Innovation

Innovation goes beyond having the latest technology, it's the degree to which an institution delivers a member experience that is creative, pioneering, and leading the market. Also, creating differentiation based on having unique solutions that benefit society and the environment.

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Why it matters

Innovation matters to credit unions because it has a demonstrated relationship to member loyalty, which translates into better financial performance resulting from higher member retention and share of wallet. Credit union members are generally more loyal than bank customers, but more innovative credit unions have higher member loyalty than credit unions that are perceived to be less innovative.

Creating an Innovation Strategy that Drives Differentiation and Member Loyalty: Results from the 2nd Annual Credit Union Innovation Success Study

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Research in this topic

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Report #680 | Sep 28, 2026
Payments Artificial Intelligence Innovation

The New Money Movement Landscape
- McKaye Black
Agentic payments are beginning to shift commerce from “click-to-pay” to “decide-to-pay.” As AI agents gain the ability to act within delegated authority, credit unions will need to think differently about authorization, authentication, controls, and accountability.
Report #678 | Sep 2, 2026
Artificial Intelligence Innovation Payments

What I Learned While Looking for the Credit Union of the Future
- Lamont Black
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 #668 | May 28, 2026
Innovation

Results Overview of Filene's Center of Excellence for Innovation & Incubation
- Jeffrey Robinson
This report captures the impact of the Center of Excellence for Innovation & Incubation, led by Filene Fellow Dr. Jeffrey Robinson. Through testing and learning, the Center helped establish innovation as a core competency across the credit union industry, with two major contributions: the launch of the Credit Union Innovation Success Study and the evolution of FiLab, both ongoing mechanisms advancing innovation and delivering value to members.
Report #665 | Apr 23, 2026
Innovation Financial Well-being

2025 FiLab Results: Silvur
- Maddie Gunderson
- Bella Scott
One of the six solutions selected for the 2025 FiLab testing phase focused on supporting members through one of the most complex transitions they will face, retirement. Silvur is a white-labeled digital platform that guides members through Social Security, Medicare, and retirement income decisions, to test whether retirement education delivered through the credit union channel could deepen member relationships and support asset retention at a critical life stage.

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Blog | Sep 2, 2026
Payments Artificial Intelligence Innovation Financial Well-being

From Pitch to Proof: Inside the 2026 FiLab Symposium
- McKaye Black
At the 2026 FiLab Symposium in Kansas City, credit union leaders, fintech innovators and strategic partners came together to help shape FiLab’s 2027 testing agenda. The focus was not just on the best pitch, but on which ideas could answer meaningful questions, explore emerging technology and create useful learning for credit unions. Now, the selected solutions will move from possibility to proof through real-world testing, with the 2027 Testing Menu set to be announced in mid-October.
Blog | Aug 24, 2026
Payments Artificial Intelligence Innovation Financial Well-being

Meet the 27 Semifinalists Advancing Toward FiLab’s 2027 Test Menu
- Megan Freshour
FiLab's 2027 cycle drew 120+ submissions — a 39% jump over 2025 and the largest applicant pool in FiLab's history, with 77% from first-time applicants. Twenty-five fintechs and two Discovery Tests have advanced to sponsor evaluation: 27 test ideas spanning member growth, lending, fraud protection, operations, and member intelligence. Meet the semifinalists and stay tuned to see what happens when sponsors vote in Kansas City this week.
Blog | Aug 6, 2026
Innovation

Filene Research Institute and Money20/20 Announce Strategic Partnership to Connect Credit Unions with the Global Fintech Ecosystem
The future of financial services is not waiting, and neither should credit unions. That is why Filene is partnering with Money20/20, the world’s leading fintech show, to bring our members closer to the ideas, innovators, and industry conversations shaping what comes next. It all begins this fall.
Blog | Apr 29, 2026
Artificial Intelligence Strategy and Planning Innovation

Thinking Forward: When Your Member's AI Picks the Financial Product, Will It Pick You?
AI agents are already choosing financial products for consumers, and most credit unions don't know they're not included in consideration. The infrastructure isn't coming; it's live. And the trust advantage credit unions spent decades building? It doesn't translate automatically. Here's what that means, and what to do about it.

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Innovation

Why it matters

Research in this topic

The New Money Movement Landscape

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

Results Overview of Filene's Center of Excellence for Innovation & Incubation

2025 FiLab Results: Silvur

More opportunities

From Pitch to Proof: Inside the 2026 FiLab Symposium

Meet the 27 Semifinalists Advancing Toward FiLab’s 2027 Test Menu

Filene Research Institute and Money20/20 Announce Strategic Partnership to Connect Credit Unions with the Global Fintech Ecosystem

Thinking Forward: When Your Member's AI Picks the Financial Product, Will It Pick You?

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