Celebrating CUSOs Series: Supporting Credit Union Members Through Their Financial Journey
At One Washington Financial, we believe credit unions exist to help members live better financial lives. That's why every investment we make answers a simple question: how does this help real people?
To us, measuring impact means not just the ROI to the credit union, but to the member - the single mom wondering how she'll pay for childcare, the retiree trying to decode Medicare, or the small business owner who needs capital yesterday.
Here's how our investments support members at every stage of their financial journey.
-
Financial Hardship: Members struggling to make ends meet
For members living paycheck to paycheck, unexpected expenses can spiral into crisis. Many don't realize there's help available: billions in government benefits go unclaimed every year simply because people don't know they qualify.
Starlight changes that. The platform connects credit union members to local, state, and federal assistance programs: SNAP, Medicaid, childcare subsidies, utility assistance, and more. On average, qualifying households discover $1,000–$3,000 per year in benefits they didn't know existed.
Member Impact:
Access to $140 billion in unclaimed government benefits nationwide
Average savings of $1,000–$3,000 per year per qualifying household
Help with food costs, healthcare, childcare, and utility bills
AI-powered guidance through complex application processes
Reduced financial stress and improved stability
-
Drowning in Debt: When members need a path back
Life happens, and sometimes repaying debt feels impossible. Traditional debt collection is designed to maximize recovery, not to help people rebuild. Members are written off, sold to debt buyers, and left with wrecked credit and no way forward.
Remynt offers a different approach. Instead of fear-based tactics, Remynt gives members dignity: flexible repayment on their terms, financial literacy tools, and the opportunity to rebuild their credit score with every payment. For credit unions, it transforms a write-off into an opportunity to bring a member back into the fold.
Member Impact:
Flexible, self-service repayment plans that fit their budget
Credit rebuilding with every payment
No aggressive collection calls or intimidating tactics
Financial literacy tools and community support
A real path back to financial health and credit access
-
Ready to Build Wealth: When members want to learn but don't know where to start
Many members never had anyone teach them about money. They’re intimidated by overwhelming guidance or aren’t sure what applies to their situation. Lack of financial confidence can hold members back from taking financial action, even with foundational money moves.
Penny Finance meets them where they are. It's a financial planning platform that provides personalized guidance on debt, investing, and retirement. The results speak for themselves: members using Penny save an additional $450 per month, reduce debt repayment by an average of five years, and grow their wealth significantly over time.
Member Impact:
Personalized financial plans tailored to individual goals
Average additional savings of $450 per month
Debt repayment reduced by an average of 5 years
Judgment-free guidance on investing, debt, and retirement
-
Starting to Save: When members want to build the habit
Many members want to save but struggle to get started. Setting aside money feels hard when budgets are tight, and traditional savings accounts don't make it exciting or rewarding. Meanwhile, members who want to give back to causes they care about often can't find room in their budget for that either.
Spiral makes saving automatic and meaningful. The platform rounds up everyday purchases and directs the spare change into savings — or charitable donations. Members build wealth without thinking about it, one coffee purchase at a time. For those who want to give, Spiral connects their values to their spending, letting them support causes they care about with every swipe.
Member Impact:
Automatic roundups turn everyday spending into savings
Save without changing spending habits or lifestyle
Option to direct roundups toward charitable giving
Support causes that matter with every purchase
Build an emergency fund or savings cushion effortlessly
Make saving a habit, not a chore
-
Approaching Retirement: When members face the biggest financial decisions of their lives
After decades of work, members approaching retirement are flooded with questions. When should I claim Social Security? How does Medicare work? Will my money last? Most don't have access to a financial advisor, and the stakes couldn't be higher.
Silvur simplifies retirement. The platform offers personalized tools and education for members 50+, helping them navigate Social Security timing, Medicare enrollment, and retirement budgeting. Silvur's proprietary Retirement Score tells members exactly how long their money will last - down to the year and month. Credit unions using Silvur deepen relationships with the members who hold the most assets, right when it matters most.
Member Impact:
Personalized Retirement Score showing exactly how long money will last
500+ educational lessons on Social Security, Medicare, and taxes
Optimized Social Security claiming strategies (timing can mean tens of thousands of dollars)
Medicare enrollment guidance and plan comparison
Cost-of-living calculators based on where they live
-
Tapping Home Equity: When members need funds and speed matters
Home equity is one of the most powerful financial tools available to members - for renovations, education, or debt consolidation. But the traditional process is painfully slow. Six weeks of paperwork. Endless back-and-forth. Members get frustrated and go elsewhere.
Coviance fixes this. The platform automates home equity lending so credit unions can go from application to close in hours, not weeks. Members get their funds fast, and credit unions compete with fintechs on speed without sacrificing the personal touch.
Member Impact:
Loan approval in hours instead of weeks
Streamlined digital application process
Real-time status updates throughout the process
Access to home equity for renovations, education, or debt consolidation
Lower rates than credit cards or personal loans for consolidation
Stay with their trusted credit union instead of going to a big bank
-
Growing a Small Business: When entrepreneurs need capital to thrive
Small businesses are the backbone of local economies, but they're chronically underserved by traditional lenders. Credit unions want to help, but manual underwriting makes small business loans costly and slow. Meanwhile, predatory lenders circle with sky-high rates.
Ranqx levels the playing field. The digital lending platform uses real-time financial data to decision small business loans in under five minutes. Credit unions can finally serve the $1.4 trillion SMB working capital market, helping local businesses grow while keeping lending in the community.
Member Impact:
Business loan decisions in under 5 minutes, not weeks
Fair rates from their credit union instead of predatory alternatives
Access to working capital when banks say "you're too small"
-
Shopping Local: When members want to support their community
Members want to shop local, but it's not always easy. Big retailers dominate with convenience and discounts, while small businesses struggle to reach new customers. Members end up spending money at chains when they'd rather support the bakery down the street.
Goodbuy bridges the gap. The platform creates a credit union-branded marketplace that connects members to local businesses — with exclusive discounts. Small business owners get exposure to thousands of potential customers they couldn't reach on their own. Members save money while keeping dollars in their community. It's a win for everyone.
Member Impact:
Discover local businesses they didn't know existed
Up to 20% savings at participating shops and restaurants
Keep money circulating in the local economy
Support neighbors and small business owners
Easy access through their credit union's app
Feel good about where their money goes
-
Falling Behind on Payments: When life throws a curveball
Even responsible members sometimes fall behind. A missed payment can spiral into delinquency if not handled with care. Traditional collections approaches strain relationships and often fail to recover funds.
AKUVO brings intelligence to collections. The AI-powered platform helps credit unions identify at-risk members early, prioritize outreach, and preserve relationships while improving recovery rates. One credit union reduced delinquency by $363,000 in a single month after implementing the platform.
Member Impact:
Early outreach before small problems become big ones
Personalized solutions based on their specific situation
Respectful communication that preserves dignity
Flexible options to get back on track
Relationship preserved with their credit union
Avoid the spiral of fees, penalties, and credit damage
-
Building Wealth Through Investing: When members want their money to work harder
Many members have savings sitting idle in checking accounts. They know they should invest, but they don't trust random apps, and they wish their credit union offered something. Until now, most credit unions couldn't compete with direct-to-consumer investment platforms.
TAPP Engine changes that. The WealthCabinet® platform gives credit unions white-labeled self-directed investing, automated advice, and financial literacy tools - all embedded in digital banking. Members can start investing with as little as $50, learning as they go, with an institution they already trust.
Member Impact:
Start investing with as little as $50
Self-directed and automated investing options
Fractional shares make any stock accessible
Financial literacy tools to learn as they go
Practice investing features to build confidence
All within their trusted credit union's app
The Journey Continues
Every member's financial journey is different. Some are just trying to survive; others are building generational wealth. Most will experience many of these stages over a lifetime, making it important for a credit union to provide comprehensive solutions.
Are you a founder building something amazing to improve credit union members’ financial lives? Fill out the form below.
One Washington Financial is a Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO) wholly owned by Washington State Employees Credit Union (WSECU). Our mission is to identify and invest in early-stage companies that benefit credit union members and the industry.
