Pathways to growth

<p>No two credit unions approach growth the same way. <br/><br/>That’s especially true of three credit union CEOs who recently spoke with the CUNA News Podcast about how their credit unions have achieved growth in recent years. <br/><br/><a href='https://www.platinumfcu.org/'>Platinum Federal Credit Union</a> in Duluth, Ga., relies on virtual branches and committees to attract and retain members in areas that can’t support brick-and-mortar branches, says CEO Kabir Laiwalla. <br/><br/>Founded in 2000 to serve the Ismaili sect of Shia Muslims nationwide, the credit union has grown from less than $1 million in assets to more than $150 million in assets today. <br/><br/>When building a new branch, <a href='https://med5fcu.org/'>MED5 Federal Credit Union</a> in Rapid City, S.D., created a space with a twist—a coffee shop open to the community, says CEO Pam Brown-Graff. The coffee shop brings potential members into the credit union for a jolt of java while also giving back to the community. <br/><br/>Lisa Brown has experience lifting credit unions from the brink of insolvency. As CEO of <a href='https://www.tlfcu.org/'>Tallahassee-Leon (Fla.) Federal Credit Union</a>, she’s guided the credit union toward growth, doubling assets and growing capital from 6% to nearly 11%. <br/><br/>Her experiences with the <a href='https://www.ncuf.coop/development-education/international/'>National Credit Union Foundation’s International Credit Union Development Education (DE) program</a> has taught her to think creatively to develop solutions for the credit union’s membership. <br/><br/>Laiwalla, Brown-Graff, and Brown are among 39 credit union leaders named as <a href='https://news.cuna.org/rockstar'>2020 Credit Union Rock Stars</a> by <em>Credit Union Magazine</em>. <br/><br/>Sponsored by<a href='https://www.fiserv.com/'> Fiserv</a>, the Credit Union Rock Stars program recognizes outstanding credit union professionals and volunteers from a wide range of disciplines for their exceptional creativity, innovation, and passion.</p>