With the rise of digital banking, it’s become increasingly important for credit unions to enhance their Digital Member Services (DMS). Moving in the direction of efficient and seamless digital solutions when it comes to member services is crucial for the survival of credit unions in the digital age. But it is also important that CUs do this while still providing the personalized member service experience that members expect.

With mobile banking reaching its saturation point, credit unions now need to focus on product differentiation. It is no longer enough to just offer a mobile solution--it is now time to match mobile offerings with your member base. Remember, product differentiation is key, design excellence matters and your aim should be an incredible member experience.

As mobile banking continues to rise in popularity throughout the United States and the world, credit unions must pay special attention to the types of features they offer in their mobile app or they risk getting left behind. But how exactly do credit unions create a mobile banking app that not only handles the basics, but goes above and beyond setting itself apart from the rest of the competition?

When it comes to mobile banking apps, members want an all-in-one, frictionless and simple experience. The days of members putting up with slow, inefficient apps is a thing of the past. While many credit unions have tried to remain competitive by utilizing multiple third-party vendors to support different app functions, choosing the right core processing solution to partner with so that your mobile app is built from the ground up--and all in one place--is the more suitable option.

According to the Business Insider’s Mobile Banking Competitive Edge Study, nearly 90% of credit union members claim they use mobile banking services. Additionally, more than 95% of millennials report using mobile banking. What this means for credit unions is that having a quality mobile banking app is now an essential part of doing business. However, not just any mobile banking app will do.

The game has changed for credit unions when it comes to how they service their member’s needs, especially in terms of digital lending. Because of the rise of fintech companies and app-based financial services, credit union members now want access to fast and easy digital lending services. Although that doesn’t mean branch visits and personalized attention are a thing of the past, CUs who wish to compete and thrive in the future must come up with a well-thought-out digital strategy.

In 2020, the coronavirus forced credit unions to shut their doors and rethink how they do business. With branches closed and the lockdown in full effect, it became clear that members wanted digital solutions to handle all their banking transactions. Suddenly mobile banking, digital wallets and digital lending platforms became crucial for the survival of credit unions.

One of the biggest factors that can affect a credit union’s bottom line is how they use their core system technologies. An efficient core data processing system can help expand member services and attract new members while keeping the underlying costs of running the CU low. Credit unions that use a large number of vendors and third-party technologies often pay too much for technology and have less user-friendly platforms.

The new year is a good time to reflect, and 2020 certainly gave us a lot to think about. The pandemic brought unforeseen changes to the world, especially in regards to consumer habits. As people sought to avoid most in-person transactions, many industries were forced to make major adjustments to how they operate. The financial world was no exception.

We live in a time of technological wonder and change. Yet, many of today’s companies often pivot their talking points away from internal development, thus obfuscating the fundamental question and primary mission of any core: “How are you updating your core technology to keep my credit union relevant and competitive?”