efficiency, accuracy, and compliance in this detailed case study.
Download Resource
From Alogent
Fraudsters are increasingly targeting the teller line. How can institutions strengthen in-branch security without creating delays for members? This case study shows how one credit union solved this challenge without a complete system overhaul.
Download Resource
From Alogent
Credit unions struggle with disconnected systems and manual processes. This eBook provides department-specific use cases for an ECM platform that streamlines workflows, boosts compliance, and enhances efficiency across your entire organization.
Download Resource
From Alogent
Credit unions face mounting pressure to manage information while meeting strict compliance demands. This eBook explores how modern Enterprise Content Management (ECM) technology helps credit unions mitigate risk and enhance efficiency.
Download Resource
From Alogent
Move beyond legacy imaging and manual workflows. This eBook provides a maturity framework to help credit unions assess their current ECM strategy, identify gaps, and create a roadmap for digital transformation and efficiency.
Download Resource
From Alogent
Efficiently manage documents and automate processes with Alogent's FASTdocs. This eBook provides actionable best practices to centralize content, enhance security, and deliver fast, secure access to information across your credit union.
Download Resource
From Alogent
Is your credit union's commercial lending process slowed by manual tasks and paperwork? This guide introduces a digital solution to automate workflows, speed up loan decisions, and improve the member experience. Learn how to transform your operations.
Download Resource
From Elan Credit Card
Digital engagement now determines which credit cards consumers choose, use, and keep. This new report from PYMNTS and Elan Credit Card reveals why the mobile app is becoming as important as the card itself.
Download Resource
From Bankjoy
Many credit unions struggle to engage indirect members. This case study shows how CommunityWide FCU transformed its app into a financial hub, boosting member retention by up to 25% with integrated financial wellness tools.
Download Resource
From Bankjoy
Discover how T-Fed credit union reduced their time spent on fraud investigations by 85%, while identifying over $55,000 in attempted fraudulent transactions in 6 months using a real-time multi-layered fraud prevention solution.
Download Resource
From Bankjoy
For community FIs, selecting a digital banking platform based on price can lead to hidden costs like member attrition and security risks. This report reveals the true cost of 'budget' solutions and offers a framework for smarter investment. For community FIs, selecting a digital banking platform based on price can lead to hidden costs like member attrition and security risks. This report reveals the true cost of 'budget' solutions and offers a framework for smarter investment.
Download Resource
From Bankjoy
When Ellafi FCU rebranded to serve women+, they needed a tool to deliver on their promise of financial empowerment. Discover how Bankjoy's JoyCompass led to a remarkable 18% member adoption in 24 hours and transformed their member experience.
Download Resource
From Bankjoy
Megabanks seem to dominate digital, but credit unions have a hidden advantage. This whitepaper reveals 3 pillars to deliver a superior digital experience that attracts and retains members, especially younger generations.
Download Resource
From Elan Credit Card
Scale modern merchant services without adding internal infrastructure. Learn how a relationship?driven merchant model can help your financial institution enhance revenue and loyalty with small businesses.
Download Resource
From Elan Credit Card
Did you know that nearly three-quarters of all banking interactions now happen through digital channels? A well-designed mobile banking app is no longer optional -- it?s essential.
Download Resource
From Elan Credit Card
Nearly one-third of consumers don?t know their credit score or how to improve it. With financial planning tools, educational resources, and one-on-one support, credit unions deepen their impact with members while helping them meet their broader financial goals.
Download Resource
From Elan Credit Card
Virtual cards are the next phase of digital payments with 42% of consumers using one within the past 6 months. Learn more about the growing payment method in this new report.
Download Resource
From Elan Credit Card
Rising fraud, digital demand, and regulatory pressure are reshaping credit card programs. Discover what it takes to maintain a competitive card program and why many credit unions are reconsidering in-house issuing.
Download Resource
From CUCollaborate
With rising acquisition costs and industry consolidation, random acts of marketing are no longer enough. This executive guide provides a 5-step framework to unlock sustainable, member-driven growth by fixing fit, friction, and focus.
Download Resource
From CUCollaborate
More than half of credit unions are in decline. This data brief analyzes ten years of performance data, revealing how strategic Field of Membership (FOM) expansion is the single most reliable lever for sustainable growth. Download it to learn more.
Download Resource
From CPI
Offering premium metal cards can seem complex and costly. This playbook demystifies the process, showing institutions of all sizes how to launch a scalable, high-impact metal card program to drive loyalty and enhance brand perception.
Download Resource
From FICO
With 1.4 billion adults lacking credit records, alternative data is key to market expansion. This guide shows how to assess and combine this data with traditional sources to improve credit risk analytics and create lower-friction processes.
Download Resource
From CUCollaborate
In a consolidating industry, strategic growth is essential. This guide reframes Field of Membership from a regulatory hurdle into a competitive advantage, providing a tactical playbook for sustainable expansion.
Download Resource
From FICO
Go beyond traditional credit data. The UltraFICO� Score unifies cash flow insights with proven FICO� methodology, giving you a deeper view of borrower creditworthiness to safely approve more qualified applicants.
Download Resource
From Alogent
With new CFPB deadlines for Section 1071 approaching, credit unions must streamline data collection. This guide details how Alogent?s automation solutions can help you ensure compliance and enhance operational efficiency.
Download Resource
From Alogent
Beehive Federal Credit Union transformed its commercial lending operations by replacing a manual, error-prone system with AccuAccount. Discover how they achieved greater efficiency, accuracy, and compliance in this detailed case study.
Download Resource
From Alogent
Fraudsters are increasingly targeting the teller line. How can institutions strengthen in-branch security without creating delays for members? This case study shows how one credit union solved this challenge without a complete system overhaul.
Download Resource
From Alogent
Credit unions struggle with disconnected systems and manual processes. This eBook provides department-specific use cases for an ECM platform that streamlines workflows, boosts compliance, and enhances efficiency across your entire organization.
Download Resource
From Alogent
Credit unions face mounting pressure to manage information while meeting strict compliance demands. This eBook explores how modern Enterprise Content Management (ECM) technology helps credit unions mitigate risk and enhance efficiency.
Download Resource
From Alogent
Move beyond legacy imaging and manual workflows. This eBook provides a maturity framework to help credit unions assess their current ECM strategy, identify gaps, and create a roadmap for digital transformation and efficiency.
Download Resource
From Alogent
Efficiently manage documents and automate processes with Alogent's FASTdocs. This eBook provides actionable best practices to centralize content, enhance security, and deliver fast, secure access to information across your credit union.
Download Resource
From Alogent
Is your credit union's commercial lending process slowed by manual tasks and paperwork? This guide introduces a digital solution to automate workflows, speed up loan decisions, and improve the member experience. Learn how to transform your operations.
Download Resource
From Elan Credit Card
Digital engagement now determines which credit cards consumers choose, use, and keep. This new report from PYMNTS and Elan Credit Card reveals why the mobile app is becoming as important as the card itself.
Download Resource
From Bankjoy
Many credit unions struggle to engage indirect members. This case study shows how CommunityWide FCU transformed its app into a financial hub, boosting member retention by up to 25% with integrated financial wellness tools.
Download Resource
From Bankjoy
Discover how T-Fed credit union reduced their time spent on fraud investigations by 85%, while identifying over $55,000 in attempted fraudulent transactions in 6 months using a real-time multi-layered fraud prevention solution.
Download Resource
From Bankjoy
For community FIs, selecting a digital banking platform based on price can lead to hidden costs like member attrition and security risks. This report reveals the true cost of 'budget' solutions and offers a framework for smarter investment. For community FIs, selecting a digital banking platform based on price can lead to hidden costs like member attrition and security risks. This report reveals the true cost of 'budget' solutions and offers a framework for smarter investment.
Download Resource
From Bankjoy
When Ellafi FCU rebranded to serve women+, they needed a tool to deliver on their promise of financial empowerment. Discover how Bankjoy's JoyCompass led to a remarkable 18% member adoption in 24 hours and transformed their member experience.
Download Resource
From Bankjoy
Megabanks seem to dominate digital, but credit unions have a hidden advantage. This whitepaper reveals 3 pillars to deliver a superior digital experience that attracts and retains members, especially younger generations.
Download Resource
From Elan Credit Card
Scale modern merchant services without adding internal infrastructure. Learn how a relationship?driven merchant model can help your financial institution enhance revenue and loyalty with small businesses.
Download Resource
From Elan Credit Card
Did you know that nearly three-quarters of all banking interactions now happen through digital channels? A well-designed mobile banking app is no longer optional -- it?s essential.
Download Resource
From Elan Credit Card
Nearly one-third of consumers don?t know their credit score or how to improve it. With financial planning tools, educational resources, and one-on-one support, credit unions deepen their impact with members while helping them meet their broader financial goals.
Download Resource
From Elan Credit Card
Virtual cards are the next phase of digital payments with 42% of consumers using one within the past 6 months. Learn more about the growing payment method in this new report.
Download Resource
From Elan Credit Card
Rising fraud, digital demand, and regulatory pressure are reshaping credit card programs. Discover what it takes to maintain a competitive card program and why many credit unions are reconsidering in-house issuing.
Download Resource





