Cetera bolsters credit union commitment with new council

Seven founding members from Cetera’s credit union partners are coming together in a forum to improve wealth offerings in the sector.

In a strategic move to bolster the wealth management programs of its credit union partners, Cetera Financial Group has announced the establishment of a Credit Union Council under its Cetera Financial Institutions division.

The council, which convened for the first time in early March, aims to foster collaboration and share insights among Cetera’s affiliated credit unions.

It currently comprises seven founding members from various credit unions across the country, including Numerica Credit Union, Meriwest Credit Union, A+ Federal Credit Union, Rogue Credit Union, Langley Federal Credit Union, GTE Financial Credit Union, and Achieva Credit Union.

In a statement, LeAnn Rummel, president and CEO of Cetera Financial Institutions, highlighted the significance of credit unions in the broader financial landscape.

“We are being intentional in helping our credit unions meet the needs of their members through our growing partnerships with them,” she said, emphasizing the council’s role as both a collaborative platform and a barometer to measure Cetera’s effectiveness as a partner.

Aaron Persons, vice president of wealth management for A+ Federal Credit Union, echoed the sentiment of collaboration and growth.

“I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the Credit Union Council’s mission of elevating, enhancing, and empowering credit union investment programs to perform beyond their perceived limitations,” he said.

“By fostering innovation and knowledge-sharing, this initiative underscores our commitment to empowering credit unions to thrive and deliver exceptional value to their members,” added Ian K. Foo, president of Meriwest Wealth Advisors and chair of the new council.

The formation of the Credit Union Council is part of Cetera Financial Institutions’ broader strategy to enhance the wealth management offerings available to credit unions.

It follows on the heels of other recent developments, including its la n dmark strategic partnership with Hawaii State Federal Credit Union and another collaboration with fintech provider Wealth Access, which will let Cetera advisors view their clients’ finances from across several channels.