Tennessee Credit Union League

What Tennessee Credit Union League does

The Tennessee Credit Union League is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association founded in 1934 that provides advocacy, compliance support, education, professional development, HR services, and cooperative services to credit unions in Tennessee. Its core service portfolio includes the TriStar Advocacy Program and Project Zip Code for legislative engagement; InfoSight360, CU Policy Pro, and a toll-free Compliance Hotline powered by AUX for regulatory support; HR Suite Plus and a free HR Hotline through Woods Rogers; the Shared Branch Network providing member access to 5,400+ branches nationwide; FiCEP financial counseling certification; the Southeast Regional Credit Union School; CreditUnionCareer.com for talent recruitment; and CURE Advisors, a retired-executive advisory program. The organization operates without proprietary technology platforms, delivering its services through a network of partnerships with AUX, Woods Rogers, InfoSight, Luminate, CUNA, and America's Credit Unions. Its business model is recurring membership dues paid by member credit unions, supplemented by training program fees (e.g., $924 per FiCEP participant) and event revenue.

On March 18, 2025, the Tennessee Credit Union League and the Mississippi Credit Union Association announced a merger effective on or before December 31, 2025, creating a combined association representing 187 credit unions and 3.5 million members across Tennessee and Mississippi. Fred Robinson (TCUL President/CEO) leads the combined organization, while Charles Elliott (MSCUA President/CEO) serves as Chief Advocacy Officer for Mississippi. The merged entity retains flat dues schedules for both states for a minimum of two years and plans staff expansion rather than reductions. The combined organization is headquartered in Chattanooga with a Mississippi regional office in Jackson, governed by a board drawn from credit union leaders across both states, and participates in the TRGroup consortium of seven state leagues serving 745 credit unions.

The league serves credit unions of all sizes, with specialized programs for small credit unions under $100 million in assets (roundtables, complimentary conference registration, CUNA Staff Salary Report access, CUNA CPD Online) and the Young Professionals Network for emerging industry leaders under 40. Revenue is concentrated in the Tennessee-Mississippi Southeast region, with no disclosed revenue figure but reported organizational assets of $7,780,934 (TCUL, 2023) and $2,954,049 (MSCUA, 2023) per 990 filings.

Name

Tennessee Credit Union League

Legal name

Tennessee Credit Union League

Website

https://yourleague.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1934

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Tennessee Credit Union League is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association, founded in 1934, that delivers advocacy, compliance, HR, education, and shared branching services to credit unions across Tennessee and Mississippi, representing 187 member credit unions and 3.5 million members following its 2025 merger with the Mississippi Credit Union Association.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Credit Union Trade Association Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (813920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Federations/Centrals & Cooperative Banking Networks (2nd-Tier Co-ops) (FSABAEAL)

Keywords

• Credit union advocacy
• Trade association services
• Regulatory compliance support
• Professional development training
• Human resources consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Chattanooga

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual dues from member credit unions fund the association's operations. The Tennessee Credit Union League reported $7,780,934 in assets (2023 990 filing) and the Mississippi Credit Union Association reported $2,954,049 in assets. Both associations' memberships will be integrated into the new combined organization with no immediate changes to either state's dues schedule.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Tennessee Credit Union League is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association representing 187 credit unions across Tennessee and Mississippi (3.5 million members combined). It sells annual membership providing advocacy before federal and state legislators, dedicated compliance support, HR resources, professional development and certification programs, cooperative services such as the Shared Branch Network (5,400+ branches), scholarships, and consulting via retired executive advisors.

Product overview

Tennessee Credit Union League operates as a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association providing a comprehensive suite of member benefits and services to Tennessee credit unions. The portfolio includes advocacy programs (TriStar Advocacy, Project Zip Code), compliance resources (InfoSight360/CU Policy Pro, Compliance Hotline), member services (Shared Branch Network with 5,400+ branches), professional development (FiCEP certification, SRCUS management school), HR solutions (HR Suite Plus, HR Hotline), a job board (CreditUnionCareer.com), consulting (CURE Advisors), and support programs for small credit unions. Following the 2025 merger with Mississippi Credit Union Association, the combined entity now represents 187 credit unions and 3.5 million members.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TriStar Advocacy Program: Grassroots, advocacy, and PAC support program raising influence in Nashville and Washington, DC
• Project Zip Code
• Heritage Ellison Memorial Scholarship Fund
• FiCEP
• HR Suite Plus
• CURE Advisors

Products and services

• TriStar Advocacy Program Grassroots advocacy and political action committee support program enabling credit union staff and members to engage with legislators in Nashville and Washington, DC. Includes a CU Advocates network, payroll deduction for CULAC and the Tennessee State PAC, and coordinated advocacy campaigns on behalf of member credit unions.
• Project Zip Code (PZC) Secure advocacy tool that aggregates credit union member counts and matches them to congressional districts, state legislative districts, and counties. The data is uploaded to CUNA's national Project Zip Code database to amplify federal and state advocacy reach.
• InfoSight360 and CU Policy Pro Compliance Resources Online compliance research and policy platform providing federal and state compliance information, checklists, Bank Secrecy Act resources, and over 200 customizable sample policies designed to meet regulatory standards. A member benefit delivered through the InfoSight partnership.
• Shared Branch Network Cooperative service enabling credit unions to share branches and allowing members to conduct transactions at any participating credit union branch. Provides access to 5,400+ branches nationwide and generates additional fee income for participating credit unions.
• Enhanced Financial Counseling Certification Program (FiCEP) Three-month self-paced certification program training credit union staff to become Certified Credit Union Financial Counselors (CCUFC). Covers financial counseling, taxes, insurance, investments, and retirement planning. Offered jointly with Luminate (Louisiana Credit Union League); priced at $924 per participant including the FiCEP PDF book.
• Southeast Regional Credit Union School (SRCUS) Annual multi-year management school held at the University of Georgia providing curriculum for professional and personal growth of credit union management professionals. Has graduated over 1,100 credit union professionals since 1970.
• HR Suite Plus Real-time employee handbook and policy manual with attorney-reviewed updates covering federal and Tennessee state-specific compliance topics such as remote work, social media, and computer security policies. Provided as a member benefit.
• HR Hotline Free employment law hotline provided in partnership with Woods Rogers. Attorneys provide guidance on ADA, FMLA, FLSA, discipline, diversity, handbooks, and other HR management questions for member credit unions.
• Compliance Hotline Toll-free compliance support hotline (800-572-7359) staffed by the AUX team to assist member credit unions with Bank Secrecy Act, Regulation Z, and other regulatory compliance questions. Provided as a benefit of membership.
• CreditUnionCareer.com Job posting platform built exclusively for credit unions to find and recruit industry talent. Free for League member credit unions.
• CURE Advisors Advisory service leveraging retired credit union CEOs and employees from across the state to provide mentorship to other credit unions. Exemplifies the 'credit unions helping credit unions' philosophy of the cooperative movement.
• Small Credit Union Program (Emerging Credit Union Program) Dedicated program for credit unions with $100 million or less in assets, providing roundtables, the CUNA Staff Salary Report (for credit unions under $50M), CUNA CPD Online (for credit unions under $20M), complimentary conference registration (for credit unions under $10M), and strategic planning assistance.
• Herbert Ellison Memorial Scholarship Fund Scholarship fund established in 1985 providing education and training opportunities for credit union staff and directors from small Tennessee credit unions.
• Annual Trade Association Membership Annual trade association membership bundling advocacy representation, compliance and HR support, professional development, cooperative services (Shared Branch Network), and access to regional chapters. Membership is funded by annual dues paid by member credit unions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Shared Branch Network with 5,400+ branches nationwide
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Mississippi Credit Union Association (MSCUA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 March 2025Merger agreement combining Tennessee Credit Union League and Mississippi Credit Union Association into unified association serving 187 credit unions and 3.5 million members. Effective date on or before December 31, 2025, subject to governing body approvals. Fred Robinson (TCUL President/CEO) leads combined organization; Charles Elliott (MSCUA President/CEO) serves as Chief Advocacy Officer for Mississippi.
• TRGroup (The Raiffeisen Group)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration of seven state leagues utilizing collective strength to bring best-of-class products, services, and service to credit unions at lowest possible cost. Charles Elliott is founding member and current chairman. Goal is to empower credit unions to better serve members, build loyalty, expand market share, realize operational savings, and grow revenue. Serves 745 credit unions across seven states.
• AUX (Compliance Hotline)coreTechnology or IntegrationCompliance Hotline is powered by the team at AUX and is a benefit of membership with the Tennessee Credit Union League. Provides dedicated team to help with compliance questions via toll-free 800-572-7359 option 2.
• Woods RogerscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnership with Woods Rogers employment law firm provides member credit unions access to free HR Hotline. Attorneys help find solutions to workplace issues. Firm ranked Tier 1 by U.S. News & World Report in Employment Law-Management, Labor Law-Management, Litigation-Labor & Employment, and Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law.
• Luminate (Louisiana Credit Union League)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to offer the Enhanced FiCEP (Financial Counseling Certification Program). Tennessee and Mississippi Credit Union Association partners with Luminate to offer the program enabling credit union staff to become Certified Credit Union Financial Counselors.
• InfoSight360coreTechnology or IntegrationLeague partners with InfoSight360 to provide helpful compliance resources for member credit unions. Online tool offers detailed compliance-related information for CEOs, compliance officers, and frontline staff. Web-based resource for federal and state compliance information and over 200 sample policies.
• CU Policy ProcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with CU Policy Pro to provide sample policy manuals. Offers access to over 200 customizable policies designed to meet regulatory standards. Benefit of membership with the Tennessee Credit Union League.
• CUNAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCUNA Staff Salary Report provided for credit unions less than $50 million; CUNA CPD Online provided for credit unions less than $20 million in assets as part of Small Credit Union Program.
• America's Credit UnionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational trade association collaboration. TCUL leadership participates in America’s Credit Unions activities including advocacy committees. Fred Robinson serves on America’s Credit Union Transition Board; Charles Elliott re-elected to board of directors.
• America's Credit Unions (Designations)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFiCEP recertification requires logging into America’s Credit Unions account, going to designations and clicking self-report recertification button. Part of the CUNA Certified Financial Counselor Schools curriculum.
• CreditUnionCareer.comminorGTM or Marketing PartnerJob posting platform built exclusively for credit unions, helping member credit unions find right talent efficiently. Free service to League member credit unions.
• Carolinas LeagueminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSoutheast Regional Directors Conference co-hosted with Carolinas League at Wild Dunes Resort in Isle of Palms, SC (August 2-4, 2026).
• CURE Advisors (Retired Executives)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCURE Advisory Service uses resources of retired credit union chief executives and employees from throughout the state who volunteer to deliver advisory service to other credit unions. Program follows heart of credit union movement and exemplifies 'credit unions helping credit unions'.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Credit Union National Association (CUNA): Now operating as part of America's Credit Unions, CUNA historically provided national advocacy, compliance products, and training (CUNA Staff Salary Report, CUNA CPD Online) that TCUL resells or bundles for Tennessee and Mississippi members.
• America's Credit Unions: National trade association formed from the merger of CUNA and NAFCU. Represents credit unions nationally and at the federal level; overlaps with TCUL on federal advocacy, compliance resources (e.g., CUNA CPD Online, CUNA Staff Salary Report), and certifications.

Direct peers

• Alabama Credit Union League: Alabama's state credit union league offering advocacy, compliance, training, and shared services to its member credit unions. A direct geographic and functional peer in the Southeast US.
• Cornerstone Credit Union League: Multi-state credit union league serving Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Colorado, and New Mexico. Highly comparable to TCUL as a multi-state consolidator that emerged from prior state-league mergers, demonstrating the same growth playbook.
• Mississippi Credit Union Association: State credit union trade association representing Mississippi credit unions (58 institutions serving 750,000+ members). It is TCUL's most direct peer and was merged into TCUL effective on or before December 31, 2025.
• Kentucky Credit Union League: State credit union trade association for Kentucky, providing advocacy, compliance support, and professional development to member credit unions. Comparable in scope and member-service model to TCUL.
• Georgia Credit Union Affiliates: State credit union trade association for Georgia. Sister Southeast league providing advocacy, compliance, training, and member services to Georgia credit unions; co-located in the same competitive geography as TCUL.
• Louisiana Credit Union League (Luminate): Louisiana's state credit union league that partners with TCUL to deliver the FiCEP Financial Counseling Certification Program. Operates a directly comparable member-benefit and advocacy stack for Louisiana credit unions.
• Carolinas Credit Union League: State credit union trade association serving North and South Carolina credit unions. Co-hosts the Southeast Regional Directors Conference with TCUL, indicating comparable advocacy, education, and chapter-based member service offerings.
• Virginia Credit Union League: State credit union trade association representing Virginia credit unions. Provides advocacy, compliance, education, and shared services on a comparable member-benefit model to TCUL.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/tnculeague
• Facebookfacebook.com/TNCUL
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tennessee-sister-society-of-gwln
• Instagraminstagram.com/gwln_tnsistersociety

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries3 records

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 Tennessee Credit Union League