Madison, WI (July 30, 2025) |
Filene Research Institute is excited to announce that registration is now open for its signature event, big.bright.minds.2025, presented by Origence. This premier credit union event takes place December 2–4, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee and is designed for credit union CEOs, executives, board members, and innovation and strategy leaders.
Filene members at the Innovator-level and above are invited to register now at filene.org/bbm25. As an exclusive benefit of membership, there is no registration fee for eligible organizations. Thinker-level members and non-members interested in attending can contact Filene’s membership team at engage@filene.org to explore options.
Driving Distinction Through Common Threads
At big.bright.minds.2025, Filene’s thought leaders and research fellows explore what credit unions uniquely bring to the financial landscape. This year’s theme, “Driving Distinction Through Common Threads,” honors the values that set credit unions apart and dives into how they can be leveraged to:
- Attract and engage younger members
- Differentiate in a crowded, digital-first marketplace
- Build relevancy and trust through enhanced member well-being
Credit unions’ common threads—centering well-being, the people-helping-people philosophy, concern for community, and collaboration—are more than simple values. They are the engine of credit union innovation, resilience, and relevance in a rapidly changing world. Leveraging this, credit unions can become beacons of trust, stability, and transformation—desired outcomes that cannot be commoditized.
“big.bright.minds. is where the credit union industry comes together to reflect, recharge, and reimagine what’s possible,” said Christie Kimbell, Executive Vice President at Filene Research Institute. “This year’s theme reminds us that our shared values are not just what make us different—they’re what make us distinct. We’re proud to offer this experience as a benefit to our members and grateful to our sponsors for helping us expand access.”
Last Year's Attendance
Filene’s big.bright.minds.2024 saw a remarkable turnout with a total of 359 attendees from 176 unique organizations. Among them were 30 CEOs, representing 17% of the organizations present, and numerous decision-makers from credit unions with over $1 billion in assets.
An attendee provided this testimonial: “Attending big.bright.minds.2024 was a transformative experience for me and my team. The sessions were incredibly insightful, and the networking opportunities were invaluable. We left the event with new ideas and strategies that we have already started implementing in our credit union. I can't wait to see what big.bright.minds.2025 has in store!”
Thank You, Sponsors
Filene sends a heartfelt thank you to big.bright.minds.2025 title sponsor, Origence, for making it possible to bring this premier industry event to more people this year. Filene also extends gratitude to silver sponsor, State National Companies, and supporting sponsors Abacus and Momentum.
Organizations interested in joining this prestigious group of sponsors can view remaining sponsorship opportunities at filene.org/bbm25.
Origence's title sponsorship plays a crucial role in fostering innovation and collaboration within the credit union system. By supporting big.bright.minds.2025, Origence is expanding access to new ideas, creating lasting impact, and driving change for years to come. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to engage directly with some of the nation's best academics and researchers, gaining insights that will shape the future of the credit union industry.
"We are thrilled to be the title sponsor for Filene's big.bright.minds. in 2025,” said Origence’s CEO, Tony Boutelle. “By supporting this pivotal industry event, we aim to contribute to the growth and success of credit unions, helping them navigate the evolving financial landscape.”
