As is true with any type of digital transformation, converting from an older core platform to a new one can often seem like an uphill battle for your credit union. But not only is it necessary, but in some situations, it is explicitly so--like if you're currently working with two or more disparate platforms that make the lives of your employees and members needlessly difficult on a daily basis.

If you asked 100 different people what it took to effectively grow a credit union, you'd probably get 100 different answers. Some would say that boosting membership was the key. Others might emphasize cross-selling or up-selling services. There are those who might focus on building a better marketing strategy. While all of these things are certainly valuable, they pale in comparison to what may be the most important objective of all: Increasing efficiency as much as possible.

Obviously, one of the most important priorities for any credit union is growth. Now, new research seems to suggest that this emphasis has been paying off in spades. According to the experts at CUNA, credit unions can see loan growth of 20% on average by the end of 2022. To put that into perspective, it is the highest rate of growth of its type since 1984. All told, research suggests that credit union loan balances for members grew by 16% in 2022 compared to 2022. Not only that, but they were also up 10.2% from the beginning of the year.

When it comes to operating a modern-day credit union, one critical idea to understand is that any investment in technology that reduces costs needs to simplify efficiency at the exact same time. Not only is this crucial for keeping up with an ever-changing marketplace, but it also assists with long-term stability as well.

When it comes to operational efficiency, credit unions have room for growth. According to a McKinsey & Company study, credit unions are repeatedly more inefficient when compared to similarly sized banks. The causes of this operational efficiency variance can range, but it almost always boils down to certain processes draining valuable resources. Ask yourself:

The expectations of credit union members are constantly evolving, and it's up to savvy organizations to evolve right along with them. For most, the careful application of the right type of technology is how they do it.

These days, members are flocking to credit unions for a myriad of different reasons. Some want the convenience that credit unions are known for - they want to be able to utilize services where they want, when they want, no matter what. Others strive for the personal level of care and attention to detail that larger financial institutions just aren't capable of offering. Others still strive for both at the same time.

Digital transformation — when done right — can transform your credit union's ability to stand out in a crowded market while optimizing operations and improving the overall member experience. But when it's done wrong, the possibilities are endless — and not in a good way. For example, Hewlett Packard's digital transformation in 2004 was slated to cost $160 million. But because of several failures, it cost them nearly five times that amount.

For credit unions, undergoing a digital transformation to offer better and more personalized services to members is no longer a recommendation. It is a requirement.

By now, the future direction of financial services has been charted and well documented — it's all about digital transformation. While the direction of the industry is no surprise, the speed at which this runaway freight train is traveling has left many industry insiders concerned, to say the least. According to a 2019 survey, 81% of banking CEOs reported they were concerned about the speed of technological change. And this was before the COVID-19 pandemic exposed universal shortcomings.