SEATTLE— The GoWest Credit Union Association is making a $200,000 investment to expand its Small Credit Union Accelerator Program, an initiative aimed at helping credit unions with assets under $250 million strengthen operations, grow membership, and navigate rising regulatory and competitive pressures.
Announced in October, the program focuses on coaching, leadership development, strategic differentiation, marketing support, and targeted training resources. Content will be available throughout 2026, with a Small Credit Union Advisory Council overseeing performance and determining which initiatives can be scaled across the region.
GoWest leaders say the program builds on years of collaboration with smaller institutions while increasing advocacy and regulatory engagement.
“As the operating environment becomes increasingly demanding, the Accelerator Program will not only support credit union strategy and operations, but will help turn up the volume on the advocacy and regulatory relief needed,” said Troy Stang, president and CEO of GoWest Credit Union Association.
The association pointed to recent policy and regulatory developments it says benefit small credit unions, including a 2026 NCUA operating fee reduction, principles-based regulatory proposals, improved exam efficiency, removal of NSF/ODP data from Call Reports, preservation of the federal credit union tax structure, and House-passed legislation to reduce required board meetings. Additional advocacy efforts include defending the CDFI program and supporting increased FY’27 funding.
Across six GoWest states, 159 small credit unions serve nearly 830,000 members. Those institutions originated roughly $7.6 billion in loans last year, supporting home purchases, auto lending, small business formation, and other consumer financial needs. The expanded Accelerator Program is intended to strengthen those institutions’ operational capacity while keeping them engaged in legislative and regulatory policy.