Knowledge
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 do not. Since credit unions for veterans are...
What is a Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO)?
While many might be familiar with credit unions and their purpose, most are not as aware of Credit Union Service Organizations (CUSO), despite there being almost 1000 CUSOs nationwide. CUSOs have been around for decades and while their services are typically specific...
Impact of Fed Rate Cut on Commercial Real Estate Lending
On 18th September 2024, the Federal Reserve (Fed) cut the benchmark interest rate by 50 basis points (bps). This is the first rate cut since 2020, a period in which the Fed hiked interest rate by 525 bps over 11 announcements. This rate cut is announced in response...
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...
How to Respond: The Changing Landscape of Commercial Real Estate Lending
The era of low rates has ended. As a result, the economics of the commercial real-estate industry are changing. Aggressive rate increases from the Federal Reserve have decreased commercial real estate (CRE) lending to its lowest point in nearly a decade. As...
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 AVANA CUSO, 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 fall/winter 2023...
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...
AVANA CUSO’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...
AVANA CUSO 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 AVANA CUSO, we take a uniquely effective approach to client retention. Since 1998, AVANA CUSO 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. We not only...
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
AVANA CUSO 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 for our...
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...
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...
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,...
“AVANA CUSO has provided FAST CU with great LP opportunities which in turn allows us to strategize our balance sheet to best serve our members.”
FAST Federal Credit Union