Most times credit unions and labor unions co-exist with no problems, but as clearly demonstrated in well-publicized difficulties between several credit unions and the labor unions representing their staffs, sometimes they can be at each other's throats. One obvious result is bad relations between unionized employees and management and the...
The past several weeks have been among the busiest times for national CU trade group staffers and elected leaders. While many credit unions tend to operate in a slightly lower gear between Christmas and New Years, those representing credit unions at the national level must continue to operate at full...
Hundreds of men and women have been bestowed with the informal title of credit union industry leader. In reality, many never actually led. They were automatically categorized as leaders by virtue of leadership positions they held. When Ed Callahan retired as CEO of Patelco Credit Union on December 31st, his...
It's another brand new year and time once again to drag out the old crystal ball. Here are my annual predictions: First, the easy ones. Credit union growth in all key areas will be unprecedented in 2003. Loan portfolios will continue to look more like the old savings and loans...
Seems like only yesterday that I went out on a limb to predict what the world of credit unions would look like in the year 2002. How did I do? Being an eternal optimist, I predicted that the overall economy would improve as 2002 unfolded. It did a bit but...
Lobbyists for the numerous banking industry trade associations, in an ongoing effort to justify their existence, are not satisfied with banks having by far the largest slice of the financial services industry pie. They obviously want it all! Thus it is not surprising that collectively they went ballistic when the...
There's more to the story that Patelco Credit Union, a $2.9 billion state-chartered CU based in San Francisco, converted from NCUSIF to private insurance (ASI) than the fact that they actually did it. For one thing, Patelco's recent bold action (following two years of studying such a move) may have...
Despite all the credit union industry time, talent, political capital, and money put into getting the latest in a long line of bankruptcy reform bills passed, the measure still died. The Senate adjourned for the final time this year last Wednesday night without ever considering the stripped down version passed...
If there was any doubt that credit unions have once and for all shed their cautious approach to bare knuckle politics, and seemingly overnight become a major player in the rock `em, sock `em political action process, there should be none after analyzing the outcome of the state and national...
One of the personal joys of writing a weekly column of opinion for Credit Union Times every single week since April, 1990, is both getting candid reader reactions, but also observing the emergence of developments related to the various topics covered here. For example, NAFCU's CEO Fred Becker took me...

From Elan Credit Card
Rising fraud, digital demand, and regulatory pressure are reshaping credit card programs. Discover what it takes to maintain a competitive card program and why many credit unions are reconsidering in-house issuing.
Download Resource
From Alkami Technology
Gen Z wants clarity, Millennials want coordination, and Baby Boomers want protection. This report breaks down the unique digital banking needs of each generation to help you build loyalty and grow relationships across your account holder base.
Download Resource
From Alkami Technology
The gap between digital leaders and followers in business banking is widening. This 2026 update to the Digital Maturity Model reveals how AI, automation, and data are separating the pack. Download the report to see where you stand and how to get ahead.
Download Resource
From Bankjoy
Opening new accounts isn't the challenge for credit unions--turning them into primary relationships is. This white paper reveals why integrating financial wellness and fraud protection is the key to deepening member trust and driving revenue.
Download Resource
From Bankjoy
For every digital checking application completed, over three are abandoned. This whitepaper explores how community institutions can fix this leak, turning more applicants into loyal account holders and driving sustainable growth.
Download Resource
From Alkami Technology
The 7th edition of this report provides critical benchmarks for retail and business digital banking. Discover where FIs are succeeding, where they're falling short, and how your institution measures up against the competition.
Download Resource
From Alkami Technology
Generational shifts and rising digital expectations are reshaping banking. This playbook provides the strategies to win with a unified digital sales and service platform, moving from reactive service to proactive, anticipatory banking.
Download Resource
From Picus Security
With AI-driven attacks on the rise, meeting NCUA Part 748 cybersecurity requirements is more critical than ever. This guide provides practical steps for credit unions to replace security assumptions with evidence-based validation.
Download Resource
From Picus Security
Credit union security teams face major threats with limited resources. This solution brief outlines how continuous security validation helps you prove which attacks would succeed, fix gaps, and answer every examiner question with evidence.
Download Resource
From Picus Security
Your credit union has security controls, but can you prove they work against modern threats? This handbook provides a roadmap to move beyond compliance and build an evidence-based security program that protects your members and meets NCUA rules.
Download Resource
From Elan Credit Card
Digital engagement now determines which credit cards consumers choose, use, and keep. This new report from PYMNTS and Elan Credit Card reveals why the mobile app is becoming as important as the card itself.
Download Resource
From Elan Credit Card
Scale modern merchant services without adding internal infrastructure. Learn how a relationship‑driven merchant model can help your financial institution enhance revenue and loyalty with small businesses.
Download Resource
From Elan Credit Card
Did you know that nearly three-quarters of all banking interactions now happen through digital channels? A well-designed mobile banking app is no longer optional -- it’s essential.
Download Resource
From Elan Credit Card
Virtual cards are the next phase of digital payments with 42% of consumers using one within the past 6 months. Learn more about the growing payment method in this new report.
Download Resource
From Elan Credit Card
Nearly one-third of consumers don’t know their credit score or how to improve it. With financial planning tools, educational resources, and one-on-one support, credit unions deepen their impact with members while helping them meet their broader financial goals.
Download Resource
From Elan Credit Card
Rising fraud, digital demand, and regulatory pressure are reshaping credit card programs. Discover what it takes to maintain a competitive card program and why many credit unions are reconsidering in-house issuing.
Download Resource
From Alkami Technology
Gen Z wants clarity, Millennials want coordination, and Baby Boomers want protection. This report breaks down the unique digital banking needs of each generation to help you build loyalty and grow relationships across your account holder base.
Download Resource
From Alkami Technology
The gap between digital leaders and followers in business banking is widening. This 2026 update to the Digital Maturity Model reveals how AI, automation, and data are separating the pack. Download the report to see where you stand and how to get ahead.
Download Resource
From Bankjoy
Opening new accounts isn't the challenge for credit unions--turning them into primary relationships is. This white paper reveals why integrating financial wellness and fraud protection is the key to deepening member trust and driving revenue.
Download Resource
From Bankjoy
For every digital checking application completed, over three are abandoned. This whitepaper explores how community institutions can fix this leak, turning more applicants into loyal account holders and driving sustainable growth.
Download Resource
From Alkami Technology
The 7th edition of this report provides critical benchmarks for retail and business digital banking. Discover where FIs are succeeding, where they're falling short, and how your institution measures up against the competition.
Download Resource
From Alkami Technology
Generational shifts and rising digital expectations are reshaping banking. This playbook provides the strategies to win with a unified digital sales and service platform, moving from reactive service to proactive, anticipatory banking.
Download Resource
From Picus Security
With AI-driven attacks on the rise, meeting NCUA Part 748 cybersecurity requirements is more critical than ever. This guide provides practical steps for credit unions to replace security assumptions with evidence-based validation.
Download Resource
From Picus Security
Credit union security teams face major threats with limited resources. This solution brief outlines how continuous security validation helps you prove which attacks would succeed, fix gaps, and answer every examiner question with evidence.
Download Resource
From Picus Security
Your credit union has security controls, but can you prove they work against modern threats? This handbook provides a roadmap to move beyond compliance and build an evidence-based security program that protects your members and meets NCUA rules.
Download Resource
From Elan Credit Card
Digital engagement now determines which credit cards consumers choose, use, and keep. This new report from PYMNTS and Elan Credit Card reveals why the mobile app is becoming as important as the card itself.
Download Resource
From Elan Credit Card
Scale modern merchant services without adding internal infrastructure. Learn how a relationship‑driven merchant model can help your financial institution enhance revenue and loyalty with small businesses.
Download Resource
From Elan Credit Card
Did you know that nearly three-quarters of all banking interactions now happen through digital channels? A well-designed mobile banking app is no longer optional -- it’s essential.
Download Resource
From Elan Credit Card
Virtual cards are the next phase of digital payments with 42% of consumers using one within the past 6 months. Learn more about the growing payment method in this new report.
Download Resource
From Elan Credit Card
Nearly one-third of consumers don’t know their credit score or how to improve it. With financial planning tools, educational resources, and one-on-one support, credit unions deepen their impact with members while helping them meet their broader financial goals.
Download Resource
From Elan Credit Card
Rising fraud, digital demand, and regulatory pressure are reshaping credit card programs. Discover what it takes to maintain a competitive card program and why many credit unions are reconsidering in-house issuing.
Download Resource