THE feature

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif.–In a marketplace that has changed in so many ways, especially since the onset of the pandemic, credit unions have had plenty to think about. Now they’re being given the opportunity to “Rethink Everything.”

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.—It’s time more credit unions begin looking at their members’ account activity to see if they are getting involved in cryptocurrency.

WASHINGTON—Can cryptocurrency help drive lending at credit unions? According to the leader of one of the first cooperatives in the nation to offer crypto services to its members—and who was speaking to a standing room only crowd of CU leaders—it can drive new loans and more.

GREENVILLE, S.C.–When a group of credit union execs gathered here was asked how many had made a purchase using cryptocurrency, no hands were raised. When they were then asked how many had made a purchase using their phone, every hand was raised. In a decade, those hands will all be raised in response to both questions the audience was told—meaning they better start developing a crypto strategy now, according to one CU that is among the first to offer crypto to members

NEW YORK—Smarter AI-powered decisions and automation have become critical elements in loan decisioning today, especially as traditional credit scores wane in importance, says one expert.

SOPOT, Poland–Two weeks after two American CU leaders visited here, a brand-new fund is now operating and collecting donations to support Poland’s credit unions as they work to deliver relief and economic support to the flood of refugees from Ukraine following the Russian invasion and the resulting war and devastation.

ST. LOUIS—The growing emphasis on digital services has put a premium on evaluating the performance and effectiveness of branches, says one expert, who adds location design can also help with the current labor shortage.

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.—Is the growing trend by some large banks and larger credit unions to reduce or even eliminate their nonsufficient funds fees creating a dilemma for smaller CUs? One credit union CEO told CUToday.info the issue is “one of the biggest concerns facing the credit union movement in many years.”

LOMBARD, Ill.—Buy now, pay later (BNPL) is a larger threat to credit card business than many had originally forecast, asserts one analyst, who believes the popular borrowing option is also a Trojan horse that will steal away younger members. But there may also be one “good opportunity” for CUs.