CUNA Mutual Group announced today that it is launching a new advisory service to help credit unions jumpstart their diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. DEI Services will offer credit unions the opportunity to work directly with CUNA Mutual Group’s DEI staff and advisors to assess current DEI efforts and guide a plan to activate or accelerate them, with each plan tailored to the credit union’s specific needs and resources, according to CUNA Mutual Group. 

DEI Services is built on a “holistic,” three-pillar approach to DEI with equity at the center of all efforts, according to CUNA Mutual Group, which cited that 61% of new credit union growth comes from multicultural consumers. Through the service, credit unions will explore three key areas for DEI efforts: 

• Workforce: Create an inclusive and equitable experience for staff to thrive and view business operations through a DEI lens. 
• Marketplace: Understanding the financial needs of your existing membership and identifying opportunities to better serve members and potential members through an informed multicultural business strategy. 
• Community: Building on the shared credit union mission to improve financial well-being for all through community engagement and investment. 

“We believe DEI is central to who we are and critically important for our industry,” said Angela Russell, chief diversity officer for CUNA Mutual Group. “The credit union system is built on the idea of ‘people helping people,’ and we cannot make that founding principle true for all without DEI at the forefront. We are excited for the opportunity to work with more credit unions and our partners in the credit union movement to advance DEI.”