Because of the fast-paced digital world that we're all living in, many credit unions can find it difficult to keep up with ever-changing member expectations.

If you had to make a list of some of the most invaluable assets that credit unions have, loyalty is undoubtedly right at the top.

Today, credit union members and consumers have more ways than ever to pay for goods and services, including Buy Now Pay Later, automated clearing houses, mobile wallets, and peer-to-peer payments. At the same time, payment methods are getting smarter.

There was a time when on-demand (also referred to as "instant issue") cards were one of those "nice to have" benefits for credit union members. They were fast, convenient, and efficient - but they weren't necessarily a "must have" feature like mobile banking.

According to recent data, almost 60% of consumers in the United States were living paycheck to paycheck in July 2022. Record high inflation is certainly being felt by people everywhere, regardless of where they live or how much money they make.

According to one recent study, the annual inflation rate in the United States grew to 9.1% by June 2022 - the highest rate since 1981. As a result, how people shop for things like credit cards is changing. This is especially true as not just inflation rises, but the prices of fuel and other essential items do as well.

Whether your credit union member earns $30,000 a year or $300,000 a year, everyone is feeling the crunch from inflation. And this should come as no surprise, considering inflationary pressure is at a 40-year high. Even so, many financial institutions are reluctant to discuss inflation in a real way and offer tangible steps consumers can use to reduce the impact. However, your credit union could be the lighthouse that helps members weather the storm and navigate their way through the fog. Here are four key marketing messages and campaigns credit unions can use to help your members and your bottom line.

In a period of significant global economic instability, the financial services sector is going through a significant period of disruption. This has been especially challenging for credit unions, who need to leverage a variety of methods to keep cash flow as stable as possible. Thankfully, there are ways to use this newfound disruption to optimize revenue streams moving forward. They require organizational leaders to keep a few key things in mind.

As a credit union, there are a wide range of opportunities that can be leveraged in terms of more effectively operating your lending process. Having said that, not all methods work equally well for each organization. Only by making an effort to fully understand your audience will you be able to come up with the techniques that fit best given the circumstances.

In an age of two-day Amazon delivery, instant Google search, and personalized lending offers through Credit Karma, your members are no longer satisfied with a slow back-office lending process that takes days to weeks. Instead, credit unions must modernize their lending with a digital loan origination system and powerful analytics.