WEEKLY UPDATE FROM MONTANA'S CREDIT UNIONS | April 3, 2026 | | |
Hoppy Friday! 🐰 Did you get pranked on Wednesday (April Fool's Day)? While social media has amplified exposure of pranks (like saying Taco Dowler was leaving the Bobcats), studies report that only about 20% of people participate. Since you can't be serious all of the time — we've tried — we've pulled together a few resources to help you celebrate next year or just some random Tuesday:
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Recent National Advocacy Appointment: America’s Credit Unions has named Kathleen Coulombe as Chief Advocacy Officer, effective April 20, bringing nearly two decades of federal advocacy leadership. She will lead the national advocacy strategy and work closely with Leagues to advance credit union priorities. “We look forward to partnering with Kathleen to strengthen our collective advocacy and ensure a strong voice for the members and communities we serve,” said Karen Smith.
As momentum builds in Congress around a potential budget reconciliation package, America's Credit Unions is actively engaging lawmakers and keeping credit unions informed on developments. While political and procedural hurdles remain, protecting the credit union tax status continues to be a top priority, with coordinated advocacy efforts already reinforcing the industry’s strong position. Stay tuned for continued updates as the process evolves.
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2026 Diamond Award Winners: Please help us congratulate three of our member credit unions on their America's Credit Unions' Marketing, PR, and Development Council Diamond Awards!
- Whitefish CU
- Mountain America CU
- Altana FCU
Perhaps the most prestigious annual credit union marketing competition, the Diamond Awards recognize creative excellence annually. Visit America's Credit Unions' website to view all of this year's winners.
| | | Economic Update: The latest economic update from America’s Credit Unions highlights research on how credit unions lower loan rates, expand access, and remain resilient during economic stress. The findings underscore the real impact of the credit union difference. Access the full update and data tools. | |  | Demystifying Stablecoins: Stablecoins are making headlines, but understanding them isn’t always straightforward. This article breaks down how they work, what supports their value, and what to watch as they gain traction in the payments landscape. | | | Inclusiv Crashers Cohort 2026: Congratulations to Erika Sylvester of Clearwater CU on her appointment to the Inaugural Inclusiv Crashers Cohort! This recognition highlights Erika’s leadership and commitment to inclusive finance, as she joins a group of emerging changemakers from across the nation who are working to expand financial access, elevate underrepresented voices, and reimagine what’s possible when everyone has a seat at the table. We’re excited to see the impact she’ll help shape — both through the launch of Inclusiv chapters and beyond! | | | |
Hotel Room Block Deadline Approaching — Power Up 2026: Planning to attend Power Up, May 19–21? Be sure to secure your stay before the hotel room block deadline on April 17 at the BW Premier Helena Great Northern Hotel or April 27 at DoubleTree by Hilton Helena Downtown.
Rooms are filling quickly, so we encourage you to make your reservation soon to guarantee availability. Check out the bottom of the Power Up webpage for hotel reservation details.
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Did you know? Our Young Professional Community (HYPE) committee writes quarterly blogs on leadership, serving members, and the credit union difference. We've quickly realized the value of these blogs shouldn't be limited to a young professional audience, so we'll be periodically sharing them with you.
The first blog comes from Montana Credit Union's Micah Bevans, who provides an example of her credit union making the #CUDifference through community fundraising. Give it a read, see what you can integrate into your own credit union, and stay tuned for additional blogs.
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This Week's Blogs
Personal Finance Blog: This week, we kicked off Credit Union Youth Month with our first of five "Money Masterpiece" blogs. In this week's Personal Finance blog, we've shared four age-appropriate money lessons to help kids create their financial story with the help of their friendly, local credit union, of course.
A Direct Line: Stories make an impact by putting real people at the center of the credit union mission. This week's blog reinforces that when credit unions share their stories, they strengthen trust, engagement, and collective impact statewide.
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Save the Dates for Future Important Events
We've compiled a list of events happening next week so you don't have to. Montana's Credit Unions events are in blue. All events are mountain time unless noted otherwise.
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Save the dates (MCU events are in blue)...
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InfoSight360 Mortgage Loan Originator Training, virtually on April 21
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Grant Writing 101: From Readiness to Results on April 21 in Great Falls with optional Drafting Lab and Shared Workspace on April 22
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Cybersecurity Conference on May 13-15 in Austin, TX, or virtually
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Power Up Conference & Expo on May 19-20, in Helena
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VP Roundtable on May 21, in Helena
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Personify Leaderhsip Training on June 10-11, in Great Falls
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Holy Cow! How to Create an Amazing Workplace that Steers Passion, Performance & Prosperity on June 16-18, in Billings, Butte (Fairmont Hot Springs), and Missoula
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VentureTech 2026 on November 16-18 in Fort Worth, TX; flash sale ends April 15
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Credit Union Youth Month: You have an entire month to celebrate Credit Union Youth Month, so if, on April 3, you've found yourself without a plan for in-branch, online, or within the community celebrations, don't sweat. We have three ideas for you from easiest to easy:
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Easiest: React to and repost our content on social media and share our blogs with your members in newsletters
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Easier: Download our toolkit for ideas, inspiration, activities, and logos
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Easy: Showcase all of the cool things you're already doing for your younger members
Want to tell your #CUYouthMonth story? Email Michelle.
| | | Velera Announces Leadership Succession: On October 1, Brian Caldarelli, currently chief administrative officer, will succeed retiring President and CEO Chuck Fagan. This move will keep the organization on track with its strategy and commitment to innovation and service for credit unions. This transition is part of a long-term succession plan to ensure continuity and position Velera for continued growth following the combination of PSCU and Co-op Solutions. Read the full media release for more. | | | |
Buy Two Webinars, Get One Free Sale: This month, CU Webinar Network is making it simple to expand your training resources. Buy two regularly priced webinars, and you’ll get a third webinar of your choice completely free. Take advantage of this opportunity to maximize your budget and enhance your training library by April 30. Discover how it works!
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Why Life Insurance Belongs in Every Credit Union’s Financial Wellness Strategy: Join TruStage for a complimentary webinar at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 30, to learn how offering accessible life insurance can strengthen member stability, close coverage gaps, and position your credit union as a trusted financial partner — while generating sustainable non-interest income. Hear from Kevin Cummer, Director of Life Product Management at TruStage, for his expert perspective on innovation in life insurance, including simplified products, instant decision underwriting, and strategies to better serve middle-market consumers.
| | | And Speaking of TruStage: We are pleased to share TruStage’s 2025 Annual Report, documenting a year defined by purpose, partnership, and performance. The report focuses on "Brighter financial futures, build together" and underscores their guiding principles of helping people build confidence in their financial decisions at every stage of life. Behind the numbers is a simple throughline: When credit unions succeed, members thrive. And TruStage is at its best when they grow with the movement they were founded to serve. | | | Webinars for Everyone on your Team: Learn from the comfort of your own office from these webinar partners. Click on each to view a list of upcoming webinars. | | | |
Financial Literacy Month
As we turn the calendar to April, we also kick off Financial Literacy Month and Credit Union Youth Month — a timely reminder of the essential role credit unions play in strengthening the financial well-being of our members and our communities across Montana. Financial empowerment has always been core to the credit union mission, and this month allows us to spotlight that work with intention and pride.
Across Montana, credit unions roll up their sleeves daily to help members build confidence in managing their money — whether that’s saving for emergencies, understanding credit, or planning for a more secure future. One of the most impactful ways we do this, year after year, is through Financial Reality Fairs. Throughout April, credit unions partner with high schools to give students a hands-on experience in budgeting and real-world financial decision-making. These events take an enormous amount of volunteer energy, and I’m proud that staff from Montana’s Credit Unions join alongside credit unions across the state to make them possible.
This week, I had the chance to participate in a Reality Fair hosted by Rocky Mountain Credit Union at Manhattan High School, where volunteers from several area credit unions came together to guide students through the sometimes eye-opening choices that come with adulting — housing, transportation, childcare, managing debt, and more. Watching students grapple with these decisions — and come out the other side with greater understanding — is a powerful reminder of why this work matters.
One student told me, “I’m going to be a doctor, so I’m choosing the most expensive options at every station.” She came back to my station — savings and retirement — and said her budget didn’t work because she didn’t realize how much student debt she had. Another student came to me excited and shared that he had $150 left over, and he wanted to put it into savings instead of another spending category. I was impressed with how savvy many of the students were, even when their budgets didn’t work the first time. The teacher shared with us that she was glad we were there to reinforce financial concepts that she had been teaching all semester. Hearing it from someone else, she stated, will help it sink in.
To every credit union professional who is volunteering your time and expertise this month: thank you. You’re not just teaching budgeting skills; you’re helping shape financially confident young adults and building stronger communities for the long term.
Happy Financial Literacy Month — and here’s to the meaningful impact credit unions continue to make, one member and one student at a time.
Cooperatively, Gerry
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