Meeting the moment: Our small but mighty credit unions

We were thrilled to participate in a 3-day Small Credit Solutions Summit co-hosted by the African-American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC). Over the course of a high-impact three-day summit, over 80 forward-thinking small credit union CEOs, board members, vendors, and industry experts came together to tackle some of the sector’s most pressing challenges, from evolving business models and strategic partnerships to succession planning and regulatory pressures. This immersive experience delivered practical tools, forged valuable collaborations, and charted a clear path toward building resilient, future-ready institutions. Celebrating the “small but mighty” mindset, the summit underscored the vital role of small credit unions in driving innovation, deepening community impact, and positioning themselves as agile, trusted partners in the broader financial landscape.

AACUC also conducted a pre-event survey that revealed five key themes believed to be shaping the future of small credit unions: cybersecurity readiness, member growth, revenue diversification, collaboration, and workforce development. Smaller credit unions often operate with a clearer focus regarding their budgets, which helps enable sharper decision-making and prioritization. Which, when discussing the key themes that emerged, present the perfect opportunity to lean into a deeper and more insightful dialogue exploring how other credit unions and some partner organizations are addressing these topics.

Cybersecurity, as one of the key themes, has drawn significant attention across industries. Many organizations are now approaching it as a business imperative rather than a purely technical issue. This shift in perspective has broadened the conversation around digital security and led to the adoption of best practices such as:

Other solutions being offered are Automated Cybersecurity Evaluation Toolbox and information security examination guides provided by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) and affordable tools like multi-factor authentication (MFA), endpoint detection, and continuous monitoring offered by managed security service providers (MSSPs).

Small credit unions are also grappling with an aging membership base. While member growth and marketing are top strategic goals, many traditional approaches fall short of reaching younger audiences.

Digital technology continues to be a powerful equalizer for credit unions of all sizes. Many are seeing significant increases in mobile user adoption and online account openings as they expand their digital capabilities. Tools that let members link their favorite fintech apps directly through the credit union’s digital platform and Instant Real-Time Payments (IRTP) are becoming must-haves: with 70% of Americans participating in gig work, IRTP ensures members receive deposits instantly, versus waiting 3–5 days.

Ultimately, all members increasingly expect digital convenience, and younger members consider it essential to their experience. Small credit unions don’t need big budgets—just the right tools, smart data use, and consistent communication.

Credit unions offer excellent member benefits, such as lower fees and higher returns, but they generate limited revenue, making the pursuit of new revenue opportunities essential. Some credit unions are experimenting with subscription-based banking models, offering perks like identity protection or higher interest rates for a monthly flat fee. Others are tapping into fintech partnerships to deliver early wage access, buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) solutions, or niche lending (e.g., solar loans, small business loans, or green home improvements).

Loan participation also allows small credit unions to share risk and gain revenue without overextending their balance sheets. By investing in modern payments infrastructure (e.g., P2P/B2B platforms), credit unions can boost interchange income while supporting real-time member needs.

For credit unions under $50M in assets, collaboration is not just helpful, it is essential. Shared service models, CUSOs, and vendor pooling can help small credit unions offer top-tier services without top-tier costs.

Collaboration also enables better marketing, loan participation networks, and shared back-office operations—all of which are increasingly necessary to survive in a competitive financial services landscape.

Many small credit unions operate with fewer than five full-time employees, making talent development and succession planning a top concern. Limited salary budgets don’t help—but purpose-driven cultures do.

The most successful small institutions emphasize:

As shared most recently during an AACUC-hosted webinar, even modest investments in training and employee experience can pay off in the long term.

VisiFI supports shared digital platforms and core processing models that dramatically reduce per-credit-union costs. Group-negotiated contracts for fraud detection, compliance software, and lending tools can improve margins while ensuring small credit unions stay competitive.

Despite the challenges they face, one of the most significant advantages small credit unions have is trust. Their deep community roots, personalized service, and member-first approach set them apart. With the right strategies and partnerships, smaller credit unions can continue to serve their members, not just survive but thrive. They can achieve this by embracing smart technology, sharing resources, and adopting innovative business models.

VisiFI is proud to partner with AACUC and its mission to support the ever-changing needs of the dynamic credit union community, which it serves. To learn more about how VisiFI helps credit unions accelerate growth and personalized services, please visit www.visifi.com.

Aisha Everett-Khalif
Senior Advisor of Communications & Engagement Execution
African-American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC)

Ashley Beach-Reid
Senior Advisor of Program Support Services
African-American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC)