Member engagement. It’s that thing everyone talks about at conferences but struggles to actually deliver on. It’s something that pops up in strategic planning sessions, and then… drops in priority through the year.
Your members need more touchpoints, but other things jump the line. “Engagement” stays stuck in the “someday” pile.
Still, the right fintechs can solve that problem for you. You don’t even have to do much. Here are a few fintech platforms for credit union member engagement.
Which Fintech Platforms Solve Member Engagement?
Here’s the thing about member engagement: there’s no single magic bullet. What works for a $50M credit union in rural Montana looks different from a $2B credit union in metro Atlanta.
Fintechs have figured out several distinct approaches to keeping members engaged, active, and loyal. Some focus on making everyday banking more rewarding. Others gamify financial wellness. A few create personalized experiences that make members feel like you actually know them. And some simply remove friction from processes that used to drive members away.
The key is matching the right strategy to your member base and your credit union’s personality. Let’s look at a few approaches that are working right now.
Proven Fintech Strategies for Member Engagement
1. Rewards-Based Engagement
This is the “we’ll pay you to use your accounts” approach, and it works because people like money. Fintechs in this space create programs that reward members for everyday banking behaviors:
Direct deposits, debit card swaps, savings goals, you name it.
The best implementations don’t feel like bribes. They feel like your credit union noticed what members are already doing and decided to say “thanks” in a tangible way. Done right, this turns routine transactions into moments of delight.
2. Financial Wellness Tools
Some fintechs skip the carrots and go straight to helping members make better financial decisions. These platforms use data and AI to give members personalized insights, budgeting tools, and financial coaching. Think fitness trackers, but for money.
The engagement comes from progress, not prizes. Members log in because they want to see their debt trending down or their credit score trending up. The credit union becomes the coach in their corner, not just the place where their money lives.
3. Frictionless Experiences
Sometimes engagement isn’t about adding features, but removing frustration. Fintechs focused on user experience make banking so smooth that members actually want to use your app (instead of grudgingly opening it twice a month).
Instant loan decisions, mobile-first account opening, and interfaces that don’t require a user manual. When members can accomplish what they need in 30 seconds instead of 30 minutes, they come back more often. And when they come back more often, you get more opportunities to deepen the relationship.
4. Personalized Marketing and Communication
There’s always a marketing angle, isn’t there? Personalized emails, texts, or even phone calls go a long way. Fintechs that use data to identify member behavior, life stage, and financial patterns always drive results. They figure out what each person actually needs and then help you deliver it.
A member starts searching for homes online? Suddenly they’re seeing your mortgage options. Someone’s emergency fund hits a milestone? They get a note about your investment services. It’s not creepy if it’s genuinely helpful…
Right?
Fintechs Doing It Right
What does this look like in practice? Here are a few fintech platforms for credit union member engagement that nail it (we think):
Avibra offers Netflix-like benefits and Amex-style rewards on checking and savings accounts. Members choose their benefits (from a list of more than 60) each month, keeping them coming back… and providing tangible value to boot. Oh, and did we mention the NII per member?
Kasasa‘s new SureLock product protects members from fraud and theft, turning simple checking accounts into member saferooms. The NII per member is the cherry on top.
Starlight is a CUSO that helps members find and capture financial assistance. They tap into governmental aid programs and put that money right into member accounts. Basically, Starlight turns credit unions into powerful financial allies for their members.
Swaystack is built around onboarding and engagement. They gamify the experience, ensuring that credit unions deepen relationships with new members right from the start.
Chimney and Chimney Home offer easy financial calculators and home-value data that keep members connected to their financial goals through your credit union. They’re simple to deploy, they’re valuable to members, and they generate real leads.
Total Expert brings all the personalization and communication tools together in one platform, helping you reach the right member with the right message at exactly the right time.
Want to Learn More?
Wondering which approach is best for your credit union? Like hearing about potential fintech solutions to the challenges you’re facing?
Our Fintech Call Program serves as a low-obligation (and free) tech scouting service for you. In one 30-minute call per quarter, we talk targeted tech with you. It all starts here:
Don’t see the form above? Email us at info@cu-2.com
