Awardees range from facilitating lending to streamlining compliance

NAFCU Services has named the newest winners of their annual Innovation Awards. The awards program recognizes companies making the most valuable and innovative contributions to credit union success, including groundbreaking advancements in technology, software, digital media, campaigns, and more.

“What’s so impressive about this year’s Innovation Award winners is the great range of their solutions, all of which contribute tremendously to the advancement of the credit union community,” NAFCU Services President Randy Salser observed. “We thank them for their support of credit unions and applaud them for their optimism, ingenuity, and action. Congratulations to all!”

The 2021 Innovation Award Winners, as decided by a panel of independent judges, are:

Allied Solutions | Refund Plus

Streamlines and manages the entire product cancellation and refund process with automated file transmission and review, reporting and data analytics, validation of refund amount – tolerance acceptance, and more. This provides a lower-cost, efficient, and member-centric solution for risk and liability mitigation, reporting, and auditing of cancellations and refunds.

Blend | Digital Lending Platform

From applying for and closing on a mortgage to opening a new checking account or securing an auto loan - members demand an easy omnichannel experience every step of the way. With Blend, credit unions can be there for their members' major financial moments.

CUNA Mutual Group | Stronger Together

A platform to demonstrate CUNA Mutual Group’s passion and commitment to helping people (employees, customers, partners, and communities) stay healthy and safe during times of crisis and well beyond. With one strong message, this campaign helped bring a sense of calm to an otherwise chaotic situation.

DDJ Myers | Virtual Emerging Leaders Program

The program provides emerging leaders with the learning, community, and tools necessary to cultivate, nurture and act on their potential as rising executives. The award-winning Emerging Leaders Program had been delivered annually since 2013; due to the global pandemic and continued high demand, the program was redesigned to be exclusively delivered virtually.

DefenseStorm | CyberFraud

The only fraud defense solution built for banking to deliver complete cyber safety and soundness to its credit union customers. It provides an integrated solution for Information Security and BSA/AML Fraud departments in a single platform.

FIS | Premium Payback

A fully integrated loyalty platform designed to address the retailer's need to acquire more members and the financial institution's need for their card to be "top-of-wallet" by letting the consumers utilize their reward benefits on everyday spend without friction or hassle.

Velocity Solutions | Account Revenue Solution™

Allows credit unions to leverage big data and digital strategies to more successfully onboard new accounts, engage members, boost transactional activity and encourage cross-selling with the goal of increasing a CU's non-interest income and to establish the credit union as their members' primary financial institution.

Wolters Kluwer | TSoftPlus

Enables PPP loan forgiveness applications with digital tools such as e-signature functionality that advances lenders' capabilities and eliminates the need for in-person PPP transactions. Wolters Kluwer's acquisition in later 2020 of eOriginal, which offers a digital loan platform that enables SBA electronic signature for digital loans, further enhanced the solution's capabilities.

“Our 2021 Innovation Awards winners address a variety of needs credit unions grapple with every day,” Salser added. “They truly understand credit unions’ obstacles, competition, and opportunities to help them grow.”

To see exciting demonstrations from these winning companies and others, along with keynote sessions and expert interviews on the latest in credit union innovation, register for the 2021 Innovation Spotlight event on July 28th at www.nafcu.org/innovation2021.

About NAFCU Services

As part of the National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions, NAFCU Services provides funding, educational content, and a portfolio of trusted and vetted Preferred Partners. For 40+ years, we’ve served credit unions across the country. Our team of partners delivers groundbreaking ideas and next-gen solutions, enabling credit unions to compete, change the status quo, and grow their institutions. For more information, visit our website and follow us on Twitter.

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