“Members as Co-Creators: Connecting with our Owners” is the theme of CU*SOUTH’s address at the National Coalition of Firefighters Credit Unions Annual Meeting in Nashville this week.

Focused on the needs of credit unions serving firefighters and their families, the Coalition brings together firefighter volunteers and CEOs for four days of networking and education. “Great things happen when firefighters come together. Our face-to-face interaction is the platform where collaboration begins, relationships are forged, and ideas are generated,” says Michael R Tobler, NCOFCU Chairman and CEO of Albany Firemen’s FCU.

“Every time our members come to work, they’re putting their lives on the line,” says Gene Benick, Coalition Treasurer and CEO of Newark Firemen FCU. “We try to bend over backwards for our members… give them the products and services they need, and technology to access these services from anywhere, anytime.”

“We’re taking a look into the future, collaborating with the leading innovators of financial services and technology,” says CU*SOUTH CEO Leo Vaulin. “Our goal is to be ready when a member decides they’re ready to finance a new car or home, or make a purchase using Apple Pay or Android Pay—we need to stay top-of-mind and top-of-wallet. The best way to get there is to involve the member in creating their experience to fit what they want, instead of what some bank decides they should get.”

CU*SOUTH will be presenting its shared vision to Coalition members on Saturday, October 10. “CU*SOUTH is part of a collaborative network of over 500 credit unions who share the vision that credit unions should control the technology and services that drive their success in serving member needs and sustaining economic growth,” says Mr. Vaulin. “We believe in the strength of individual credit union charters, and use financial technology to share the work while growing the bonds between CUs and their members.”