Filene Research Institute
Through independent research and innovation, the Filene Research Institute explores issues vital to the future of credit unions and consumer finance.
Earlier this year, we teamed with the Michigan Credit Union League to explore a critical issue facing all consumer finance organizations: home foreclosures. The results of this work were two reports: one which outlined ten policy recommendations to decrease the number of foreclosures and another which focused on the concept of shared-equity loan modifications.
categories » Economic Issues - Credit Unions, Economic Issues - Policy, Research in Motion
We recently released a paper examining the single financial services regulator question . This paper summarized existing research and viewpoints on a hot button issue for the credit union system. On June 17 the U.S. Treasury Department will unveil their regulatory plan which is receiving conflicting reports about the direction this plan will take. There seem to be two distinct possibilities: modest re-organization or massive consolidation of banking regulatory bodies.
categories » Regulation and Deposit Insurance, Research in Motion
Last week, I had the distinct good fortune to attend a gathering of behavioral economists where the call was loud and clear for rethinking financial regulation.
Today, it is commonplace to hear policymakers, industry participants and analysts speak about how our financial services regulatory system has failed us. Recent events have underscored this sentiment with unprecendented actions by the NCUA and the U.S. Treasury. To ensure you are informed about the issues and decisions ahead of us, this report explores the much anticipated reregulation of the financial services sector in the United States with a special focus on the impact a single financial services regulator may have on the credit union system.
categories » Economic Issues - Policy, Life Cycle and Evolution of Credit Unions, Regulation and Deposit Insurance, Safety and Soundness
Ever wonder what’s on the mind of the credit union systems’ leaders? Here’s an unadulterated sampling of the Research Council’s final reflections from the most our most recent meeting earlier this month.
Typically, Filene’s Research Council convenes twice a year to review proposed and soon-to-be released research projects. Considering the times we live in, the Spring Research Council meeting took on an open format with literally no agenda. Using this open approach, we simply posed the question: “What are the future opportunities and challenges for the credit union system?” to a group of progressive, industry leaders.
This project is a continuation of the research we’ve already presented on this topic.
categories » Collaboration, Innovation, Philosophy and Values
Recently I searched the Harvard Business School case study library for a credit union-specific case. To my amazement no such case existed. How could it be that a system which captures upwards of 10% of the consumer finance market is not the subject of an HBS case?
categories » Human Resource Issues, Lending, Marketing, Consumer Behavior and Market Research
At this week’s GAC, NCUA Board Member Rodney Hood mentioined a new idea for credit unions called the American Debt Relief Challenge. He graciously credited Filene for this unique idea; however, this concept is only marginally related to us.
categories » Innovation, Lending, REAL Solutions
In late 2008, the Michigan Credit Union Foundation (MCUF) asked Filene Research Institute to develop a report addressing the impact of the current mortgage foreclosure crisis in Michigan.
categories » Economic Issues - Credit Unions, Economic Issues - Policy, Policy, REAL Solutions, Research in Motion, Safety and Soundness