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Elder Financial Abuse: Steps for Prevention

Risk Management

Elder Financial Abuse: Steps for Prevention

Kate is a former executive secretary from the Pennsylvania area. She spent 10 years caring for her late husband, before finding purpose in taking care of hospice dogs. She was just an ordinary woman leading an ordinary life. But, my oh my, did that ordinary life take a twisted turn.

What a Prolonged Conflict with Iran Could Mean for the Economy and Interest Rates

Money Management

What a Prolonged Conflict with Iran Could Mean for the Economy and Interest Rates

Have you watched the news lately? Even if you haven’t, it’s common knowledge across the globe at this point that the United States, along with Israel, are in direct conflict with Iran. In late February, multiple airstrikes and the elimination of Iranian supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, fueled the

Part 3: 2026 Actionable Growth Goals — Win the Next Generation with Relevance, Not Reach

Innovation & Technology

Part 3: 2026 Actionable Growth Goals — Win the Next Generation with Relevance, Not Reach

Credit unions have always known how to build relationships. The challenge heading into 2026 is building them with a generation that has been conditioned to expect relevance in every interaction and to move on quickly when they do not find it. Younger members are often described as hard to reach

What Lies at the Intersection of AI & Marketing?

Innovation & Technology

What Lies at the Intersection of AI & Marketing?

Is a road trip even a road trip without a game that gets everyone involved? Think I Spy, punch bug, the alphabet game with road signs. My family and I love to play these games to pass the time and entertain ourselves en route to our final destination. But we’

Part 2: 2026 Actionable Growth Goals — Leveraging AI for New Member Acquisition

Innovation & Technology

Part 2: 2026 Actionable Growth Goals — Leveraging AI for New Member Acquisition

For decades, new member acquisition at credit unions has been treated as a volume problem. If growth slowed, the instinct was usually simple. Run more campaigns. Add more channels. Increase the number of offers. Cast a wider net, and hope the math works out. As we head into 2026, it

Part 1: 2026 Actionable Growth Goals Measure Member Economic Participation, Not Just Products or Balances

Innovation & Technology

Part 1: 2026 Actionable Growth Goals Measure Member Economic Participation, Not Just Products or Balances

As we look ahead to 2026, I am kicking off a short three-part series on goals I believe every credit union leader should consider for the year ahead. I want to start with one of the most foundational shifts our industry can make. Measure member economic participation. Actually measure it.

Moving From Resistance to Results: Developing a Coaching Mindset

Leadership & Culture

Moving From Resistance to Results: Developing a Coaching Mindset

At a local credit union, an employee was stuck with a looming deadline and could not figure out how to take the next step. The manager stepped in and said, “Here, I’ll show you.” The job was finished, the deadline met. In another department, a different team member was

ERM Assessments...Who is Responsible?

Risk Management

ERM Assessments...Who is Responsible?

Another year, more assessments. Despite the burdensome reputation they often carry, assessments are a necessary part of any enterprise risk management (ERM) program, because they identify risks and vulnerabilities early on. Think of them as you would an annual checkup to the doctor or a preventive screening – quiet and less

Navigating the 2026 ACH Rule Changes and Updates

Navigating the 2026 ACH Rule Changes and Updates

The payments landscape changes every year, and periodically, so do the Nacha Operating Rules and Guidelines that govern ACH transactions. That’s true in 2026, as many changes are being implemented to improve readiness, fraud prevention and consistency. So, let’s take a look at the 2026 ACH rule changes

From Innovation to Accountability: Why AI Auditing is a Must in Financial Services

Risk Management

From Innovation to Accountability: Why AI Auditing is a Must in Financial Services

When it comes to using artificial intelligence (AI) internally and across products and services, great power comes with great responsibility. For financial institutions (FIs) and financial services organizations, the stakes around AI are particularly high: operational risk, compliance risk, reputational risk — and even ethical risk — are all wrapped up in

Data Warehouses – A Dumpsite or a Goldmine?

Innovation & Technology

Data Warehouses – A Dumpsite or a Goldmine?

Data warehouses, data lakes, data marts—data everything. With the continued growth of a data-driven world, it has never been more apparent that data is becoming the centerpiece of most organizations. However, having data is not the same as using it well. That is where data warehouses have become a

Cybersecurity Investigations: Do You Have the Missing Piece of the Puzzle?

Risk Management

Cybersecurity Investigations: Do You Have the Missing Piece of the Puzzle?

Have you ever thought any of these things to yourself when you see something that’s just not right? “I don’t want to bother them with it.” “What I saw can’t be that important.” “I’m sure I’m wrong.” When it comes to cybersecurity, many people inadvertently

Personalization – The Path to Member Loyalty

Innovation & Technology

Personalization – The Path to Member Loyalty

Imagine asking your members when they last received a message from your credit union that felt like it was written just for them. If you’re afraid their answer might be “never,” you’re not alone, and you should keep reading. For many credit unions, “spray and pray” is still

The 3 Questions Every Board Asks Their CISO and How MDR Built for Banking Answers Them

Risk Management

The 3 Questions Every Board Asks Their CISO and How MDR Built for Banking Answers Them

Boards demand clarity on security, proof and risk. Learn how banking-specific MDR delivers the metrics, evidence and insight CISOs need to lead with confidence. The Boardroom Pressure Test Every chief information security officer (CISO) in banking knows the drill. You spend months strengthening defenses, fine-tuning alerts and preparing reports. Then

Beyond Compliance: Why Record Retention Matters

Risk Management

Beyond Compliance: Why Record Retention Matters

It’s true that audits are more complex than ever and security threats lurk around every corner. But did you ever consider that the antidote to these risks is one thing you probably give the least amount of thought to? I’m talking about record retention, and why its importance

A Balance Sheet Snapshot: What 2025’s Final Quarter Trends Signal for 2026

Money Management

A Balance Sheet Snapshot: What 2025’s Final Quarter Trends Signal for 2026

As we close out 2025 and look ahead to the opportunities in 2026, I thought it would be helpful to reflect on recent balance sheet trends. The current market environment has prompted notable shifts across most credit unions. Overall, loan generation has been lower than the levels seen in the

Vizo Financial Webinars: Answers to Your Frequently Asked Questions

Vizo Financial Webinars: Answers to Your Frequently Asked Questions

With a myriad of no-cost webinars, 80+ CPE credits awarded annually and more than 1,800 views to our on-demand recordings, it’s no secret that Vizo Financial is known for our credit union education. It’s also no surprise, then, that you may have some questions when it comes

Do SBA Variable Rate Pools Make Sense for Your Credit Union?

Money Management

Do SBA Variable Rate Pools Make Sense for Your Credit Union?

When rates are high and you’re looking to lock in yield, fixed rate investments are generally the way to go, especially when rates are expected to fall. This has been the case since the end of 2023, and credit unions have been adding fixed rate investments ever since. Many

No Time, No Problem: Consistency Keeps Training on Track!

Leadership & Culture

No Time, No Problem: Consistency Keeps Training on Track!

In today’s demanding environment, training can often feel like a luxury. Between limited staff, regulatory demands, service goals and ever-changing member needs, leaders are stretched thin. Yet, training and education are the foundation for member satisfaction, compliance and employee confidence and engagement. Well, I have good news to share

Exploring the Evolution and Future of Card Payments

Exploring the Evolution and Future of Card Payments

As technology has been rapidly advancing over the past two decades, so have the functionalities and capabilities of card payments. The days of swiping plastic at the register are mostly behind us, and the rise of newer methods like contactless payments, digital wallets and embedded payments have quickly become standard

CASE STUDY: Duke University FCU Sees Increased Member Participation & Growth Using Vertice AI Data-Driven Insights

Innovation & Technology

CASE STUDY: Duke University FCU Sees Increased Member Participation & Growth Using Vertice AI Data-Driven Insights

It’s no secret that the financial industry is becoming increasingly competitive, especially with the rise of digital banking and other nontraditional providers. To personalize member engagement and offer the products and services today’s consumers expect, Duke University Federal Credit Union (Durham, N.C., $194 million) knew it had

Diversity & Representation: Unmasking the True Spirit of Inclusion

Employee Experience

Diversity & Representation: Unmasking the True Spirit of Inclusion

Spooky season is upon us, which means there is no better time to take a look at the shadow lurking beneath the surface of diversity, equity and inclusion within our organizations. While we’ve made great strides toward incorporating DEI practices within our credit unions and take pride in celebrating

Preventing Payments Fraud with a Multi-Defense Strategy

Risk Management

Preventing Payments Fraud with a Multi-Defense Strategy

In our fast-paced digital world, payments fraud has become a ubiquitous component of everyday business operations. In fact, 79 percent of organizations have experienced fraud attempts, according to Truist’s 2025 AFP survey. It’s an unfortunate reality, and while it may seem like an insurmountable challenge, there are measures

Global Values, Local Roots: Celebrating the Cooperative Impact of Credit Unions

Credit Union Movement

Global Values, Local Roots: Celebrating the Cooperative Impact of Credit Unions

Small things can make the biggest difference. As part of the credit union movement, we’ve known this for a long time. Credit unions are rooted in the heart of our communities, but our impact is known around the world. And in October, we take special care to highlight that

Scary Movies Aren’t the Only Spooky On-Screen Showings…Beware of Cyber Hackers!

Risk Management

Scary Movies Aren’t the Only Spooky On-Screen Showings…Beware of Cyber Hackers!

October is the best time of year to watch frightening films and see spooky stories unfold. However, no matter how thrilling and realistic these movies can be, they are fictional. So, before you grab popcorn and press play, let’s first address some of the true threats that do exist