Today, consumers have access to more ways than ever to pay for goods and services. Whether it's convenient Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL), Cash App, Venmo, PayPal, or embedded payments—they all represent easier, frictionless payment methods for consumers. But that's not all they share in common: they all pale in comparison to the popularity of credit and debit card solutions.

The term "digital wallet" has been floating around for the past few years. This technology doesn't require a physical credit or debit card and lets consumers pay for products and services using card information stored in a device such as a smartphone or a computer. In fact, according to a 2021 survey, around 150 million Americans have used a digital wallet at least once. Will this intangible payment method put credit cards out of commission? And what does this mean for your credit union?

Traditionally, credit unions haven't been considered digital innovators. Instead, credit unions are notorious for delivering a personable, in-person, in-branch experience to sustain member loyalty and build trust.

Today, however, everything is different. As digital-only fintech firms and major banks pour money into technology to apply external pressure, it's imperative for credit unions to develop value propositions around innovation. While credit unions may not be first adopters or innovators (in the traditional sense), they are fast followers. Let's take a closer look at three top emerging payment trends credit unions should be following and paying close attention to.

Digital payments took center stage during the pandemic, and their popularity became so strong, it's clear contactless payments aren't going anywhere. Commerce was already hopping on the digital bandwagon pre-coronavirus, but the shutdowns and online-only sales increased digital payments exponentially. Now, consumers are even more in favor of quick, convenient touchless transactions, which means that credit unions must be prepared to continue offering these valuable services and innovate further.

The financial world has already seen and will continue to see more competition in 2022, especially in regard to payments. Between the influx in buy now, pay later (BNPL) payments, and consumers' desire for faster, easier transactions, it's safe to say that rivalry is at an all-time high.

The world of payments is on a fast-paced roller coaster to an all-digital destination. The already speeding locomotive received a jolt of energy via COVID-19, which further increased the demand for digital, online, contactless, frictionless, and speedier payments. While most generations show an interest in digital payments, it comes as no surprise that the largest push is being generated from the rear.

"Cash or credit?" Is that statement becoming a phrase of the past? New technology and tools that support cashless payment options such as tapping a smartphone, waving and paying with a card, or sending an online Peer-to-Peer payment have hastened this process along with changing societal norms and consumer preferences. It feels as though we truly are on our way towards a cashless society.

Credit unions have long held a reputation for excellent member retention rates. Members are genuinely loyal to their credit unions. Yet, while they maintain their loyalty in the form of a car loan or mortgage, members are increasingly seeking out different FI's for their primary provider. While historically credit unions have been heavily focused on consumer lending by providing the lowest rates to members, it's time to step out of the past, and look beyond the present. Look beyond the lending department and consider the payments opportunity. In the top 3 US banks, for example, credit cards represent roughly 26 percent of loan volume, whereas for credit unions, cards represent just a little over 6 percent! It's time for CU's to look at how their members' lifestyles and spending habits have evolved, and evolve along with them.

You may try, and you may try, and you may try... but members can't get no satisfaction from a credit card that doesn't offer rewards and easily understood benefits. According to a J.D. Power 2019 Credit Card Satisfaction Study, rewards are what drive member satisfaction with credit cards, as has been the case for several years now. Issuing credit unions have continued to improve upon rewards programs but often struggle to find the right rewards offering for their member base, as well as a simple approach to understanding and redeeming rewards. The same JD Power study found that only 66 percent of members fully grasp their reward program offerings, and only about a third say they completely understood all the benefits available to them.

As if! Compare how members make payments today to how they made payments 25 years ago. In the 1990's, bills were paid primarily through snail mail by check, or perhaps paid in person with cash at a designated payment location. Many people still received traditional paychecks, and it was not uncommon to be stuck behind someone paying for groceries with a paper check. A stolen credit card could be as detrimental to your cash reserves as misplacing a highly valued beanie baby. Whatever! How times have changed.