The dinosaurs didn't have the brains or the tools to see it coming, but credit unions do. Fiserv's Mark Sievewright discussed ISIS among other threats to credit unions last week at the New Jersey Credit Union Leagues' Reality Check conference. CUNA Mutual's John Lass told attendees, credit unions are under a serious threat as financial delivery services evolve rapidly, and at least in the ISIS case, credit unions aren't even at the table. He did add that CUNA Mutual is working on that.

Several interlocking pieces to this puzzle can help credit unions to get to the point that they're actually invited rather than fighting to be an afterthought.

First there's the principle of 'fake it, till you make it.' Convince yourself you're as good as you think you are. Then, if you're not there, get there fast. Credit unions have long suffered from self-esteem issues. Many, though not enough, are beginning to emerge from that mindset. Those that are, keep working at it. The rest of you, please speak out. If the industry isn't included at the table of something that could be as monumental as ISIS, dramatic changes for the community lie ahead and they aren't pretty.