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 shouldn’t exist in isolation. They should tie directly to improving member lives. Whether it’s reducing friction, anticipating needs, or building trust, start with outcomes that matter most to your members.

Example: Set a goal to decrease call center wait times by 20% through data-informed self-service options.

2. Balance Quick Wins with Long-Term Plays

It’s tempting to chase the “big projects” right away. Instead, identify a mix of quick wins (to build confidence and momentum) and longer-term initiatives (to drive lasting transformation).

Example: A quick win could be cleaning and standardizing data fields. A long-term play might be developing predictive analytics for member financial wellness.

3. Make Goals Specific and Measurable

“Be more data-driven” isn’t a goal — it’s an aspiration. Specificity is where success is built. Attach metrics to your goals so you can track, celebrate, and adjust along the way.

Example: “Increase member adoption of digital banking tools by 15% through targeted insights.”

4. Engage the Entire Organization

Data goals are not just for IT or analysts. Every department, from lending to marketing to the front line, plays a role in achieving them. When everyone sees themselves in the strategy, alignment follows.

Example: Involve cross-functional teams in setting and reviewing goals so accountability is shared.

5. Embrace Agility

The data landscape evolves quickly — and so do member needs. Build flexibility into your goals so you can adapt as new tools, regulations, or opportunities emerge.

Example: Commit to revisiting your goals quarterly to adjust for market shifts or emerging member trends.

Looking Ahead to 2026

The clean slate of a new year is a gift. It allows credit unions to reframe challenges as opportunities, set intentional data goals, and prepare for a future where data is not just a tool but a strategic advantage.

At THRIVE, we help credit unions set and activate data goals that drive growth, efficiency, intelligence, and empowerment. If you’re ready to start fresh, explore how the THRIVE 90 program or the Data Activation Series can give your team the clarity and momentum to lead with data in 2026.

Here’s to new goals, new growth, and a year of thriving with data.

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Data & AI Priorities for Credit Unions in 2026

Credit unions are standing at an inflection point.

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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.

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