Payments
Payments are at the core of the member experience, shaping how people move money, shop and interact with their financial institutions. As technology, regulation and consumer expectations rapidly evolve credit unions must adapt their payments strategy to remain relevant, competitive and trusted in an increasingly digital financial landscape.
Why it matters
Payments are a strategic battleground for credit unions, representing both a major source of revenue and a critical touchpoint that drives member loyalty. As competitors from fintechs and non-traditional financial institutions continue to innovate, credit unions must ensure their payments strategy aligns with their broader growth goals, risk management priorities, and member experience objectives. The speed of change in technology, regulation, and consumer behavior means that payments are no longer just about transactions—they are about positioning the credit union as a trusted, modern financial partner.
Filene delivers the latest research and insights to help credit union leaders make confident, future-focused decisions in this space. From understanding market shifts and regulatory impacts to testing real-world solutions through our incubation programs, Filene equips executives with the knowledge and resources they need to evaluate opportunities, mitigate risks, and drive competitive advantage. With Filene as a partner, credit unions can advance payment strategies that not only meet member expectations today but also anticipate the needs of tomorrow.
Research in this topic
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Report #653 | | Members*25-Minute Read: Co-designed with the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU), this brief aims to deliver an in-depth report that compares leading payment innovations worldwide, analyzes the technological and regulatory drivers behind these advancements, and derives actionable lessons for U.S. credit unions by examining models and regulatory environments from selected countries. -
Report #650 | | MembersSIMPLE Payments: Six Consumer Payment Trends Credit Unions Must Embrace
The future of payments is here, and credit unions must move fast to keep up. The SIMPLE Payments framework reveals six important trends reshaping how members pay and interact with money. This brief shows how credit unions can embed payments into daily life, deliver real-time experiences, and thrive in a digital-first world. -
Report #622 |Year Two FiLab Results: Flow
Competition in the payments space continues to heat up. That's why FiLab partnered with Flow to test their platform on its ability to enable credit unions to communicate with the members when they are most engaged—at the point of sale with their card.
More opportunities
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Blog |Leading the Payments Evolution: Welcome to Filene's Center for All Things Payments
The payments landscape is transforming faster than ever. Members now expect money to move instantly at 2 AM, buy products without leaving AI chat windows, and access seamless payment experiences everywhere they go. Meanwhile, stablecoins, embedded finance, and evolving fraud tactics are reshaping the competitive playing field. Read on to learn how Filene's new Center for All Things Payments will help you meet your members' expectations and turn disruption into your strategic advantage. -
Research Event |Filene's 2026 Inner Circle Symposium
Scottsdale, AZ
The Inner Circle Symposium is an exclusive, C-level focused gathering where Filene's Inner Circle members gain first access to our newest research and FiLab innovation results, offering actionable strategies to tackle today's biggest challenges facing credit unions. -
Webinar |Helping Credit Unions Navigate Payments Disruption: Introducing Filene's New Research Center
Get an exclusive first look at Filene's new Center for All Things Payments and learn about its three-year research journey to help credit unions navigate the payments disruption that is reshaping the industry. -
Blog |Payments Attracting and Engaging Younger Members Artificial Intelligence Financial Well-being Board Governancebig.bright.minds. 2025 Recap
Last month over 400 credit union leaders and industry experts gathered in Nashville, making it our biggest big.bright.minds. event to date! Thank you so much to our members and supporters for making it a resounding success due to your incredible energy and invaluable insights. Let's celebrate the highlights with a recap of the key sessions presented by our Filene Fellows!