Stronger Together: Celebrating 50+ Years of the Shared Branch Network
By: Ashley Romero, Manager, Product Strategy, VeleraSummary: “What if we shared our branches to serve members better, together?” That simple notion sparked a movement that would redefine credit union service for generations. In this blog post, Ashley Romero, Velera’s Manager of Product Strategy, reflects on 50+ years of the Co-op Shared Branch Network – from its radical origins in 1975 to today’s network of more than 5,550 branches that extend access, share resources and build trust with every member interaction.

Ashley Romero: Ashley Romero is a product strategy leader focused on shaping product direction, modernization and long-term growth across network-focused products. As Manager of Product Strategy, she supports product teams in defining strategic priorities, evaluating market opportunities and strengthening product value through clear alignment and forward-looking vision.
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