Credit Union Times

Telhio Credit Union has partnered with Rev1 Ventures, a Midwest venture studio focused on SaaS, AI, deep tech and life sciences, to support growth and innovation in Ohio. As a Rev1 Funding Partner, Telhio joined a network of more than 40 corporations focused on driving long-term impact through innovation. The role gives partners early access to emerging technologies, industry expertise and programming while supporting startups that create jobs and contribute to economic growth.

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For most credit unions, culture is one of the most misunderstood words in the English language. We overuse it. We misuse it. We abuse it. But the reality is that a strong culture leads to strong financials. The most successful credit unions in terms of financial performance often have the most successful cultures as well. Culture driven growth translates into improved member satisfaction and loyalty.

Two major annual credit union industry races took place on each coast on April 12, attracting thousands of participants and raising more than $700,000 for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. The Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run in Washington, D.C., and the Credit Union SACTOWN Run in Sacramento, Calif., each brought together credit union employees, members and community participants to support CMN hospitals.

The Seattle-based Verity Credit Union has launched Pathways to Wealth & Resources (PWR), a financial well-being program designed to help individuals and small businesses build financial stability. The program is free and does not require membership. The $735-million credit union is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) focused on expanding access to financial resources in underserved communities.

Sponsored by: Small and medium businesses (SMBs) are a major growth opportunity for credit unions, and the member relationships you already have give you a running start. But winning these relationships takes more than traditional business banking services. SMBs expect seamless digital experiences, tailored solutions, and efficient ways to manage payments, cash flow, and operations.

For years, signature verification has been viewed as a remnant of a paper-based banking era. As credit unions digitized onboarding, lending and payments, signatures felt outdated when compared to other biometric solutions, device intelligence and real-time identity verification systems. Yet market data suggests this assumption is changing. According to Strait Research, the global signature verification market will reach about $9.6 billion around 2030, growing at roughly a 25% compound annual rate.

Velera, a Tampa, Fla.-based payments CUSO, has expanded its Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) capabilities, enabling credit unions to offer installment options through two integrated solutions: Debit Flex Payments for debit purchases and Apple Pay's Pay with Installments for credit transactions. Consumer use of BNPL is expected to reach $3.7 trillion globally by 2030, according to Velera, and credit unions are seeing growing demand for short-term installment options.

For decades, the credit union movement was defined by its localism. Success was measured by how deeply an institution could serve a specific factory, municipality or county. But as we move through 2026, the strategic imperative has shifted.

The Defense Credit Union Council has added artificial intelligence lending provider Scienaptic AI to its Premier Circle Program, expanding the tools available to credit unions serving military and veteran communities. The Premier Circle Program is designed to build collaborations between DCUC and industry service providers offering products and services to its member credit unions, Anthony Hernandez, DCUC's president/CEO and a retired U.S. Air Force colonel, said.