State National Companies Partners With Filene Research

State National Companies has joined forces with renowned research firm Filene in a research venture designed to connect credit unions with the most impactful technology and drive forward-thinking business decisions.

Filene’s five Centers of Excellence (CoE) explore topics critical to credit unions, including the most pressing factors they face now and in the future that would impact their ability to serve, excel, and grow.

“Credit unions deal with many of the same issues as any financial institution in today’s complex financial services landscape, but they also face particular challenges and opportunities specific to their unique business model and mission,” said Trace Ledbetter, Executive Vice President at State National. “Filene is the clear leader when it comes to pioneering research that benefits credit unions and I can’t think of a better ally to help us support our credit union partners in successfully managing today’s almost limitless, yet sometimes overwhelming technology options.”

Led by Filene Fellow Bill Maurer, The Center for Emerging Technology studies issues relevant to credit unions and connects credit union leadership and staff with the most impactful technology and consumer trends.

State National has launched several recent initiatives to increase the company’s thought leadership presence in the credit union space, including a 16-member Client Advisory Council and white papers on subjects such as artificial intelligence and risk mitigation strategies for credit unions.

“We have had a core focus on and special relationship with credit unions for almost 50 years, and we’re always looking for new innovations to help them succeed,” said Ledbetter. “We’re very enthusiastic about this opportunity to leverage the latest data and research to help credit unions proactively navigate current technology trends to better serve their members.”

Added Taylor Nelms, Filene’s Senior Director of Research. “The velocity and complexity of technological change today can be confounding, and here at Filene we’re excited to partner with State National to explore the wide-reaching implications of financial technologies — new and old — for credit unions and their members through the Center of Excellence for Emerging Technology. State National has always been committed to simplifying the complex, and with State National’s support, Filene and our research partners at the University of California, Irvine, will be able to connect cutting-edge academic insights and inspiration to real-world impact for credit unions”

About Filene

Filene Research Institute is an independent, consumer finance think tank dedicated to scientific and thoughtful analysis about issues affecting consumer financial wellness, the future of credit unions, and cooperative finance. Founded 30 years ago as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Filene moves credit unions forward with research and incubation support. For more information, visit filene.org and @fileneresearch.

About State National Companies

State National Companies, Inc. is a leading specialty provider of property and casualty insurance services operating in two niche markets across the U.S. In its Lender Services segment, the company specializes in providing portfolio protection solutions that insure autos, mortgages, and other collateral for loans made by credit unions, banks, and specialty finance companies. In its Program Services segment, the company leverages its ”A” (Excellent) A.M. Best rating, expansive licenses, and trusted reputation to provide access to the U.S. property and casualty insurance market in exchange for ceding fees. State National Companies is a division of Markel, a Fortune 500 holding company for insurance, reinsurance, and investment operations. To learn more, please visit statenational.com and connect on LinkedIn.