The 2025 NCAA Final Four is notable for a number of reasons, but one of the big ones is that it’s the first time since 2008 that all four No. 1 seeds made the semi-finals. That’s a start contrast with just two years ago, when none of the No. 1 seeds made it that far.
This year’s match-ups should be must-watch games, featuring perennial contenders Duke and the Florida Gators – one of the best men’s college basketball programs of the 21st century – along with upstarts the Houston Cougars and the Auburn Tigers.
It’s a showdown for the ages. But who comes out on top in this clash of the titans? That’s where Callahan comes in.
With our proprietary model assessing each state’s credit unions, we can help separate the data from the noise and figure out which team takes home the hardware.
Semi-Final #1: Duke vs. Houston
In the first match-up, we have legendary basketball powerhouse Duke against the upstart University of Houston. Led by Cooper Flagg, the Blue Devils will try to best Kelvin Sampson’s Cougars in what’s expected to be a high-scoring affair. Comparing these two heavyweights’ on-court prowess is not for the faint of heart. That’s why Callahan takes a different approach – measuring their home states’ credit union bona fides.
When it comes to performing well, a basketball team must score points. Similarly, a credit union must collect the points of the financial system – cold hard cash. But they also can’t be stingy. Just as basketball teams must “share the rock,” credit unions also need shares from members depositing their savings. But revenue won’t translate into wins if they let costs run too high, so a solid zone defense against operating expenses is a crucial component of any championship-winning team. Let’s see how the teams do.
There you have it, a clean sweep. Duke, the blue blood of this year’s Final Four, takes the cake.
WINNER: Duke University
Semi-Final #2: Auburn vs. Florida
Next up, the Auburn Tigers, a program that’s taken the basketball world by storm, are up against Florida, a perennial contender. Led by coach Todd Golden, the Gators won the SEC tournament championship and are a team comprised of experienced players, most notably Walter Clayton Jr. But getting to the championship game won’t be an easy feat. On the other side, the Auburn Tigers, led by coach Bruce Pearl, are one of the best teams in the nation. In a face off this close, there’s only one way to predict a winner: comparing how they match up in the credit union industry.
In the first half, Florida takes a slight lead over Auburn with revenue growth but gives it right back with share growth. So, the trip to the national championship will be decided by defense of operating expenses, and Florida just slightly edges Auburn.
Winner: Florida
National Championship: Florida vs. Duke
It all comes down to this: a battle between perennial contenders Duke and the modern giants at Florida. Which team takes home the hardware? Let’s look at the data.
For a basketball team to succeed it must take shots, but it also must make them. By doing this, it can develop a winning formula. Similarly, for a credit union to develop a solid return on assets, it needs to take that same chance by lending sensibly to its membership. But those loans need to translate into yield.
Both teams are likely to go back and forth in a battle that has the potential to be a classic. Florida initially leads with slightly higher loan growth, beating Duke by just four basis points. But when it comes to those loans, North Carolina credit unions maximize their return more. So, it comes down to overtime, and Florida credit unions pulling out a decisive victory, beating North Carolina’s cooperatives in ROA by 15 basis points.
Winner: Florida
And just like that, the 2024-25 college basketball season ends with Florida taking home their third national title!
Championship-Worthy Performance Starts With The Right Data
Just like winning teams rely on game plans and stats to power their victories, credit union leaders need data-driven insights to make smart plays, too. Callahan’s Peer Suite provides key performance metrics — including share growth, operating expense ratios, ROA, and more —so you can see how your credit union stacks up on the court. Request a free 1:1 performance review comparing your institution against peers with a Callahan expert and receive a custom benchmarking report.
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