2026 Is Here: What Credit Unions Must Know About Data, AI, Member Impact + coffeemakers
- Anne Legg
- 18 hours ago
- 6 min read
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.
And as exciting as AI is (and yes, it is still shiny!), there’s a truth we must name:
AI cannot work without activated data.
It’s the fuel that makes every intelligent experience possible.
That simple truth sits at the heart of THRIVE’s latest white paper, The Data & AI Priorities for Credit Unions in 2026 — and at the center of my conversation with Mike Lawson on CU Broadcast.
Today, I want to share the key takeaways from that interview and how they connect to the frameworks we outlined in the white paper.
Members Aren’t Comparing You to Other Credit Unions Anymore
During the interview, I shared a point that always makes audiences stop and think:
Your members are comparing your experience to Amazon and Walmart — not the credit union down the street.
Large retailers are using AI to anticipate needs and remove friction long before the customer ever clicks a button. Mike and I talked about Walmart’s new AI features that review your past history and build an entire purchase list for you, ready to approve with a single tap.
That’s the environment we’re in now.
Competition isn't theoretical — it's here.
This is why 2026 requires a different playbook. Not bigger. Not faster. Smarter.
The Two Buckets That Will Shape Credit Union Strategy in 2026
In the interview, I outlined two major categories of work that every credit union needs to understand: Get Started and Accelerate.
Bucket 1: Get Started
These are the foundations — the non-negotiables:
1. Think differently about technology
AI will not fix your data problem.
But activated data?
That will unlock your AI.
2. Rethink efficiency as capacity
In 2026, efficiency isn’t about saving money.
It’s about building capacity so your teams can do more meaningful work.
3. Start with member friction
If you want to know where to begin, start with the pain.
As I shared on the show, we’re not wrapping the whole house in one shot.
We’re just “wrapping the coffee maker.” Small, high-value fixes first.
Bucket 2: Accelerate
Once the foundation is set, acceleration is about scale:
1. One-to-many engagement
It’s no longer enough to say, “We know you.”
AI now lets you show members you know them through personalized experiences that feel human.
2. Move beyond dashboards to data storytelling
Data only creates value when it becomes a narrative that drives action — inside and outside your organization.
3. Embrace adaptability over perfection
In the interview, I said the future will belong to credit unions that act now, not those that wait for perfect conditions.
Small steps, repeated consistently, build real capability.
The Coffee Maker Analogy Everyone Loved
One of my favorite parts of the interview was explaining how AI and data work together through — yes — a coffee maker.
Your credit union is the coffee maker.
Your data is the beans.
AI is the automation that learns your preferences and adjusts accordingly.
And just like a coffee maker that learns your 3:00 AM travel-day brew time, credit unions can use AI to anticipate member needs long before they voice them.
But here’s the key:
You don’t start by rebuilding the whole kitchen.
You start by making one great cup of coffee.
One friction point.
One proof point.
One measurable step forward.
Three Questions Every Credit Union Must Answer in 2026
As we discussed on CU Broadcast, everything in 2026 comes down to three questions:
1. Where are we today?
Assess your readiness across the six priorities outlined in the white paper.
Identify gaps.
Name strengths.
Be honest.
2. How will we measure value?
Members come to you with fundamental financial needs — transportation, housing, rainy-day savings, debt resilience, and financial stress.
Impact must be measured in these terms, not just in product usage.
2026 white paper12.11.25 CU bro…
3. What capabilities must we build?
Do you have the right data?
The right technology?
The right culture?
If not, what’s the first capability you can begin building tomorrow?
AI Doesn’t Make Credit Unions Less Human — It Makes Them More Human
One of the most important messages from our conversation was this:
AI amplifies what credit unions already do best: people helping people.
Automating the manual, mundane steps gives your team the freedom to be present when members need human support the most.
It doesn’t diminish your humanity — it scales it.
So What’s the Call to Action? Start Small. Start Now.
During the interview, I shared the action I’d sprinkle across the industry if I could:
Gather your team.
Read the white paper together.
Discuss the three questions.
Pick one small friction point.
Begin.
You don’t need a massive project.
You need momentum.
And 2026 is the moment to build it.
As I said on CU Broadcast: Let’s make 2026 the year of the member.
Download the White Paper: The Data & AI Priorities for Credit Unions in 2026
If you want a clear, practical, credit-union-specific roadmap for readiness, measurement, and impact — this white paper is for you.
I’d love to hear what your team uncovers as you explore it together.
Create Clarity & Certainty in Uncertain Times
Get the Framework Credit Unions Are Using to Thrive in 2025 and Beyond! Discover the 3-step framework credit unions are using to reduce friction, guide members, and make confident decisions in unpredictable times.
Start 2026 with Clarity! Download “Creating Certainty in Uncertain Times” and take the first step to exorcising your data ghosts! Get the Guide
Data & AI Priorities for Credit Unions in 2026
Credit unions are standing at an inflection point. Technology, economics, and member expectations are evolving faster than ever — creating both challenges and opportunities.
This white paper explores how data and AI are reshaping growth, efficiency, and trust across the movement. Drawing from conversations with credit union leaders nationwide, it identifies six themes that will define success in 2026 and beyond! This paper provides reflection prompts and next-step guidance to help leaders benchmark progress, close capability gaps, and align technology with mission.
Request your copy today!
Your Board. Your Strategy. Future-Ready.
The future of credit unions is data-driven—and that future begins in the boardroom. THRIVE’s Board Strategy Workshops help unlock alignment and accelerate your leadership’s journey toward impactful decisions. These customized sessions guide boards beyond passive oversight into confident enablers of innovation, simplifying AI and analytics for real-world applications.
If your leadership is ready to shift from “data stuck” to “data smart”—fast—this is for you. Curious? Let’s build your next board strategy together. Learn more here.
Conclusion: Embracing the Future with Data
As we step into 2026, credit unions have a unique opportunity to redefine their approach to member engagement and operational efficiency. By setting clear, actionable data goals, organizations can not only enhance member experiences but also foster a culture of innovation and adaptability.
The Importance of Data in Today's Landscape
In today's fast-paced environment, data is more than just numbers; it is a vital resource. It informs decisions, drives strategies, and ultimately shapes the future of credit unions. Embracing a data-driven mindset is essential for staying competitive and relevant.
Building a Data-Driven Culture
Creating a culture that values data requires commitment from all levels of the organization. Leadership must champion data initiatives, while every employee should understand their role in leveraging data for better outcomes. Training and resources are crucial in empowering staff to utilize data effectively.
The Path Forward
The journey towards becoming a data-centric organization is ongoing. Regularly revisiting and refining data goals ensures that credit unions remain responsive to changing member needs and market dynamics. As we move forward, let’s commit to making data a cornerstone of our strategies.
In conclusion, 2026 holds immense potential for credit unions willing to embrace data as a strategic advantage. By focusing on member value, fostering organizational engagement, and remaining agile, credit unions can thrive in the evolving landscape. Here’s to a year of growth, innovation, and success through data-driven initiatives!