CUES

Name

CUES

Legal name

Credit Union Executives Society

Website

https://cues.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Executive Education and Leadership Development

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Professional Organizations (81392), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Coaching, Feedback & Mentoring Skills (EDABAMAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Accreditation Standards, Benchmarking & Framework Organizations (EDADACAJ), Employee Recognition, Awards & Incentive (Internal) Events (THAHAIAM)

Keywords

• Credit union leadership
• Executive education
• Board governance
• Professional development
• Membership association

Headquarters

HQ city

Madison

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Tiered membership programs (Individual, Unlimited, Unlimited+) sold to credit unions and their staff/directors. Pricing based on membership type and credit union asset size. Recurring annual revenue.
2. Professional Development Programs: Fee-based leadership programs including Essential Leadership Program ($1,200/seat), Advanced Management Program from Cornell ($8,095-$9,295), and facilitated workshops. One-time or per-cohort revenue.
3. Events and Conferences: Registration fees for conferences including Directors Conference, CUES Symposium, CEO Institute, Governance Leadership Institute. Pricing varies by event and membership status.
4. Supplier Memberships: Vendor membership programs (Supporting $3,900/year, Premier $8,900/year) providing access to credit union decision-makers through directory listings, advertising, and sponsorship opportunities.
5. Products and Tools: Sale of governance tools (Governance Toolkit $3,995-$5,000), compensation surveys, and other supplementary products and resources.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

CUES (Credit Union Executives Society) is a professional membership organization that sells tiered annual memberships and educational programs to credit unions and their executives, directors, HR leaders, and emerging leaders. Core deliverables include leadership development programs delivered through Ivy League partnerships (Cornell, Rotman, Harvard Business Review), governance training and certifications (CCD, CEM designations), an AI-powered learning portal, networking communities, and software tools such as CUES eVote for electronic voting and the CUES Compensation Survey for benchmarking.

Product overview

CUES (Credit Union Executives Society) operates as a membership-based professional development and networking organization for credit union leaders, offering a platform-plus-modules architecture. The core offering is tiered membership (Individual, Unlimited, Unlimited+) that provides access to an integrated ecosystem of products and services. The myCUES Dashboard serves as the central hub, integrating CUES Activity Summary (AI-powered analytics), CUESNet (networking), and CUES Learning Portal (e-learning via NovoEd) alongside Harvard ManageMentor (Harvard Business Review courses), CUES Virtual Classroom (live online training), and Director Education Center. This core learning infrastructure is supplemented by specialized programs including CEO Institute at elite business schools (Wharton, Cornell, Darden), CUES Advanced Management Program from Cornell (9-month C-suite preparation), CUES Emerge (emerging leader competition), and Essential Leadership Program (5-month coaching program). Governance products include CUES Governance Toolkit (5-module learning system), Governance+ (formerly CCUBE, premium director training), Board and Governance Consulting, and CUES Governance Leadership Institute (CCD certification at Rotman School). Event programs span CUES Symposium (CEO/board chair), Directors Conference, Execu/Series, Execu/Net, Execu/Summit, and various seminars. Software offerings include CUES eVote (electronic voting) and CUES Compensation Survey (benchmarking). The portfolio also includes regional CUES Councils, Credit Union Job Board, Supplier Member Directory, and CUES Resource Library. Add-on consulting services are available through CUES Leadership & Organizational Services and CUES Facilitated Workshops.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CU Management: In-depth information publication for credit union leaders
• CUESNet
• CUES Learning Portal
• CUES Emerge
• Essential Leadership Program
• CEO Institute
• Governance Leadership Institute
• CUES eVote

Products and services

• Individual Membership Annual individual subscription providing credit union staff or directors with access to CUES resources, networking, and professional development benefits.
• Unlimited Membership Flat-rate enterprise membership providing every employee at a credit union with access to CUES benefits, learning content, and Harvard ManageMentor courses.
• Unlimited+ Membership Premium enterprise tier expanding Unlimited benefits with Governance+ director education journeys and access to the CUES Compensation Survey.
• Supplier Membership Annual subscription for credit union vendors providing directory listings, advertising, sponsorship, and networking access to 54,000+ credit union decision-makers.
• CUES Advanced Management Program from Cornell University Nine-month live online executive program teaching the eight C-suite roles (CEO, CFO, COO, CMO, CIO, CCO, CRO, CHRO) delivered by Cornell University faculty, awarding the Certified Credit Union Executive Manager (CEM) designation.
• CUES Governance Leadership Institute Intensive in-person governance program at the Rotman School of Management covering AI readiness, cybersecurity oversight, fintech disruption, and negotiation; awards the Certified Credit Union Director (CCD) designation.
• CEO Institute Three-part executive education program held at elite business schools (Wharton, Cornell, Darden) with 30+ years of executive education for credit union CEOs.
• CUES Essential Leadership Program Five-month virtual leadership development program combining self-paced online learning with live coaching sessions to equip emerging leaders with emotional intelligence and executive presence.
• CUES Emerge Premier free emerging leader program serving cohorts of 36 high-potential credit union professionals through live and asynchronous online learning, peer collaboration, mentorship, and a competition component.
• CUES Symposium Premier annual conference focused on strengthening the CEO/board chair partnership through networking and leadership development.
• CUES Directors Conference Annual gathering for credit union directors covering governance and strategy issues with 10 hours of dedicated learning and up to 12 CPE credits.
• Execu/Series, Execu/Net, and Execu/Summit Events Bucket-list destination and high-level networking events combining classroom learning with strategic-issue deep dives and experiential networking opportunities.
• Director Development Seminar In-person seminar covering governance best practices and the four pillars of board excellence for credit union directors.
• Supervisory/Audit Committee Development Seminar In-person seminar elevating committee impact on governance and oversight for supervisory and audit committee members.
• Board Liaison Workshop Workshop providing practical advice on defining the board liaison role and responsibilities, available in online and in-person formats.
• CUES Governance Toolkit Five focused learning modules strengthening boardroom skills covering board communications, committee chairs, director orientations, strategic agendas, and meeting minutes.
• CUES eVote Secure electronic voting and survey software for credit union board elections, mergers, bylaw votes, and membership surveys.
• CUES Compensation Survey Compensation benchmarking service allowing credit unions to compare their compensation data against peers segmented by asset size, region, and membership size.
• Board and Governance Consulting Expert consulting services delivering personalized assessments and strategic recommendations to elevate credit union board governance.
• CUES Leadership & Organizational Services Customized consulting including Org Development Discovery Sessions and Board Discovery Sessions to address organizational challenges and strengthen leadership pipelines.
• CUES Facilitated Workshops Customizable in-person or live online workshops covering self-awareness, leadership adaptability, team dynamics, and conflict styles for credit union team development.

Quantifiable outcome

• 94% of Essential Leadership Program graduates recommend the program
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Harvard Business Review / Harvard ManageMentorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCUES partners with Harvard Business Review to provide Harvard ManageMentor online courses (40+ topics) addressing critical management issues. This is a flagship member benefit included in Unlimited and Unlimited+ memberships, providing Ivy League-quality leadership content to credit union professionals.
• Cornell University / eCornellcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCUES partners with Cornell University's eCornell to deliver the Advanced Management Program - the only credit union-specific executive program designed to cultivate next generation visionary leaders. Faculty from Cornell's top schools teach live online sessions covering eight C-suite roles.
• Joseph L. Rotman School of Management, University of TorontocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCUES partners with the Rotman School of Management to deliver the Governance Leadership Institute - an immersive governance excellence program where attendees earn the Certified Credit Union Director (CCD) designation. Faculty include Rotman's top governance, risk, and innovation experts.
• Currency MarketingmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCUES Emerge program is offered in partnership with Currency Marketing to deliver free, high-impact leadership development to 36 emerging credit union professionals per cohort through live and asynchronous online learning, peer collaboration and mentorship.
• African-American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerAACUC works to increase diversity within the credit union industry through advocacy and professional development. Listed as a DEI partner in CUES DEI Resource Center, supporting diversity initiatives across the credit union movement.
• CU DEI CollectivecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAn expanding group within the Credit Union Movement devoted to furthering DEI - a shared cooperative principle. Partnered with CUES through the DEI Resource Center to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion across the industry.
• Global Women's Leadership Network (GWLN)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerGWLN provides women with opportunity and resources to make a measurable difference in lives of each other, credit union members, and communities. Partnered through CUES Women's Business Network directory.
• CU PrideminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCU PRIDE creates a network and promotes visibility of LGBTQ+ individuals in the credit union industry, provides safe space for communion and discussion, and promotes inclusivity through programs, education, and networking. Partnered through CUES DEI Resource Center.
• Credit Union Women's Leadership Alliance (CUWLA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCUWLA strives to provide impactive support system to address challenges unique to women CEOs of smaller credit unions. Listed as DEI partner in CUES DEI Resource Center.
• Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCCDI helps build a more inclusive Canada by bringing together and supporting people to become change agents through thought leadership, research, education, and action. Partnered through CUES DEI Resource Center for Canadian members.
• ExperianminorGTM or Marketing PartnerExperian is committed to unlocking opportunities and creating a more inclusive tomorrow by helping create paths for reaching marginalized and low-income communities and providing access to financial resources. Partnered through CUES DEI Resource Center.
• TruStagecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTruStage serves as System Partner for CUES Emerge program, supporting the free emerging leader development initiative. Also provides Executive Benefit Solutions as a CUES Supplier member.
• PSCU SankofaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSankofa is committed to building a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace culture through PSCU's African-American professionals, dedicated to driving unparalleled member experiences and increasing business outcomes. Partnered through CUES DEI Resource Center.
• NovoEdcoreTechnology or IntegrationNovoEd powers the CUES Learning Portal for online course delivery, providing the technology platform for engaging, top-notch on-demand online courses and learning journeys.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• ExecOnline: Premium online executive education platform partnering with top business schools to deliver leadership programs to working professionals. Comparable as a vendor of branded executive education, with potential overlap on program content.
• Association of Credit Union Internal Auditors (ACUIA): Specialized credit union association focused on internal audit professionals, offering conferences, certifications, and training. Comparable as a niche, vertical-specific professional association serving a credit union sub-segment.
• Bank Director: Provider of board-level education, conferences, and peer networking for bank executives and directors. Closely comparable to CUES in targeting board governance and executive leadership for financial institution leaders.
• Filene Research Institute: Credit union-focused think tank providing research, benchmarking, and leadership development for credit union executives. Comparable as a knowledge and professional development provider targeting the same buyer personas.

Regional players

• MD|DC Credit Union Association: State-level credit union trade association serving Maryland and D.C. credit unions with advocacy, compliance, and educational programming. Comparable as a regional association offering credit union-specific professional development.
• Cornerstone Credit Union League: Regional credit union trade association serving multiple U.S. states with compliance, training, and professional development offerings. Comparable as a regional trade body providing education to credit union staff and boards.

Direct peers

• CUNA (Credit Union National Association): The largest U.S. credit union trade association, providing advocacy, compliance, and professional development to credit unions. Highly comparable to CUES as a membership-based organization serving the same buyer base, though broader in mandate.
• America's Credit Unions: Formed through the CUNA/NAFCU merger, this is the unified trade association for credit unions providing advocacy and education. Directly competes with CUES in serving credit union executive audiences with overlapping educational programming.
• NAFCU (National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions): Trade association serving federally insured credit unions with advocacy, compliance training, and executive education offerings. Direct competitor to CUES in credit union professional development and governance training.

Broad incumbents

• American Bankers Association (ABA): Largest U.S. banking trade association offering executive education, certifications, and conferences for bank leaders. Highly comparable membership-association model serving a parallel financial vertical.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cues-credit-union-executives-society
• Xx.com/TheRealCUES
• Facebookfacebook.com/therealcues

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CUES