Wayzata, MN (October 15, 2024)– Nook, a Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO) and pioneer of niche experiences, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Kirk Drake as its newest Strategic Advisor. With decades of experience in financial technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation, Kirk brings a wealth of knowledge to help Nook continue its rapid growth and expansion.
In this advisory role, Drake will partner with Nook’s leadership team to harness emerging technologies and craft innovative strategies that help credit unions deepen member relationships and thrive in an evolving financial landscape. With 25 years of experience in digital transformation and technology integration for credit unions, Drake is uniquely qualified to help Nook expand its Niche Experience Platform and enhance its service offerings.
“Nook’s vision of reimagining credit unions through personalized member experiences resonates deeply with my own passion for innovation in financial services, and I’m honored to join Nook as a Strategic Advisor,” said Kirk Drake. I look forward to working with the team to create solutions that engage members, drive growth, and prepare credit unions for the future.”
As a lifelong entrepreneur, Kirk Drake has built eight successful businesses, including CU 2.0, Painted Hills, CU Wallet, and the CUSO Ongoing Operations. Drake is widely recognized for his role as the founder of CU 2.0, a digital consultancy and marketing agency with a mission to increase credit union market share through fintech partnerships. He is also the author of Credit Union 2.0: A Guide to Helping Credit Unions Compete in the Digital Age and FinAncIal: Helping Financial Services Executives Prepare for an Artificial World. With a career dedicated to modernizing financial institutions, Drake brings insight that will be instrumental in Nook’s efforts to empower credit unions to offer niche experiences that facilitate member loyalty and engagement.
“Kirk brings invaluable experience and insight to Nook’s Strategic Advisory Board,” said Austin Wentzlaff, Co-Founder & CEO of Nook. “I’ve had the pleasure of working with Kirk in a variety of different capacities over the last decade and can confidently say he’s one of the best innovators in the credit union industry. We look forward to adding his innovative mind to Nook!"
Drake’s appointment comes at a pivotal time as Nook continues delivering niche experiences to broaden its footprint across the credit union industry. His forward-thinking approach to fintech, strategic planning, and business development will be a tremendous asset as Nook continues harnessing new opportunities and maintaining its leadership in providing personalized, relationship-based banking experiences.
About Nook
Nook is Bringing Relationship-Based Banking Back with a first-of-its-kind platform designed to empower credit unions to provide niche experiences to their members. Nook’s Niche Experience Platform builds deep trust and loyalty with core member groups by leveraging a niche lifestyle engagement model that doesn't require a new brand, website, or technology stack. This enables credit unions to offer a fresh perspective, encouraging more frequent member engagement and empowering credit unions to “sell without selling” by allowing members to envision the practicality, relevance, and positive impact that credit union solutions have on their lives. With Nook, credit unions are able to increase engagement, trust & loyalty, share of wallet, and profitability.