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Credit Unions Make People Better — Members, Employees, and Entire Communities
There is something extraordinary happening inside credit unions every single day — something that goes far beyond loan approvals, account openings, or quarterly results. Credit unions make people better. They strengthen the financial health of their members. They elevate the well-being and professional growth of their employees. And they fortify the stability, resilience, and opportunity of the communities they serve. This is not accidental. It is the natural outcome of the c
Dec 11, 20254 min read
How Credit Unions Strengthen the Health of Their Communities
Credit unions were built to improve lives — and while we often talk about this in financial terms, the truth is much bigger: Credit unions are community health organizations. According to the World Health Organization , a person’s well-being is shaped by several key social determinants, including: Economic stability Access to education Neighborhood and housing conditions Social and community support Access to essential services Environmental safety Opportunities for long-term
Dec 11, 20253 min read
2026 Is Here: What Credit Unions Must Know About Data, AI, Member Impact + coffeemakers
Insights from my CU Broadcast Interview + A New White Paper to Guide Your Next Steps Every December, we look back at the whirlwind of the year and ask ourselves: Are we ready for what’s next? But as I shared recently on CU Broadcast , 2026 isn’t arriving with gentle curiosity — it’s arriving with expectations . Expectations from members, regulators, boards, and communities who now want to know not only how credit unions will use AI, but whether they're ready to use it well.
Dec 11, 20256 min read
Member Impact Will Define Credit Union Relevance in 2026
Every year begins with the same familiar rhythm: refreshed plans, renewed goals, and sharpened focus. But 2026 carries a different kind of energy—one that signals a shift in how credit unions must think about their work, their role, and their relevance. For decades, credit unions have quietly supported their members through some of life’s most difficult financial moments. Yet as the world becomes increasingly noisy, competitive, and data-driven, simply doing good is no longe
Dec 10, 20254 min read
A New Year Reminder: Credit Unions Matter More Than Ever
Why Credit Unions Matter More Than Ever Every January feels like a fresh page—a moment to reset, refocus, and remind ourselves why we do what we do. And as I look at the year ahead for credit unions, I keep returning to one simple truth: Credit unions change lives. Every day. In quiet, powerful, deeply human ways. While the world enters 2026 buzzing about technology, transformation, and what AI will mean for financial services, I find myself drawn to the stories that never ma
Dec 9, 20254 min read
Hello 2026, AI and Credit Union Impact
Every January brings a familiar energy: new goals, new possibilities, new determination . But 2026 feels different. This is the year AI officially shifted from “future potential” to present expectation . Regulators, members, boards, and community partners are no longer asking if AI will shape credit unions—they’re asking how well prepared credit unions are to use it. And here’s the truth we must name at the start of a new year: AI readiness isn’t about technology. It’s about
Dec 9, 20255 min read
When AI Meets Intention: How Credit Unions Can Build Momentum That Lasts
AI doesn’t replace your people or your purpose — it accelerates both. When clean data fuels intelligent systems, every insight, decision, and interaction compounds your credit union’s impact. Rethinking the Flywheel in the Age of AI Every credit union already has a flywheel — a cycle of actions that builds momentum: Member trust → deeper relationships → more data → personalized experiences → higher satisfaction → even greater trust. But that wheel often slows down when pow
Oct 27, 20253 min read
Starting Fresh: New Year, New Data Goals
A new year brings a powerful moment of reset. For credit unions, it’s not just about setting resolutions — it’s about setting data goals that will shape how you serve members, empower employees, and grow your organization in 2026. If 2025 was about celebrating wins and building momentum, then 2026 is about focus and follow-through . Here’s how credit unions can start fresh and set meaningful data goals for the next chapter: 1. Anchor Goals in Member Value Data goals should
Oct 16, 20253 min read
The Gift of Data: How Insights Create Certainty in Uncertain Times
The holiday season is a time of reflection, gratitude, and giving. For credit unions, it’s also a chance to think about the greatest gift we can offer members: certainty in uncertain times. Amid economic shifts, digital disruption, and evolving expectations, members are looking for stability. They want to know that their credit union sees them, understands them, and is ready to help them navigate life’s moments with clarity and confidence. That’s where data comes in. Data a
Oct 16, 20253 min read
How to Engage Teams in Your 2026 Data Strategy
The most powerful data strategies don’t live on paper — they live in the hands of your people. As credit unions prepare for 2026, one of the greatest opportunities lies in team engagement . When employees understand, believe in, and apply the data strategy, transformation moves from concept to reality. So how do you engage your teams in your 2026 data roadmap? 1. Connect Strategy to Purpose Your team wants to know why data matters. Don’t just talk about dashboards and KPIs
Oct 16, 20253 min read
The Top 10 Data Wins of 2025 for Credit Unions
Before we look ahead to 2026, it’s worth pausing to celebrate the incredible progress credit unions made with data in 2025. Across the industry, leaders pushed past uncertainty and tapped into data as a true strategic asset. Here are 10 standout data wins from 2025 that showcase what’s possible when credit unions activate their data: 1. Member Intelligence Goes Mainstream Credit unions moved beyond demographics to understand member behaviors, life events, and preferences
Oct 16, 20253 min read
Your 2026 Data Roadmap: Key Priorities for Growth and Innovation
As the new year approaches, credit unions are presented with a fresh opportunity: to look ahead, set intentions, and chart a clear path toward data-driven growth. If 2025 was the year of learning, experimenting, and celebrating quick wins, then 2026 must be about deliberate execution, scaled innovation, and measurable impact . At THRIVE, we’ve seen how the right roadmap not only guides strategy but also builds momentum across the organization. Here are the five key priorities
Oct 16, 20253 min read
Five Reasons Credit Unions Should Be Thankful for Data
As we gather this Thanksgiving to reflect on what we’re grateful for, it’s easy to think about family, friends, and traditions. But for credit unions, there’s another reason to give thanks: data. It may not come with cranberry sauce or pumpkin pie, but data is the ingredient that makes growth, clarity, and innovation possible. Here are five reasons credit unions should be thankful for data this season: 1. Data Helps Us Truly Know Our Members Credit unions were built on rela
Oct 16, 20253 min read
Six Themes Defining the Future of Credit Unions — and How to Take Action
2026 isn’t just another year on the calendar. It’s a turning point — a moment where technology, trust, and transformation converge to redefine what it means to serve. Based on insights gathered across the credit union movement, six key themes are shaping how credit unions will thrive in the years ahead. Each represents both an opportunity and a challenge — and together, they form a roadmap for growth through purpose-driven innovation. 1. Technology Transformation Modernizatio
Oct 16, 20253 min read
The 2026 Inflection Point — How Data and AI Are Redefining Credit Union Growth
As we approach 2026, credit unions are standing at a crossroads. The pace of change in technology, economics, and member expectations has never been faster — and with it comes both pressure and possibility. Across the industry, I hear a consistent theme from credit union leaders: we want to modernize, we want to grow, and we want to stay true to our mission . These aspirations are not at odds — they are interdependent. The key to uniting them lies in how credit unions use dat
Oct 16, 20253 min read
Clarity Creates Momentum: How to End 2025 Ready for Growth in 2026
As the calendar winds down, credit unions often find themselves at a crossroads. The choices made in the final weeks of the year don’t just wrap up 2025—they set the tone for growth, innovation, and momentum in 2026. The key to making those choices with confidence? Clarity. Why Clarity Matters at Year-End Without clarity, leaders face uncertainty. Budgets stall, priorities blur, and opportunities slip through the cracks. But when you have a clear understanding of your data,
Oct 16, 20253 min read
Avoiding the Scariest Data Mistakes in Credit Unions
October is the season for spooky stories, haunted houses, and unexpected ghosts. But for credit unions, the scariest monsters aren’t hiding in the shadows—they’re lurking in your data. Left unchecked, these data mistakes can haunt decision-making, drain resources, and spook members away. The good news? With the right tools and strategies, you can turn these horror stories into success stories. Let’s shine a flashlight on the three scariest data mistakes credit unions make—and
Sep 9, 20253 min read
Don’t Let Data Ghosts Haunt Your AI Strategy
October is the season of pumpkins, costumes, and spooky fun—but for many credit unions, the scariest things aren’t found in haunted...
Sep 9, 20252 min read
The Untapped Advantage of Member Intelligence – Turning Market Signals into Growth
In a recent CU Broadcast interview, I had the chance to unpack one of the most overlooked opportunities in the credit union industry:...
Sep 9, 20252 min read
Using Data to Create Clarity in 2025 and Beyond
October marks budget season for many credit unions. It’s the time of year when leaders sharpen their pencils, prioritize investments, and...
Sep 9, 20253 min read
Insights to Guide Your Next Move
Looking to move your credit union forward with confidence? These practical resources are designed to meet you where you are—offering clarity for the road ahead and momentum to take the next step.
Whether you're planning for the future or need a quick reset, these guides are built to help you align your data, strategy, and innovation efforts with ease.
Insight guides
Creating Certainty in Uncertain Times
How Credit Unions Can Use Data to
Guide and Empower Members
This guide helps your credit union harness the power of data to bring clarity, direction, and confidence—right when your members need it most.
What’s inside:
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Discover the Data-to-Certainty Framework
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Learn what data to unlock—and why it matters now
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See how peers are activating data to improve members' lives
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Access to a current state of your data assessment.
A perfect fit for credit unions seeking traction for member impact.
Future-Ready Guide
Think ahead. Plan smarter.
This guide helps you scan the horizon and prepare for the trends shaping credit union success. It’s a strategic companion for leaders ready to future-proof their operations, culture, and technology.
Inside you’ll find:
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Trends shaping the future of financial services
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Strategies to future-proof your data, culture, and tech
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Insights to spark innovation and resilience
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A readiness checklist to assess your momentum
Ideal for leaders building long-term relevance and competitive edge.
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