Last week, I participated in an energizing few days at Filene’s big.bright.minds 2025 in Nashville, and the experience once again demonstrated why this event sits at the center of forward-looking thinking in the credit union industry. The combination of rigorous research, fintech innovation, and collaboration across the movement made this year’s gathering one of the strongest yet. It was also one of the largest, with attendance reaching a record 500. The attendees themselves represented an impressive showing of the industry's senior leadership, with influential credit union executives, C-Suite members, and strategic decision-makers converging for the multi-day event. This collection of powerhouse credit union executives underscored the event’s significance as a premier industry event.
Mark Meyer opened the event with his perspectives that credit unions are facing rapid change, and research-grounded decision-making is now essential for long-term relevance. In his signature “bomb-dig” way, Mark challenged the industry to lean in and not only consider but leverage the insights the Filene ecosystem brings forward to grow the movement through innovation. Jean Chatzky guided us through the agenda as emcee, translating complex research into what it means for the everyday financial lives of members. And Christie Kimbell ensured the throughline was clear, that Filene’s work is not just generating insight, but equipping credit unions with tools for execution.
The featured speakers delivered substantive and thought-provoking content. A regular on the credit union circuit, Dr. Lamont Black provided one of the clearest explanations to date on stablecoins, embedded payments, and the legislative environment taking shape around them, outlining both risks and opportunities for credit unions preparing for what’s next. Kim Lear’s research on the behaviors, expectations, and financial decision frameworks of young adults offered a direct, data-driven roadmap for engaging the next generation. Dr. Gerald Kane brought a human-centered lens to digital transformation, reminding leaders that technology only matters if it strengthens, not replaces, the relational core of the credit union experience. Louis Hernandez Jr. from Black Dragon Capital℠ shared his assessment of how digitization, fintech investment, and technology infrastructure are reshaping the competitive landscape.
One of the most engaging elements of the event was the i3 “science fair,” where the current cohort of Filene i3 innovators pitched the product concepts they’ve been developing throughout the program. For those who aren’t familiar with i3, it is Filene’s innovation leadership program that equips rising credit union leaders with design thinking, experimentation skills, and collaborative problem-solving frameworks. The science fair gave attendees a firsthand look at prototypes and concepts aimed at solving real member and operational challenges—an inspiring reminder of how creativity, research, and cooperative principles come together to move the industry forward.
Those sessions were just the tip of the iceberg as academics and thought leaders with broad perspectives contributed to a powerful and insightful speaker lineup over the course of the conference. True to form, they were grounded in Filene’s signature strength of taking research and translating it into applicable topics to drive credit union strategy forward. More of Filene's esteemed Fellows presented focused, actionable research. Dr. Mai Nguyen, the Fellow for Community Social Impact, moderated a vital discussion on innovative housing solutions. Dr. Mathieu Despard contributed with a session on member well-being, exploring how to effectively apply the prior work of Filene’s Centers of Excellence to improve member financial lives. Strategic challenges were addressed by Dr. Amy Hillman, whose insights on the merger environment offered leaders a framework for assessing organizational structure and change management. Additional topics ranged from consumer behavior to digital design, from artificial intelligence to community impact, from generational financial health to the structural pressures that will influence credit union strategy over the next decade.
It was also great to see so many fintechs, startups, and long-standing industry leaders on site. With both Filene and CUES serving as CUInsight Collaborators, it was meaningful to see their work, leadership, and commitment to industry advancement represented so strongly throughout the event. CUES CEO, Heather McKissick’s presence and session underscored that leadership development and cooperative values remain integral to how the industry prepares for its future.
Leaving Nashville, I was struck by how much of what was discussed at big.bright.minds 2025 is actionable right now. The research, the insights, and the collaboration all pointed toward a movement that is ready to continue to evolve with integrity, embrace innovation with intention, and shape the future rather than wait for it.
