In this episode of Shared Accounts With CU Times, Michael Ogden sits down with Chuck Fagan, president/CEO of Velera, for a wide-ranging discussion on the future of payments and competition in financial services. Fagan shares his perspective on why payments have become the front door to the member relationship, how credit unions should think about data as strategic infrastructure, and what the rise of AI and buy-now-pay-later could mean for the industry. He also goes deeper into his thoughts on the interchange issue coming out of Illinois and how the credit union industry should be very concerned about what's coming after the June 1 deadline.   

The conversation also turns to what operating leverage may look like for credit unions by the end of the decade, as automation, real-time payments and new consumer expectations reshape how institutions serve members. Fagan closes with a few personal reflections, sharing stories from his early career and a glimpse at the experiences that helped shape his leadership perspective and movie-going experience today. 

Yes, those two things are connected. Take a listen!