The 1960s routine just doesn't cut it anymore. Yes, deposits, assets, loans and even memberships are growing, but only at the nation's largest credit unions – the ones that can afford to have work done.

Americans continue to find the nation's largest 100 banks appealing. What do they see in them? Are they willing to be treated badly in favor of a pretty face?

Yes, they are.

Plus, every year new sexy, nonbank competitors catch the eye of consumers. It doesn't seem that long ago when new kid on the block PayPal was only a mild threat. Now, unbundled payment apps like Apple Pay, Facebook Messenger, Square, Tilt and Dwolla (thank god, one of ours) perform exotic moves like P2P and crowd funding effortlessly, like twerking teenagers.

Meanwhile, most credit unions can barely launch a mobile app without throwing out their backs.

They say spot exercise doesn't work, but credit unions could tackle two problem areas – charter and technology – and see impressive results.

The NCUA board and staff, bless their hearts, are trying to help. The agency's field of membership modernization rule will probably be finalized sometime this summer, and could relax statistical area, core area, service facility, contractor and other requirements. That's helpful, but it's kind of like growing out your bangs to cover forehead wrinkles. If you're a woman, you know the humidity in Washington makes bangs impossible. The Federal Credit Union Act will ultimately frizz the NCUA's good intentions.

Meaningful charter makeover has to come from Congress. Americans, especially young ones, no longer relate to common bonds like live, work and worship. They bond in belief and behavior-based communities.

Not only should credit unions offer products and services that allow millennials to contribute time and money to causes they care about, the entire membership structure must reflect this mindset.

It's ridiculous that Equality Credit Union, established to serve the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities, still hasn't opened. The cooperative's founders said some credit unions have been unwilling to lend a hand to help fund the millions of dollars required to adequately capitalize it.

One CEO of a multi-billion dollar credit union told Equality founder Phillip Endicott the credit union wasn't necessary because his employees have been trained to turn a blind eye to differences.

Endicott properly observed that was a very old school approach to discrimination. Colorblind is over; these days, people celebrate what makes them different.

According to a recent Filene report, the LGBTQ community still faces financial discrimination.

Yes, LGBTQ Americans join credit unions by qualifying for membership through employment. However, in 29 states Americans can still legally be fired for being gay. And in those states credit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity isn't illegal.

Attitudes in Washington toward gay marriage have changed drastically. Even former Vice President Dick Cheney said freedom means freedom for everyone when speaking about his daughter's marriage to her longtime partner.

Credit unions should ride that political and legal wave to advance charter reform on Capitol Hill. Asking legislators to rewrite the FCUA and eliminate common bond requirements because credit unions want to make more capital available to Main Street is a noble approach, but it's not working. The credit union charter should be modernized because it's what Americans want and need today.

Politicians want to engage millennials just like everyone else. Focusing on the issues important to them will beat the bankers.

And on the heels of the Supreme Court's same-sex marriage ruling last year, no federal judge wants to rule on the wrong side of that constitutional right.

Credit unions also need to firm up the way they use technology. It's not just about retail delivery; technology needs to support cooperative engagement. Perhaps there are credit unions that conduct online, interactive annual meetings, but after considerable effort, CU Times couldn't find one. If credit unions want to serve millennials, they can't expect them to wear a tie to the country club and pay for a steak dinner in order to flex their democratic muscles. Entry-level millennials also can't take time off from work to attend an annual meeting strategically scheduled during working hours so nobody shows up to vote out incumbent board members.

Instead, annual meetings should include an option to attend and vote online, not only using desktop computers, but tablets and phones.

Until credit unions have embraced the use of technology to serve everyone, Congress won't grant them that privilege.