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 #663 | | MembersCredit cards remain one of the most powerful tools for deepening member relationships, yet most consumers still turn to big banks when choosing a card. Why? Because credit unions are often invisible in the digital comparison journey. Filene’s latest FiLab Fintech report explores how seven credit unions tested CardFit’s comparison platform to change that dynamic, and what they learned about engagement, targeting, and the hidden barriers standing between interest and approval. -
Report #653 | | MembersGlobal Payment Innovations: A Research Brief for U.S. Credit Unions
*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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Webinar |Strategy and Planning Payments Attracting and Engaging Younger Members Artificial Intelligence InnovationFilene'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. -
Blog |Stablecoins and Credit Unions: Five Strategic Questions Leaders Should Be Debating Now
Stablecoins are quickly moving from crypto niche to mainstream payments conversation. As regulation and industry experimentation accelerate, credit union leaders must consider how stablecoins could reshape deposits, payments, and member relationships. This blog explores five strategic questions executives should be debating now to understand potential risks, opportunities, and the role credit unions may play in a more tokenized financial future. -
Member Exclusive Webinar |Trying to Understand the Latest on Real-Time Payments, Stablecoins and Tokenization? Learn About the Latest Payment Trends and How to Prepare for What’s Ahead.
This member-exclusive webinar unpacks the fast-moving world of real-time payments, stablecoins, tokenization, and the GENIUS Act to help credit union leaders cut through the noise. Filene Fellows Dr. Henry Kim and Dr. Lamont Black share the biggest opportunities, challenges, and strategic actions your credit union can take now to get ahead of what's coming. -
Blog |Webinar: Helping Credit Unions Navigate Payments Disruption: Introducing Filene's New Research Center
Review webinar materials from "Helping Credit Unions Navigate Payments Disruption: Introducing Filene's New Research Center," hosted February 24, 2026.