Wade& and Acumen Financial Advantage Partner to Provide Banks and Credit Unions a Complete Path to Growth
October 29, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BOSTON, Ma., (October 29, 2026) — Wade& and Acumen Financial Advantage (AFA) today announced an intention to partner that will provide financial institutions across the United States with comprehensive solutions for balance sheet growth.
"Growth looks different for every credit union, which is why we take a consultative approach that starts with each institution’s goals, said Erin Allen, VP, Channel Partners, Acumen Financial Advantage. “Our solutions help credit unions strengthen their leadership, put capital to work, and maximize their mission. We look forward to leveraging our partnership with Wade& to continue serving mission-driven institutions."
Wade& helps banks and credit unions leverage their data to drive loan and mortgage growth. Acumen Financial Advantage provides strategic advisory services focused on financial capacity, leadership continuity, and community value. Together, the two firms will give financial institutions one connected path to growth.
Wade&’s Programs:
- Pre-approved lending: Turnkey pre-approved loan and line of credit programs that turn an institution’s own data into targeted offers, driving new loan growth with optimized risk.
- Credit card targeting model: A predictive targeting model that identifies existing and new members or customers, whether they are transactors or revolvers, and matches each to a pre-approved credit card offer.
- Auto loan acquisition program: A white-label auto lending program that lets institutions grow secured, higher-margin personal lending while keeping their brand and relationships, with Wade& providing the end-to-end infrastructure.
AFA’s Solutions:
- Leadership continuity: Tailored executive benefit strategies designed to attract, retain, and align leadership with your organization’s long-term priorities. Through approaches such as Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans (SERPs) and other non-qualified arrangements, we help ensure continuity, stability, and confidence over time.
- Financial capacity: Investment and balance sheet strategies that enhance flexibility and resilience, so institutions can fund strategic priorities over time. Through institutionally priced insurance solutions, structured products, and diversified investment approaches, AFA helps institutions put capital to work more effectively.
- Community value: Strategic giving approaches that align financial strength with mission and community impact. Through solutions such as Charitable Donation Accounts (CDAs) and structured impact programs, AFA helps institutions extend their reach without compromising long-term stability.
"Our clients come to us to grow, and growth depends on more than lending programs," said Nick Wade, Founder & CEO of Wade&. "It depends on keeping strong leaders in place and making the most of the balance sheet. AFA fills that gap. Together, we give credit unions and banks a more complete picture: we help them grow member and customer relationships, and AFA helps them retain the leadership team that drives that growth."
Through the partnership, Wade& and AFA will introduce each other's solutions to their clients, and work together to help institutions align growth, leadership retention and balance sheet strategy.
About Wade&
Wade& helps credit unions and banks turn member and customer data into realized portfolio growth. Through its flagship Dynamic Data Value Realization Program, Wade& delivers pre-approved lending campaigns to existing members and customers, driving loan growth, diversifying the lending mix, and improving net interest margin on a performance-priced model with no upfront capital outlay. Wade& has deployed across more than 40 financial institutions throughout North America. Learn more at wadegroup.ca.
About Acumen Financial Advantage
Acumen Financial Advantage is a financial strategy consultancy serving credit unions, banks, healthcare systems and nonprofits. AFA's work is organized around three focus areas: Financial Capacity, Leadership Continuity, and Community Value. These guide how the firm helps mission-driven organizations reach their most important financial and strategic goals. For more information, visit www.acumenfa.com.
Media Contacts:
Julie Macdonald
Head of Marketing & Communications, Wade&
Marjani Holliday
Director, Communications & Marketing Operations, Acumen Financial Advantage