AVANA CUSO, a Glendale-based credit union service organization specializing in commercial real estate lending, was named a finalist in the 2025 Credit Union Times Luminaries Awards in two categories: Executive Leadership and Product Innovation.

AVANA CUSO received the honors for its commitment to providing credit unions with educational resources and innovative technology that simplifies loan participation processes.

The dual recognition highlights AVANA CUSO's focus on empowering credit unions through its Participation Desk platform and educational webinar series. The Participation Desk transforms how credit unions evaluate and track loan participations, while the webinar series equips credit union professionals with strategies to navigate challenging economic conditions.

To lead these efforts, AVANA CUSO recently welcomed Yiqing Wang as Chief Operating Officer.

"Our team puts their heart into creating solutions that make a real difference for credit unions, which this Luminaries recognition celebrates," Wang stated in a press release. "When we see our partners succeed and grow aided by the tools we've developed, it reminds us why we do this work. We genuinely care about helping credit unions serve their communities better."

AVANA CUSO recently updated its pricing structure and services, offering an à la carte approach that allows credit unions to customize their lending operations.

"Credit unions play a vital role in their communities by providing access to capital that creates jobs and supports entrepreneurship, which this award acknowledges," stated Sundip Patel, CEO of AVANA Companies. "Our educational initiatives and technology platforms reflect our commitment to helping credit unions make informed decisions that strengthen their portfolios and better serve their members."

The educational initiatives underscore AVANA CUSO's commitment to helping credit unions navigate market challenges. These include a six-part webinar series launched to address rising delinquency rates in the industry and provide practical tools for managing distressed loans. In addition, AVANA CUSO is hosting webinars on SBA 504 loans.

AVANA CUSO was established in 1998.