Blog Single Author Small

Credit union conferences offer a litany of benefits to even the most seasoned CU professionals. At AVANA CUSO, we’re personally drawn to how they inspire our industry to do better and be better. In addition, they arm us with toolboxes to do so. 

The fall/winter 2023 credit union conference line-up is stacked with industry-leading keynote speakers, noteworthy demonstrations, cutting-edge tech and impressive venues across the country. These upcoming conferences are where credit union professionals can expand their networks and learn about the latest developments in our field to better serve members and the surrounding community. 

Money 20/20

Where: The Venetian Resort (Las Vegas, Nevada)

When: October 22-25, 2023

Why: This event provides credit union leaders and other professionals from across the industry with important analytics and networking opportunities. The conference’s goal is to help you innovate and transform in the ways needed to stay ahead in today’s evolving financial marketplace. 

Money 20/20 focuses on providing critical insights into what’s next in the finance world, including conversations on policy, financial services and more. The hosts promise over 60 hours of invaluable content on the hottest topics on financial innovation, with keynote speakers including the COO of Citi, the CMO/CCO of Mastercard, the commissioner of the SEC, a former FDIC chairman and others.

Register here for Money 20/20. 

CU Intersect Conference

Where: The Hyatt Regency (Newport Beach, California)

When: October 30-November 1, 2023

Why: This conference highlights the intersection of resiliency, security and technology for credit unions. The event will cover the latest security developments and defensive strategies available to credit unions. Leaders who want to learn about how to protect their organizations and their members in the digital age are encouraged to attend this event. 

CU Intersect will include keynote sessions from subject matter experts and panel discussions on the most pertinent information security topics impacting the industry. Attendees will also be able to take part in impactful breakout sessions and meet premier security solutions vendors. 

Register here for CU Intersect. 

NAFCU’s Lending Conference

Where: The Westin New Orleans (Louisiana)

When: November 7-9, 2023

Why: NAFCU’s Lending Conference arms credit unions with the knowledge and resources to “push through the years ahead in as strong a position as possible.” More specifically, it caters to CU management and employees focused on lending, e-commerce and business development.  

This must-attend conference delivers a robust education on the latest trends in products and services, best lending practices, fintech solutions, marketing opportunities, and growth strategies and tactics for building an overall resilient credit union and portfolio. 

Register here for NAFCU’s Lending Conference 

Filene Research Institute’s big.bright.minds.

Where: The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa (Scottsdale, Arizona)

When: December 4-6, 2023

Why: This event is keenly focused on innovation for forward-thinking credit unions and their leaders. The main topic at this year’s event is a credit union’s network and how CUs can leverage their cooperative model to foster sustainable growth for the organization.

The Filene Research Institute will use the event to showcase its latest research and insights to help credit unions strategically, thoughtfully and positively impact their members. 

Register here for big.bright.minds. 2023. 

About Avana CUSO

Established in 1998 and headquartered in Simi Valley, CA, AVANA CUSO is one of the most seasoned credit union service organizations (CUSO) focused on commercial real estate lending, including competitive, flexible renewable energy loans. For decades, we have partnered with credit unions across the country to offer competitive and collaborative CRE loans. We also uniquely support and guide our partners through the entire lifecycle of our loans. Avana CUSO is a proud member of the AVANA Family of Companies.

Contact us today to learn more about becoming an Avana CUSO partner.

Peoria, Ariz. (November 17, 2022)— AVANA Companies (AVANA), a family of lending and investment platforms dedicated to supporting small businesses and preserving wealth, is celebrating 20 years of making a positive impact for and through their customers. Brothers Sundip and Sanat Patel founded AVANA with a vision to provide entrepreneurial capital to disadvantaged business owners. With a mission of ‘Capital for a Better Tomorrow,’ AVANA’s global teams build custom loans and investment opportunities that create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and contribute to clean energy initiatives. Since 2002, the team at AVANA has managed over $1.3 billion in assets, created over 10,000 jobs, and helped hundreds of businesses flourish.

“Many of our customers are entrepreneurs who started the same way my brother and I did. They are immigrants who have a clear vision and a strong belief in the American dream that anyone can succeed, but they need financial support,” said Sundip Patel, CEO and co-founder of AVANA. “We know firsthand the entrepreneurial grit that it takes to overcome obstacles, so we built a compassionate team of problem solvers who are invested in supporting our customers’ needs.”

The AVANA Family of Companies includes AVANA Capital and AVANA CUSO Credit Union, which connect small business owners across 39 states with access to private capital in industries such as commercial real estate, hospitality, renewable energy, and cannabis. The LendThrive™ platform provides short term, fixed rate loans in about 24 hours, while AVANA’s newest service, called EqualSeat™, offers fractional investment opportunities with institutional investors and accredited individual investors.

“As we reflect on our 20-year journey it’s not about the success of the company, but rather the shared success of the people who work at AVANA. Their dedication is the reason we are here today,” said Sanat Patel, co-founder and Chief Lending Officer at AVANA. “The team at AVANA inspires one another and we hold ourselves accountable to stay true to our values of putting people first, doing the right thing, and making a positive impact on our world.”

The Patel brothers also give credit for the company’s recent growth to their in-house technology experts that streamlined processes and built secure platforms that solve the unique needs of small business owners and brokers, as well as banking partners and investors seeking socially driven alternative investments.

“In the last five years, AVANA Companies has undergone a digital transformation that enabled us to expand our mission and launch new services to reach more people,” said Anish Dhanjee, Sr. Product Manager at AVANA. “Today, we are working on new technologies to democratize the lending and investment process to make it easy for anyone, anywhere around the globe to benefit, especially those in underserved communities.”

“Many of the entrepreneurs we serve, like restaurant and hotel owners, work hard and create jobs that benefit the community, but they are unable to get financial support,” said Matt Hunt, Chief Credit Officer at AVANA. “That’s why one of our key focus areas has been hospitality construction loans, as banks tend to shy away from this market because it can be volatile, as evidenced during the pandemic.”

At a time when other companies were contracting due to the uncertainties of the pandemic, the Patel brothers saw opportunity. They acquired a Credit Union Service Organization, bought a community bank and secured an SBA license, and began serving new industries like renewable energy. AVANA also made the 2021 Inc. 5000 List of fastest growing companies and grew its staff to 60 people working in the U.S., Canada, Philippines, India, and at the company’s Bahrain office.

“We are celebrating 20-years of service to our customers because AVANA is driven by an entrepreneurial spirit and energy. We will continue for another 20 years because we constantly adapt by developing new technologies and services to better support our customers and our team,” said Brianna Vaughan, EVP Operations at AVANA CUSO.

“AVANA’s name means to protect and to preserve and Sundip and Sanat take that responsibility to their employees and their customers very seriously,” said Lori Bernhardt, Administrative Office Assistant.

About AVANA Companies:

The AVANA Family of Companies (AVANA) is dedicated to stimulating local economies and contributing to clean energy development across the United States. Founded in 2002 by brothers Sundip and Sanat Patel, it is a family of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) lending and investment platforms that serve entrepreneurs and investors. AVANA’s ESG lending is done through AVANA Capital, LendThrive™, and AVANA CUSO and ESG investments through AVANA Fund and EqualSeat™. The company’s goal is to empower American small businesses by providing ESG-focused loans and investment opportunities that are impactful, socially driven and preserve wealth. AVANA is headquartered in Arizona and serves small business owners and investors across the United States and globally. AVANA invests in the communities it serves, creating jobs, stimulating economic growth and contributing to sustainable projects. AVANA was named to the 2021 Inc. 5000 List of America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies. AVANA Capital, LLC is licensed in California under DBO license number 603K752 and in Arizona under CBK license number 0921662. To learn more, visit www.avanacompanies.com or follow AVANA Companies on LinkedIn.

 # # #

For media inquiries, please contact:

Laura Slawny
10 to 1 Public Relations
480-868-9423

laura@10to1PR.com

Rachael Clifford
10 to 1 Public Relations
480-519-3070
rachael@10to1pr.com