150–180 credit unions merge each year. Only about 4 start. If we do not plant new CUs, the “forest” thins and communities are left with payday lenders and predatory options.In our first guest episode, Shirley Senn (New Orleans Firemen’s FCU, “Shirley on the Street”) joins Stef Luck and Michael Poucher to unpack why de novo credit unions matter, what is blocking them, and how partnerships can keep small CUs not just open, but thriving.In this Episode:The forest metaphor, why mature CUs need new growth to sustain the ecosystemWhy starting is hard, clear merger playbooks vs. messy de novo pathsIt takes a village, mentors, partners, capital, tech, and executive training from day oneCommunity impact, what happens when a town has no CU and only payday or title lendersPricing and scale, creative models vendors can use to serve small and boutique CUsTalent and succession, building pipelines, fractional leadership, and junior boardsCooperation over competition, regional collaboratives and shared services that workThe real risk, “Our issue is not taxation, it is relevancy.” How to stay relevant and compelling to the next generationIf this conversation resonated, share it with a colleague, and join us inside the Sales Unmuted community where we turn conversations into playbooks. Because the real work starts after the pitch.Connect with Shirley:Shirley Senn on LinkedInEmail: ⁠[email protected]⁠ (New Orleans Firemen’s FCU)

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