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The Challenge: Credit Unions Are Navigating a Faster, More Complex Landscape With Less Room for Error and Fewer Resources to Spare.

Kim Lear | Founder, Inlay Insights
Filene's Answer: We Do The Work. You Act With Confidence. Peer-Tested, Built With Credit Unions, For Credit Unions.
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Advancing financial well-being by strengthening credit unions

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Research & Thinking

Research is our middle name, but there is so much more to it than you might think
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Innovations & Incubators

The future of financial services is changing and credit unions have always been innovators
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Events & Activities

Team up and collaborate with hundreds of your peers here; it's what credit unions do
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Questions

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Join us in asking and answering today's big questions.

Blog |
Financial Well-being Artificial Intelligence

Thinking Forward: What Happens When AI Becomes Your Members’ Financial Advisor?

As more members turn to AI for answers about their financial lives, credit unions have an opportunity to clarify the role only they can play. This piece explores how credit unions can stay relevant in this new reality and focus their efforts where they can make the biggest difference: helping members achieve better financial outcomes, not just gain financial knowledge.
Blog |
Differentiation and Storytelling

To Tell a Better Story, Credit Unions Need to Rediscover Who They Are

Credit unions know they are well liked when they are known, but the industry struggles to shake their “best kept secret" status. In Dr. Jonathan Zhang’s first blog for Filene's newest Center, Differentiation & Storytelling, he brings together Filene research and his own work on purpose, trust, and influencer marketing to outline the value in clearly identifying what makes your credit union distinct to better serve current, and prospective, members.
Blog |

Standing Out in a Crowded Products Landscape

As financial products become increasingly similar, standing out requires more than rates and features. Filene analyzed products from leading digital banks, national banks, and credit unions to identify three successful differentiation strategies, and what it means for credit unions looking to remain relevant and competitive.

Blog |
Differentiation and Storytelling

To Tell a Better Story, Credit Unions Need to Rediscover Who They Are

Credit unions know they are well liked when they are known, but the industry struggles to shake their “best kept secret" status. In Dr. Jonathan Zhang’s first blog for Filene's newest Center, Differentiation & Storytelling, he brings together Filene research and his own work on purpose, trust, and influencer marketing to outline the value in clearly identifying what makes your credit union distinct to better serve current, and prospective, members.
Blog |
Differentiation and Storytelling

Tackling the Challenges of Differentiation and Storytelling for Credit Unions: Lessons Learned from the Fellow Selection Process

For credit unions, standing out requires more than a better message—it requires a meaningful point of difference. Drawing on insights from Filene’s search for the Fellow of the Center of Excellence for Differentiation & Storytelling, this blog post delivers insights on how credit unions can identify what sets them apart, determine where and with whom their story will have the greatest impact, and leverage existing communities to spread their reach.

Blog |
Differentiation and Storytelling

To Tell a Better Story, Credit Unions Need to Rediscover Who They Are

Credit unions know they are well liked when they are known, but the industry struggles to shake their “best kept secret" status. In Dr. Jonathan Zhang’s first blog for Filene's newest Center, Differentiation & Storytelling, he brings together Filene research and his own work on purpose, trust, and influencer marketing to outline the value in clearly identifying what makes your credit union distinct to better serve current, and prospective, members.
Blog |
Differentiation and Storytelling

Tackling the Challenges of Differentiation and Storytelling for Credit Unions: Lessons Learned from the Fellow Selection Process

For credit unions, standing out requires more than a better message—it requires a meaningful point of difference. Drawing on insights from Filene’s search for the Fellow of the Center of Excellence for Differentiation & Storytelling, this blog post delivers insights on how credit unions can identify what sets them apart, determine where and with whom their story will have the greatest impact, and leverage existing communities to spread their reach.
Blog |

Standing Out in a Crowded Products Landscape

As financial products become increasingly similar, standing out requires more than rates and features. Filene analyzed products from leading digital banks, national banks, and credit unions to identify three successful differentiation strategies, and what it means for credit unions looking to remain relevant and competitive.

Latest Research from Filene

View All Research
Report #679 | Members
Financial Well-being Benchmarking and Key Performance Indicators

People Helping People: Benchmarking Member and Employee Well-Being

Drawing on findings from the Center for Member Well-Being’s benchmarking survey, this report examines credit unions’ efforts to promote financial well-being and other aspects of well-being among members and employees. It highlights promising practices, gaps in organizational capabilities, and practical opportunities to strengthen support, measure impact, and turn the cooperative mission into meaningful improvements in people’s lives.
Report #678 |
Artificial Intelligence Innovation Payments

What I Learned While Looking for the Credit Union of the Future

The credit union of the future will be shaped by technology, but its enduring advantage will remain distinctly human: its cooperative model and commitment to serving people. This report offers a forward-looking perspective on how credit unions can respond to evolving member expectations, embrace emerging technologies, and strengthen the cooperative advantage that will set them apart in the future.
Report #676 |
Financial Well-being

Employer-Sponsored Small-Dollar Loans

Employer-Sponsored Small-Dollar Loan (ESSDL) programs empower credit unions and other FIs to collaborate with employers to help employees meet their financial needs. ESSDL programs provide an alternative to high-cost borrowing options, while potentially building employees’ credit or helping them start saving. This report examines the current landscape of ESSDL programs from credit union, employer, and borrower perspectives, with important lessons learned and best practices for implementation.

Blog

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Events

Webinar |
Attracting and Engaging Younger Members Innovation Financial Well-being

Seven Innovations. Real Tests. Real Results. How AI, New Platforms, and Bold Experiments Are Shaping the Future of Credit Unions

Filene's FiLab ran seven bold experiments testing AI, new platforms, and fresh ideas against the real challenges credit unions face today, and the results are finally in. Join us for an exclusive first look at what worked, what didn't, and what's ready to scale, plus a sneak peek at the innovative tests the FiLab community has selected for 2027.
Member Exclusive Webinar |

Designing Digital Experiences That Matter: Why Data is the Key for Credit Unions

Credit unions are transforming digitally right now, and the ones pulling ahead share one thing in common: they put member data at the center of every decision. Join us for this member-exclusive session to explore how a strong data strategy can help your credit union design more personalized member experiences, sharpen operations, and build a smarter digital future.
Event |

Crash Program — big.bright.minds. 2026

  • Kaeshier Fernandez

New Orleans, LA

Rising credit union leaders: join Filene this December in New Orleans to "crash" big.bright.minds. — three days of original research, fintech showcases, and peer connections in the single richest room in the movement. Apply now!
Event |

big.bright.minds. 2026

New Orleans, LA

As Filene's premier annual event, we bring together the most forward-thinking credit union leaders in the country to share our latest research and foster powerful connections across the community. This year, for the first time, we have entered into a partnership with Money20/20, the world's leading fintech show, to bringing the broader financial services ecosystem directly to our attendees.
Webinar |
Strategy and Planning Payments Attracting and Engaging Younger Members Artificial Intelligence Innovation

Filene's Major Predictions for Credit Unions in 2027

As the year closes, Filene leaders are sharing their boldest predictions to help credit union leaders cut through the noise and focus on what matters most heading into 2027. Join us for a forward-looking session packed with trend insights and practical guidance so you can end the year with clarity and start 2027 with confidence.
Event |

Crash Program — Governmental Affairs Conference 2027

  • Kaeshier Fernandez

Washington D.C.

We select rising credit union professionals from across the country — ideally one from every state — to Crash the movement's biggest stage. The Governmental Affairs Conference is the credit union industry's largest advocacy event, and Crashers come ready to engage. Through a jam-packed week of dedicated Crash Sessions, participants are immersed in the conference, the movement, and the moment — culminating in a "Hill Hike" to advocate directly for credit unions with their state's legislators.