Knowledge

Enhancing Commercial Lending Through Partnerships

  Visit CUBroadcast for the whole episode.   The AVANA CUSO and Sunlight Financial Credit Union Experience   The Partnership: A Journey of Mutual Growth and Understanding   The collaboration between AVANA CUSO and Sunlight Financial Credit Union...

New Name, Same Expertise: Extensia Financial is now AVANA CUSO

This fall, change is in the air in more ways than one. We are thrilled to announce Extensia Financial is now AVANA CUSO.  As excited as we are about our future as AVANA CUSO, we want to also assure our partnering credit unions and brokers that we will continue...

The Keys to Our (& Our Partners’) Success

AVANA CUSO is honored to be the nation’s leading credit union service organization (CUSO). But that title does not come by happenstance.  Being our industry’s best means having the unwavering determination to deliver superior commercial lending solutions,...

The Highly Anticipated 2023 NAFCU Lending Conference

Finally reaching Q4 has many perks. One of those perks is being able to close out the year with tools to help us successfully navigate 2024 and beyond.  That toolbox is being provided by the National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions (NAFCU).  Credit...

This Fall: Innovate & Elevate at 4 CU Conferences

Credit union conferences offer a litany of benefits to even the most seasoned CU professionals. At Extensia Financial, we’re personally drawn to how they inspire our industry to do better and be better. In addition, they arm us with toolboxes to do so.  The...

Overlooked Opportunities in CRE Investing

Concerned about real estate investing? You’re not alone. There’s heavy criticism circling commercial real estate these days – headline after headline advising not to invest. But it’s blanket narratives like those that are short-sighted and damaging. The reality is...

Extensia’s Unique Approach to Forging Partnerships

As a leading Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO), we have a unique relationship-first approach to participation lending. That approach has helped us forge thousands of partnerships throughout the years. Harnessing our decades of experience in the industry, we...

Extensia Product Spotlight: Renewable Energy Loans

Renewable energy was the fastest-growing energy source in the United States between 2010 and 2020, growing 42% in usage over the decade. As renewable energy businesses continue to emerge and capitalize on this market opportunity, securing external funding will be...

Credit Union Conferences: Stay Inspired & Connected This Summer

This year has already been so transformative for many, especially for credit unions. Financial institutions are navigating through volatile macroeconomic conditions, liquidity challenges, emerging technologies and many other forces. But even in the wake of all that,...

SBA 504s: An Advantage for Credit Unions & Their Communities

In the world of commercial lending, there are various products available. When it comes to small businesses, few loans offer as much potential as SBA 504 1st Mortgage Loans. For credit unions that facilitate 504s, the benefits are also many, including an expanded...

The Indirect (& Powerful) Impact of CRE Lending

The conversations around commercial real estate investing tend to center around the potential advantages and gains afforded to CRE investors.  Such benefits are numerous; however, it’s equally important to reflect on the impact commercial lending has on others. The...

Credit Unions & Tech: The Case for Reliable & Current Technology

Credit unions have long been a vital part of the financial landscape, known for their member-focused service and products.  While credit unions have always placed a strong emphasis on community and member needs, in today’s fast-paced and technology-driven world, they...

Lending a Helping Hand: Client Retention Done Right

At Extensia Financial, we take a uniquely effective approach to client retention. Since 1998, Extensia Financial has been partnering with credit unions and brokers across the country to originate and service commercial real estate (CRE) loans. But we don’t stop there....

The Tax Benefits of CRE

With the tax deadline approaching in April, many investors will reflect on the strategies they employ and look for deductions that will lessen their tax liability.  One surefire investment with tax benefits is commercial real estate (CRE). Here we’re outlining some...

Celebrating the Importance of Women-Owned Businesses

Women’s History Month is a time when everyone can honor the legacy and impact of women. In celebration of this important time, our lens is on the vital role women play as entrepreneurs and small business owners.  In fact, women started 49% of new businesses in the...

How Credit Unions Can Better Serve Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs are a key segment of our economy. They infuse job creation, economic development and innovation into their communities.  To help facilitate all that growth and development, credit unions play an important role in ensuring entrepreneurs have the right...

Lending a Helping Hand: How We Save At-Risk Loans

Extensia Financial is proud to be the best credit union service organization (CUSO) for commercial real estate lending. We operate as a true partner by personally guiding CUs through the loan approval process. Likewise, if a good loan were to go bad, we’re an advocate...

Top Rural & Agricultural Credit Unions

About 60 million people live in rural communities throughout the country. Rural dwellers’ inconvenient distance from financial hubs and their unique financial needs mean they often look for specialized support.  As such, there are a number of savvy credit unions that...

Top Digital Banking Solutions Credit Unions Should Consider in 2023

Every new year brings new innovations in the financial services space. So, now’s the time – before competitors beat you to the punch – to reassess if members’ digital needs and preferences are met for 2023.  In today’s ever-evolving environment, if credit unions...

Must-Attend Credit Union Conferences in Q1 2023

Credit union conferences are a great place for CU professionals to gain inspiration, stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends, and learn about new services and tech impacting credit unions.  Luckily, there are some highly recommended credit union conferences...

Lending a Helping Hand: Extensia’s Amy Miller

Extensia Financial is proud our team includes some of the most seasoned and service-oriented CUSO professionals in the industry. In our first installment of “Lending a Helping Hand,” we’re honored to introduce to you a newer staffer, one who has been in the financial...

When Members Win, Credit Unions Win

As you now well know, credit unions have the upper hand over larger financial institutions in the most impactful of ways. Given their lower fees, better savings rates, superior customer service and greater personalization with financial products, the benefits are...

Benefits of Being a CRE Entrepreneur

November is National Entrepreneurship Month, a celebration of all the risk-takers and go-getters who push their ideas forward and hedge their bets on themselves. There are obviously so many kinds of entrepreneurs and businesses in which they operate. But today our...

How Credit Unions Benefit from Cannabis Real Estate Lending

With the current economic volatility and interest rates rising, it’s important credit unions monitor the risk levels of their lending portfolios and prioritize diversification of their assets. There are many ways CUs can diversify their portfolios, but one in...

Top 5 Credit Unions for Veterans

In honor of Veteran’s Day, we’re highlighting the top credit unions for veterans. These military-focused financial institutions provide personalized financial services and products that benefit vets in a way national banks simply do not.  Since credit unions for...

Real Estate Stocks: Best REITs to Invest In

Any seasoned commercial real estate investor understands the power of diversifying their portfolios with real estate stocks. This is especially true as we head into a potentially volatile and unknown economic environment and real estate market. As a result, many...

The Best Sources for Credit Union News

Here’s a Look at the Top Credit Union Publications & Sources for CU News & Industry Updates Credit union leaders and employees do their best to serve their communities and leverage their expertise to provide fair and equitable financial services to their...

CRE Lending Risk Management: 5 Helpful Steps

October 17-21 is Risk Awareness Week, so there’s no better time for credit unions to reflect on their risk assessment practices for commercial real estate (CRE) lending. This includes what their risk appetite is given the current financial climate. Brianna Vaughan,...

SBA Disaster Loan: Hurricane Ian Relief for Small Businesses

Following the devastation of Hurricane Ian, thousands of small businesses and commercial real estate investors are scrambling to get back to normal and restore operations.  The good news is that the Small Business Administration (SBA) has a program to provide disaster...

“Extensia Financial has provided FAST CU with great LP opportunities which in turn allows us to strategize our balance sheet to best serve our members.”

– Paula Lehn, Chief Executive Officer

FAST Federal Credit Union