The strategic decisions credit unions make in the coming months and years will determine the industry's ability to compete in an ever-changing financial services landscape. Avoiding innovation or not adopting new technologies is no longer an option if we wish to remain competitive.

Perhaps the most exciting prospect of embracing innovation and moving forward is that credit unions already subscribe to the fundamental element of future success: Collaboration.

Collaboration is the foundation of both our past and future. Shared service partnerships are in our DNA and have been a part of almost every major success within our industry. It is how credit unions have created scale in a commoditized business. It's a matter of perspective and the ability to view these partnerships through a different lens. Our partnerships with the trades, leagues, CO-OP Financial Services, shared branches, PSCU and other CUSOs serve as a blueprint for the credit unions' forward vision.