Waiting in teller lines used to be just that – waiting. Gone are the days of casual small talk with other patiently waiting members. Today, consumers simply whip out their smartphones to pass the time – a true indicator we are thoroughly entrenched in the digital age.

Members increasingly look to their credit unions to meet, if not exceed, their digital expectations. Coastal Federal Credit Union recognizes the importance of innovation in its digital strategy. In fact, the North Carolina-based credit union has discovered three sure-fire ways to meet members’ evolving needs.

• Provide robust online, mobile service. With 62 percent of Americans using digital banking as their primary banking method, incorporating online and mobile-friendly service into their offerings is a must for credit unions. At Coastal, this is already taking place. “It’s critically important because, in a day when your expenses continue to increase as a percentage every year, you have to find a way to have cost-effective solutions while still giving the members a really good service,” said Kristopher Kovacs, Coastal’s Chief Information Officer. “Digital gives us the best way to do that.”

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