This year will see a significant push for more concrete education on what an effective implementation of AI looks like, with more credit unions leaning on trusted partners for guidance. Such resources can also help determine which use cases and providers might best support a credit union’s unique needs and member base. This careful evaluation will be especially important as new AI players continue to flood the ecosystem, making the space more crowded and confusing for credit unions to navigate. More institutions will also fast track data initiatives this year, as ensuring strong data infrastructure, governance and analytical frameworks should precede any AI projects.

2. Security for credit unions and vendors takes center stage.

It’s no secret that the cybersecurity landscape has grown increasingly precarious with attacks multiplying in both sophistication and volume. This year, data security will remain a top focus, with priority given not only to protecting internal data and information but also ensuring vendor data management is up to par. Last year saw a surge in vendor data breaches, making it more critical than ever for credit unions to gain comprehensive insight into how their vendors are managing and safeguarding data. Moving forward, these conversations will include questions around how and if AI is being integrated in vendor solutions, ensuring that top security standards are upheld as new technologies are integrated.

3. More look to consultative partners to help navigate the complex fintech ecosystem.

The swift emergence of new technologies such as AI and the rising nuances of data security are only two of the challenges and opportunities faced by credit unions. To name a few others, they also must navigate the pressure to facilitate seamless, real-time payment experiences, expand business services, progress digital transformation and more. As a result, credit unions are challenged to keep pace due to limitations around time, resources and specialized expertise. In 2025, more credit unions will look to consultative partners to help vet and implement technology, prioritizing technology projects that are directly impactful to a credit union’s unique differentiator.

Credit unions that prioritize investments in process improvement and the tools needed to drive success will see the greatest efficiencies. There will be an uptick in process mapping and redesign consulting in particular, an exercise in which a credit union’s current processes are evaluated and documented and then reconfigured and mapped out to make operations more efficient, streamlined and aligned with overarching organizational goals. After all, optimizing routine tasks can deliver quick wins, and strategically streamlining workflows enhances productivity while ensuring everyone is pulling in the same direction. Such efforts help position credit unions to remain competitive and ready for the future.

Even though no one can predict exactly what this year will hold, what credit unions can control is how they prepare – those that carefully evaluate new technologies such as AI, double down on security protocols for themselves and their vendors, and seek specialized expertise in the form of trusted consultative partners will be best positioned for success. Doing so will help ensure credit unions remain the preferred institution for members as they continue to grow and succeed.