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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 |
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 #673 |
Financial Well-being

Results Overview of Filene's Center of Excellence for Community Social Impact

This report highlights the impact from our Center of Excellence for Community Social Impact. Led by Dr. Mai Thi Nguyen, the work from this center focused on helping credit unions move beyond isolated philanthropy to become strategic drivers of community change community change including addressing complex challenges on housing, disaster resilience, and financial inclusion.
Report #671 | Members
Non-Interest Income Strategy and Planning

Beyond ROI: How Credit Unions Realize Strategic Value from CUSO Investments

Credit unions face growing pressure to innovate, meet evolving member expectations, and access capabilities that are increasingly difficult to build independently. This report delves into how leaders can utilize their CUSO investments to produce meaningful outcomes beyond their traditional cost-sharing and capacity building functions.

Blog

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Events

Webinar |
Attracting and Engaging Younger Members Strategy and Planning

Personalization That Pays Off: How Credit Unions Are Turning Smarter Segmentation into Deeper Relationships and Higher Balances

Your members aren't all the same. Stop marketing like they are. In this webinar we'll explore how credit unions are using Member Pulse to drive smarter segmentation and personalized member engagement. Delivering real-world strategies, no theory, just proven tactics that deepen relationships and grow balances.
Member Exclusive Webinar |
Financial Well-being

Financial Stress Is Rising, Are Your Members Feeling It? How Credit Unions Can Turn Financial Well-Being into Loyalty, Trust, and Growth

Financial stress is reshaping how members engage with their finances and credit unions that understand this shift are uniquely positioned to drive growth. Join Filene Fellow Dr. Mat Despard to discover how your credit union can turn member financial well-being into a powerful driver of loyalty, trust, and long-term growth.
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. Applications open soon.
Event |

big.bright.minds. 2026

New Orleans, LA

Every year, courtesy of our presenting sponsors, Filene brings together credit unions from across the U.S.: CEOs, board members, and the employees designing the future of credit unions. Add in our Filene Fellows and industry thinkers whose work is reshaping the industry, the next generation of leaders through Crashers, and the fintechs building the tools that will define the next decade, and you have the single richest room in the movement.
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.