The start of a new year is a powerful moment.
It’s a chance to hit the reset button — to reflect on where you’ve been and to focus on where you want to go. For credit unions, this isn’t just a business exercise. It’s an opportunity to recommit to a mission that’s foundational: people helping people.
The world is changing quickly, but that core philosophy remains your greatest strength.
It’s what sets you apart. It’s what draws members to you. The question now is how you can carry that timeless mission into a new year and new era of growth.
The Difference Is You
You know your community better than anyone.
You understand your members’ financial needs and their goals — whether they’re saving for a new home, launching a small business, or preparing for retirement. That deep connection is something big megabanks and fintechs simply cannot replicate.
On your path forward, you have a unique opportunity to build on that foundation and ensure you can meet the changing needs of your members for years to come. By prioritizing your strategic goals, you can position your credit union for a bright future.
Data from the Jack Henry 2025 Strategy Benchmark shows that credit unions are zeroing in on three key strategic priorities going into 2026:
- Increase operational efficiency.
- Grow loans.
- Acquire new members.
These priorities aren’t just about business growth — they’re about strengthening your ability to serve your communities and members.
The Power Of Purpose-Driven Priorities
Increasing operational efficiency isn’t about cost-cutting; it’s about making your credit union more agile and responsive.
When you streamline processes and automate routine tasks, you free up your team to do what they do best: engage with members and provide personalized service. This focus on efficiency allows you to get back to the core of your mission — delivering exceptional service and support that only a credit union can provide.
You’ve always been a trusted financial partner, and that trust is more important than ever.
By finding ways to do more with the same, you can dedicate more resources to the relationships that matter most. It’s about creating an organization that’s ready to meet the future needs of your members.
Growing loans and acquiring members are two sides of the same coin.
Your ability to provide access to capital is a cornerstone of a healthy community, helping members achieve their dreams and businesses expand. And as you know from Callahan’s Trendwatch webinar series, loan and savings growth is picking up, especially for credit unions who are focused on deepening their member relationships.
Looking Ahead With Confidence
In terms of top concerns, credit unions told Jack Henry they’re thinking about issues like fraud losses, acquiring younger members, and cyberattacks.
These are not easy challenges, but they are all connected to a central theme: the need to future-proof your credit union.
You cannot afford to settle for the status quo.
To tackle these challenges head-on, credit unions need a technology platform that is comprehensive and integrated. A system with an open architecture is essential because it gives you the flexibility and control to evolve your technology ecosystem. This means you can stay agile and integrate new fraud and cybersecurity technologies easily as they emerge.
With open technology, you can quickly add new fraud prevention tools and instantly update your cyber defenses, giving you the power to protect your members and their assets.
This way, you aren’t just reacting to what’s next — you’re ready for it.
When it comes to acquiring younger members, the digital experience plays a key role in helping you achieve your strategic goals. The way you interact with these members digitally will define their perception of your credit union. Younger generations want seamless, mobile-first experiences that align with how they live and work.
By investing in digital banking and automation, you can meet these expectations and show them that a credit union is the perfect choice for their financial future.
Eyeing The Horizon
As your credit union considers what’s next, there seems to be a clear picture of the technologies that will help you thrive.
According to the Jack Henry 2025 Strategy Benchmark, credit unions are planning to invest most in fraud prevention, digital banking, and automation. These aren’t just one-time upgrades — they’re part of a continuous journey of technology innovation.
By focusing on these areas, you’ll be addressing your top concerns while laying the groundwork for exceptional service and support. Your technology becomes a tool for building deeper relationships, allowing you to provide instant, personalized experiences that truly meet your members’ needs.
This continuous innovation is what helps you deliver on the promise of your mission and stay ahead of the curve.
The Role Of A Reliable Technology Ally
As you think about your path forward, it’s also important to consider the kind of support you need to get there.
Your technology provider should be more than a vendor — it needs to be a reliable ally who can support you through every step of your evolving journey. It should grow with you over time, providing the service and innovation you need to succeed. The right technology provider plays a key role in your business value and success.
The credit union mission is still the same — your members come first and your focus is on them. Your commitment to community involvement and financial inclusion is what makes your credit union so special.
A strong technology ally should share that philosophy and stand by you as you support your members and their communities. They should be proud to help you help others.
A New Beginning
You know the power of your mission; and you’ve always been committed to making a difference.
Now, you can use technology as a tool to amplify that mission and serve your members in new and innovative ways. By focusing on the future and staying true to who you are, you can not only meet the challenges of today but also build a stronger, more resilient credit union movement for generations to come.
At Jack Henry, we’re proud to stand with you, empowering the credit union movement with technology that strengthens the connections between people and their financial institutions.
For information about Jack Henry, visit jackhenry.com.
