Through independent research and innovation, the Filene Research Institute explores issues vital to the future of credit unions and consumer finance.


Filene's Ideas Grow Here

  1. Crash the GAC 2012: It’s On.

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    First thing’s first: To Crash the GAC, potential crashers need to act soon. Applications are due Friday, Feb 3rd. Apply now at http://www.crashthegac.com.

    Now, onto the good stuff.

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  2. Lunch with Ed

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    categories » Podcasts and Videos

  3. Pilot Project Opportunity – Limited Space

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    Filene recently met an amazing group of entrepreneurs working on an innovation near and dear to our hearts:prized-linked savings. This group, called SaveUp, is partnering with us to pilot their project with15 lucky credit unions…you will need to act fast as we expect this opportunity to go fast.

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  4. Welcome to Jason Milesko, Filene’s New Chief of Advisory Services

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    It’s like clockwork … the sunrise … Old Faithful. Every three-and-a-half weeks, without fail, we’ll get a call at the Filene office from a longtime member. It usually goes like this, “I love Filene research, and I just got your latest report. It’s really good research, and I love it. (Did I mention that I love it?) But what do I do with it?”

    Now we have somewhere to route those calls.

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  5. Global Trends: Drivers, Values, and Strategic Questions for Credit Unions

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    Every business leader is forced to wrestle with the prospect of what’s next. This report looks beyond the next few years at four scenarios that are possible next steps beyond the Great Recession.

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    categories » Economic Issues - Credit Unions, Strategy, Sustainability

  6. Credit Union Market Niches: Social and Demographic Opportunities

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    What does this mean for you? Click here to register for a February 9 (1:30 PM ET) webinar with the authors.

    Credit unions that want to juice membership growth face a limited set of options. If the field of membership is not broad enough, the credit union can petition to change it and serve new groups. Often the field of membership is expansive enough, so the challenge becomes how to approach new members of a group that will complement the credit union and allow it to grow.

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    categories » Market Structure and Field of Membership, Marketing, Consumer Behavior and Market Research, Strategy, Young Adults and Families

  7. Drops of Jupiter: CU Armageddon

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    As 2012 begins the superstitious among us may be worried about ancient Mayan predictions of armageddon. Credit unions have heard it all before. In my short 32 years on this planet the years 1989, 1998, and 2008 also (supposedly) signaled the end of days for financial institutions of all shapes and sizes.

    Alas, we are still here.

    Still, it is easy to look at economic data and conclude that the Mayans may have been onto something. The optimist in me, however, suggests that financial institutions should be more concerned about another ancient myth: the story of Philemon and Baucis.

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    categories » Philosophy and Values

  8. Filene Field Trips: Escaping the Cul-de-Sac for the Autobahn

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    Credit unions operate in a veritable cul-de-sac of ideas, information, processes, and talent. This is the safest, most comfortable neighborhood in the business world; a cooperative, collaborative, friendly, and safe place to develop and share ideas. We couldn’t imagine working anywhere else.

    As comfortable as we are, however, the Filene Research Institute is constantly looking outside this cul-de-sac to find answers to pressing problems. Connecting credit unions to thought leaders in academia, business, and industry is critical to helping us progress as a system. Trips to the autobahn are exhilarating, exhausting, and essential. We want you to join us.

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    categories » Collaboration, Innovation

  9. What we’re reading, the holiday edition

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    Mixed into the whirl of travel and the pleasant hum of family this holiday season, we hope you have a little time to read. And to think. If you need some ideas (I won’t be so bold as to say inspiration), here’s what’s on our reading lists:

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  10. Potential vs. Kinetic Energy

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    categories » Philosophy and Values, Podcasts and Videos