CU*SOUTH CEO Bob West named among Powered Magazine's top fintech leaders

Powered Magazine named CUSOUTH CEO Bob West to its 25 Outstanding Fintech Leaders of 2026 list, recognizing executives shaping financial technology. The honor highlights CUSOUTH’s growth, its credit union performance metrics and West’s role in expanding the CUSO’s technology and services.

Why it matters: - Powered Magazine’s recognition puts CUSOUTH and its CEO in a broader fintech spotlight. - The honor also underscores how credit union technology providers are being judged by measurable member-growth and performance outcomes. - CUSOUTH’s client credit unions posted stronger 2025 results than national peers in key operating metrics.

What happened: - Powered Magazine named CUSOUTH CEO Bob West to its 25 Outstanding Fintech Leaders of 2026 list. - The editorial board selected 25 honorees from 2,700 profiles. - West ranked seventh on the 2026 list. - Honorees included leaders from Revolut, Rapyd and TIFIN. - CUSOUTH announced the recognition on Aug. 13, 2026.

The details: - CUSOUTH is a 100% credit union-owned credit union service organization that provides core software solutions, essential services and collaborative partnerships for credit unions. - West has more than 25 years of experience in financial services and credit unions. - Before CUSOUTH, West served as executive vice president and chief information officer at Members 1st Federal Credit Union. - West also served as vice president of client operations management at Fiserv from 2013 to 2018. - West is a United States Air Force veteran. - West became CEO of CUSOUTH on June 15, 2022. - Under West’s leadership, CUSOUTH expanded its collaborative network, core technology offerings and Essential Services. - CUSOUTH also strengthened its financial position during West’s tenure. - CUSOUTH has delivered positive returns to shareholders throughout West’s time as CEO. - The organization’s total income has nearly doubled over the past five years. - Gross profit has increased 125% over the same period. - West leads Visionary, CU*SOUTH’s annual credit union conference focused on strategy, technology and community building. - Visionary 2027 is scheduled for April 26–28, 2027, at Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Florida. - The complete list of honorees is available on Powered Magazine's website.

Between the lines: - The award reflects a growing emphasis on fintech leaders who can show operational results, not just product innovation. - CUSOUTH is using the recognition to reinforce a broader story about growth, resilience and client performance. - Callahan & Associates Peer Suite Analytics showed CUSOUTH clients outperformed peers among U.S. credit unions under $350 million in assets in 2025. - CUSOUTH client credit unions grew membership 2.18%, while national peers declined 0.45%. - CUSOUTH clients grew loans 4.77%, roughly double the 2.35% growth of peers. - CUSOUTH clients recorded a 0.88% return on assets, compared with 0.77% for peers. - West said the recognition belongs to the CUSOUTH team and the credit union partners that trust the organization with their technology and futures.

What's next: - CUSOUTH will continue promoting Visionary as a key annual gathering for credit union leaders. - Visionary 2027 is the next scheduled company event and will bring together credit union leaders in Orlando. - CUSOUTH will likely keep leaning on technology expansion and client performance as proof points for its growth story.

The bottom line: - West’s placement on Powered Magazine’s 2026 list gives CU*SOUTH external validation at a time when the company is pointing to stronger growth, broader services and better client outcomes.