Albuquerque, New Mexico — March 17, 2026 — Following a year of historic growth, Sunward Federal Credit Union has bolstered its Lending team through a pair of promotions that will help ensure continued growth and stability into the future.
Jamie Aguilar has been promoted to Chief Lending Officer, a new role for the growing Credit Union. Aguilar has served Sunward for nearly two years, improving and expanding the Credit Union’s loan products and services during a period of brand transformation, culture modernization, and physical expansion.
As Chief Lending Officer, Aguilar will oversee all Lending operations, including the Commercial, Consumer, Indirect, Mortgage, Lending Learning & Development, and Loan Servicing teams.
“It’s been an incredible opportunity helping build a new foundation for our Lending team,” said Aguilar. “I can’t wait to continue delivering affordability and flexibility for our communities today, while ensuring sustainability for tomorrow.”
Alongside Aguilar’s promotion to Chief Lending Officer, Casey Bresnahan has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Commercial Lending.
After serving at Sunward for nearly a decade, Bresnahan will now oversee the Credit Union’s broad commercial lending portfolio, ensuring success for Sunward’s partners while developing new relationships and deepening existing partnerships.
“Creativity and adaptability drive our approach to financing,” said Bresnahan. “We’ve built some incredible partnerships over the past year throughout New Mexico and the Southwest more widely, and I’m thrilled to continue growing our impact.”
Bresnahan replaces Dan Cover, who retired from Sunward in February after nearly two decades of service to our members and business partners. Cover led Sunward’s commercial lending, forming strong partnerships with partners like Rembe Urban Design + Development, partnering to creatively finance Albuquerque’s award-winning Griegos Farms housing development.
Aguilar and Bresnahan’s promotions — which include the establishment of a new executive-level role — come after a period of historic achievement for Sunward’s Lending team. Those achievements include:
35% average loan portfolio growth over the past two years.
The highest single-month loan funding volume.
The introduction of a new 5% down fixed-rate no private insurance mortgage product, providing home affordability throughout communities in New Mexico, Colorado, and California.
The launch of a new Solar Panel Loan Program for homeowners.
The transformation of Sunward’s Indirect Lending program, forming new relationships with trusted dealerships and business partners across markets.
As members seek affordable, flexible financing options, Aguilar and Bresnahan will help lead the development of forward-thinking products and services that meet current affordability needs while ensuring long-term growth.
Sunward Federal Credit Union is one of New Mexico’s largest credit unions, serving over 173,000 members and managing more than $4.6 billion in assets. Formed in 1948 by employees of Sandia National Laboratories, Sunward’s footprint spans 16 branches across the Southwest and California.
Sunward has been named one of America’s Best Regional Credit Unions by Newsweek and Albuquerque’s Best Bank by the Albuquerque Journal’s Readers’ Choice Awards. Anyone can apply to open an account, and members can enjoy access to checking, savings, mortgage, auto, credit card and investment services.
Federally insured by NCUA. Equal Housing Lender. For more information, visit gosunward.org.
