Meet The Finalists For The 2025 Innovation Series: Member Engagement
This year’s finalists focus on deepening relationships to drive top-of-wallet status and keep credit unions top of mind.
This year’s finalists focus on deepening relationships to drive top-of-wallet status and keep credit unions top of mind.
The Michigan cooperative is turning data-driven decision-making into the standard operating procedure.
Learn from 2025’s top innovators in member experience
Credit unions must optimize their rewards programs to attract consumers willing to bank with any FI that meets their credit card needs.
For some members of Tongass FCU, the nearest branch can be a plane ride away. Local “microsites” have improved service for those remote locations.
Tax season is just around the corner, and two low-income credit unions are gearing up their tax-preparation services.
Indiana-based Public Service launched ITMs as part of a broader pivot to deepen member service.
Since generative AI burst onto the scene in 2022, AI chatbots or virtual agents have dominated the headlines—becoming a top investment priority for businesses across the customer experience landscape. While AI chatbots represent one key element of a modern member experience strategy, they’re just the beginning when it comes to creating a truly differentiated end-to-end
Credit union leaders share how they navigate a successful VA loan program and address challenges veterans face.
Affinity Plus builds member engagement by focusing equally on a modern brick-and-mortar network plus the latest technologies for members and staff alike.

A look at year-end performance trends reveals how earnings, affordability pressures, and asset quality are redefining the operating environment heading into 2026.

Members are struggling with an affordability crisis that is changing how they manage debt, and new behaviors are showing up across the credit union loan portfolio.

This year’s Innovation Series returns with bigger impact and broader horizons. Since 2018, this annual showcase has spotlighted forward-thinking solutions by giving innovators a stage to share ideas, demonstrate solutions, and spark meaningful change.
Credit union asset quality didn’t collapse in 2025 — but it didn’t cooperate, either. What’s going on, and are credit unions prepared to respond in 2026?

This year’s Innovation Series returns with bigger impact and broader horizons. Since 2018, this annual showcase has spotlighted forward-thinking solutions by giving innovators a stage to share ideas, demonstrate solutions, and spark meaningful change.

This year’s Innovation Series returns with bigger impact and broader horizons. Since 2018, this annual showcase has spotlighted forward-thinking solutions by giving innovators a stage to share ideas, demonstrate solutions, and spark meaningful change.
The affordability crisis extends far beyond big-ticket expenses. As the rising cost of basic necessities outpaces income growth, household budgets are under strain and long-term financial stability is increasingly at risk.
As credit unions move deeper into 2026, the earnings conversation is shifting. Elevated interest rates have boosted margins and strengthened earnings flexibility, but that advantage won’t persist indefinitely.
A radical shift is taking place in the way consumers move money and engage with their financial institution.

How the Michigan-based cooperative’s “Culture of Finance” curriculum is reframing financial education.