Annual Dues Investment

Impact Report

"As we go forward together in 2025, let our collective influence continue to drive positive change for GoWest credit union members and their communities while we wholly lean into our greater purpose. The future shines bright, and GoWest is honored to stand alongside you."

- Troy Stang, President and CEO of GoWest

Advocacy Cooperative Value Community Impact

Federal Advocacy

Proactive Policy Impact

Successful "behind the scenes" influence with key leaders and staff on critical issues including data security, FHLB changes, SAFE Banking and CRA.

Protecting Against Policy Threats

Actively defended against harmful legislation including the Credit Card Competition Act & unbalancing of the Electronic Funds Transfer Act.

Educating Policymakers

Met with all 48 members of our Congressional delegation and key committees advocating on crucial public policy issues impacting credit unions.

Securing Legislation

Advocated for legislation including Board modernization, MBL cap flexibility, loan maturity limits, data protection, and CDFI transparency and funding.

Election Engagement & Funding Support

Engaged in election activities to support & advance credit union champions in key Congressional Districts, including financial support for 42 members of Congress.

State Advocacy

Arizona

  • Passed bill modernizing the Arizona Credit Union Act.
  • Prevented bills related to ESG from impacting operations. 
  • Ensured fund sweeps of the state regulator’s office did not impact operations or raid credit union assessments.

Colorado

  • Engaged in the sunset process to modernize the Credit Union Act.
  • Developed strategic relationships with legislative leadership, committee chairpersons, and new legislators.
  • Protected credit union interests in lending, GAP insurance legislation.
  • Defeated all anti-ESG legislation.

Idaho

  • Passed modernization language to the Idaho Credit Union Act.
  • Defeated anti-ESG legislation.
  • Safeguarded protections for credit unions as lienholders.
  • Discussed and finalized financial exploitation and vulnerable adult legislation.

Oregon

  • Passed important funding for Individual Development Accounts.
  • Passed Legislation to support First-Time Home Buyer Savings Accounts.
  • Protected credit union interests in debt collection, artificial intelligence discussion and state bank legislation.
  • Convened State Issues Work Group to create a future-focused legislative agenda.

Wyoming

  • Passed tow notification legislation.
  • Protected credit unions from liability in merchant category code legislation.
  • Passed electronic titling as an interim study topic.
  • Expanded credit union voice in housing issues.

Grassroots Advocacy

3,500+ unique points of engagement between legislators and credit union advocates to advance public policy agenda.

300+ credit union advocates received training across programs to prepare them as advocates, advocacy coordinators, and key contacts.

Deployed strategic planning/training sessions with advocacy coordinators and key contacts with credit unions across the six-state region.

Developed and released advocacy training videos and resources to bolster educational materials for member CUs to use in training advocates internally.

Executed PAC engagement initiatives increasing individual contributions to America's Credit Unions PAC & ensuring sustainable state PAC fundraising via signature events.

Regulatory Advocacy

Successful Advocacy with the NCUA to Improve the Credit Union Operating Environment

Helped shape Share Insurance Rules and led efforts ensuring reciprocal deposits were covered. Provided feedback on NCUA's succession planning proposal.

Ensured GoWest Member Participation on CFPB Rulemaking

Led effort that resulted in comprehensive input on open banking, overdraft and other key proposals.

Colorado Guidance

Led advocacy efforts on guidance by the Financial Regulator reducing the required number of board meetings & clarifying remote Board & Annual meetings.

Excess Share Insurance

Worked with ESI on an excess share insurance solution in Arizona & Wyoming; expecting regulatory approval & availability in Q1 2025.

Cooperative Value

Impact and Messaging Resources
The Marketing & PR Resource Center showcases credit unions' positive impact & includes resources on cybersecurity, fees, and more.

Drawing Attention to Advocacy Priorities
Through proactive media outreach, GoWest reached policymakers about advocacy priorities including Credit Union Act modernization, our value proposition, and affordable housing.

Advancing Compliance
40+ training sessions provided in risk and compliance.
1,329 member questions answered (as of 10/30/2024).

Accessing Resources
9,500 InfoSight sign-ons to access compliance and risk management resources (as of 3rd qtr 2024).
2,900 CU PolicyPro sign-ins to access policies (as of 3rd qtr 2024).
52 compliance bulletins/risk alerts/fraud alerts distributed (as of 10/30/2024).

Talent Development

Talent Development

Empowering 150+ leaders through GoWest programs: Leadership Institute, Advanced Leadership Program, YP Leads, YP Summit, and the CU Community Workshop.

Committees & Advisory Groups

Nearly 400 credit union professionals representing 145 credit unions served on committees and advisory groups, collaborated on sharing best practices, informed Association strategy, and shaped the operating environment for credit unions.

CU Communities

141 CU leaders served on chapters, 46 young professional group leaders fostered collaboration across regional groups, and the GoWest YP Steering Group has helped shape and organize 17 professional leadership development events.

Councils

Eight discipline-specific Councils — serving 1900+ participants meeting three times a year to share best practices, stay current on industry trends, & foster collaboration across the GoWest region.

Small CUs

GoWest serves over 150 small credit unions with customized resources including roundtables, event pricing discounts, a complimentary salary survey, compliance resources, access to a legal retainer, and more.

Leveraging collective strengths, specialized expertise and essential partnerships, we provide innovative business solutions and thought leadership to accelerate growth and expand capacity for credit unions to deliver greater value and better serve their members.

10

emerging technology solution companies vetted through the Innovation Acceleration Committee to further industry evolution.

$1.9Million+

in business partner commissions to sharpen advocacy mission and community impact.

$1.5Million+

in industry sponsorships to create opportunities for members to convene, network and collaborate.

34

unique business partnerships extended across the six-state region to advance operational efficiencies and accelerate growth.

3

in-person Fintech Connects hosted to promote industry networking and drive innovation forward.

30+

credit unions using GoWest AffirmX platform to reduce risk and better manage the complexities of regulatory compliance.

Focused on the future, solutions for today

Community Impact

$2.7 million in new funding for GoWest Foundation to expand pilot program: enabling credit unions to make loans to underserved small businesses in Washington.

$1.2 million raised in volunteer-driven Credit Unions for Kids Auction benefiting 11 Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.

$11.1 million awarded to GoWest credit unions in NCUA and CDFI funding to expand affordable financial products and services to economically underserved communities.

By understanding the distinctive needs of our members and those they serve, we are uniquely positioned to leverage our network, diverse experiences, and resources to act as a catalyst for community impact initiatives that enhance the financial well-being of individuals and communities.

Small Business Success
Partnered with Washington State credit unions to allocate $10.3 million in Small Business Resiliency Loans to more than 630 small businesses.

Workforce Housing
$200,000 grant to Tucson-based credit unions to launch a collaborative 100% financed mortgage product that expands homeownership opportunities for first-time buyers.

Scholarships
$207,030 awarded to credit union professionals to increase access to education and advancement within the Movement.

Financial Education
11,685 students in high school and college engaged through 130 in-person Bite of Reality Fairs to improve financial literacy.

Rural Access to Financial Services
$45,000 raised to Clarity Credit Union to deploy a mobile branch to serve multiple underserved rural communities in Southwest Idaho.

Grants
$471,000 disbursed in total grant funds to support workforce housing, rural access to financial services, and financial capability in our region.

Generating meaningful impact

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