CU 2.0 Personal and Unsecured Lending Guide
This 2.0 Guide is intended to show the state of personal (and similar) lending in the U.S. It should also offer some perspective about why rising fintech lenders (such as SoFi) represents a clear threat to credit unions, as well as how credit unions can leverage partnering fintechs to fight back. Credit unions rely on […]
Where Are Credit Unions on the AI Adoption Curve?
We’re all hearing about AI. Boardrooms are buzzing. Vendors are name-dropping ChatGPT. And some CEOs are wondering if they need a Chief AI Officer, while others are still trying to remember their DocuSign password. So, let’s cut through the buzz and map it out. Where are credit unions on the AI adoption bell curve? Innovators: […]
A Primer on AI Agents for Credit Unions
If you don’t already know what it is, you’ve probably heard the term: AI Agent. Flashy. Sounds super secret. A little bit of Bond meets Mission Impossible, but inside The Matrix. But what is an AI agent, really? What can it do for credit unions? And… are they worth paying attention to (yet)? Let’s dig […]
Reactive vs Proactive Credit Offers with Modelshop
Lending technology has come a long way in the last ten years. We’ve seen tools that automate underwriting, simplify applications, and use alternative data to refine credit scoring. It’s all impressive stuff. But all these tools are doing is reacting. A member applies, the system pulls data, and a decision is made. That’s the model. […]
SEO vs. GEO: What Credit Union Marketers Should Know
Search engine optimization (SEO) has been a thing for decades now. We all know the drill—get your website to rank higher so more people click through. But is that enough? AI-powered search engines—like Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) and Bing Chat—are changing how people search the internet and get answers. That’s where Generative Engine Optimization […]
The Key Elements of Strategic Planning Sessions for Credit Unions
Strategic planning is one of the most rewarding parts of working in this industry. There’s something energizing about getting board members and leadership teams out of the day-to-day and into a room to talk about the future. When I worked inside a credit union, planning was always a bit messy. We’d start with big goals, […]
CU 2.0 Account Opening and Onboarding Guide
Let’s face it—if you’re about to join a credit union, and they bring out a stack of paperwork, it’s game over. You’ll walk out and find someplace that isn’t stuck in 1995. And if you nodded in recognition as you read that, imagine how Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha feel when their online account […]
How to Choose the Right Credit Union Strategic Planning Facilitator
It’s a wild world out there. Disruptive technologies and emergent market conditions are forcing us to completely reconsider our credit union strategies. If you want to be ready for what comes next, you need a credit union strategic planning facilitator. Each summer, hundreds of credit union boards and executives gather at a beautiful offsite location […]
Managing Credit Risk through Loan Participations
Loan performance is under pressure. Credit card delinquencies are at their highest levels since the Great Recession. Used vehicle loan charge-offs are breaking records. And while credit unions have managed these risks before, the NCUA’s 2025 Supervisory Priorities make it clear: Examiners are paying close attention to credit risk. That means reviewing underwriting standards, portfolio […]
Loan Participations 101: Balance Sheet Management
Credit unions are in a tough spot right now. Unpredictable rates, changing member habits, and liquidity concerns are making it harder to keep balance sheets in check. Some credit unions have too much money sitting idle. Others have loan demand but need more liquidity to keep lending. Either way, finding the right balance isn’t easy. […]