Today's credit unions face a unique set of challenges as member growth has consistently declined since 2018. To further compound this problem, the average credit union member age in the U.S. is 53, which means they are or have already exited their prime borrowing years. Together, these two statistics underscore the importance of attracting younger members.

Digital transformation is no longer a buzzword that all the cool financial institutions are using. Instead, COVID-19 has escalated it from a nice-to-have, wishful thinking strategy into a must-have for credit unions to remain competitive. At the very heart of any effective digital transformation is a metamorphosis that transforms how your credit union interacts with members. In the act of doing so, it should modernize and simplify processes while generating efficiencies and improving KPIs, such as the credit union's efficiency ratio. While COVID-19 has escalated the importance of digital transformation, it has also highlighted key problems credit unions face.

The past 18 months have brought unexpected challenges to credit unions of all sizes. The severity of these challenges varies by credit union and some peer groups were more affected than others. Digital transformation became a real topic, instead of wishful thinking or “clickbait” for marketing companies. We quickly learned which credit unions were prepared for a digital transformation and those that were not.

Credit union loan balances are growing steadily, increasing from 5.3% in 2020. Experts predict loans to escalate 9% each year in 2022 and 2023 after the economy returns to normal, infrastructure expenditure begins, and unemployment levels decrease. As loan balances continue to rise, credit unions are searching for strategies to increase direct lending that will boost profits and set the stage for cross-sales.

As the financial world fully embraces the digital-first approach, credit unions are unique in that physical branches still act as an important component of the growth strategy. Whether it's seasoned credit union members valuing face-to-face interactions with tellers or younger members looking for personalized guidance in purchasing a first home, there will almost always be a place for credit union branch transactions—as long as there is a space. Let's take a closer look at a few ways credit unions can incorporate the branch into your 2022's growth strategy and optimize every square inch for maximum ROI.

As a credit union (CU), you want to offer your members the highest level of financial services, including seamless onboarding. Although you might already have an efficient digital banking system, it won't matter unless you attract and retain new members. To help your CU, let's explore several ways your credit union can go from average to excellent in onboarding and member growth in 2022.

The pandemic has turned digital preference into a priority. Out of necessity, many banks and credit unions were forced to stretch beyond physical interaction and offer a completely digital experience. As a result, lenders have improved their online loan application process, making them quicker, easier, and user-friendly. According to a recent survey, nearly two-thirds of people who have applied for loans within the last two years complete them partially or completely online. As a credit union, it's time to recognize that today's consumers desire online and mobile solutions, and deliver just that.

With the emergence of financial services industry disrupters — FinTechs— the battle for the hearts, minds, and wallets of credit union members is fiercer than ever. Unlike these firms, however, your credit union's core value statement isn't necessarily centered around trendy technology. But you can leverage state-of-the-art solutions to drive membership growth, and do so in a way aligned with your core value proposition. Here are three ways you can do just that in 2022.

It's simple: Those who fail to plan are planning to fail. While this may not be a surprise or foreign concept, not all planning is created equal. As you begin entering strategic planning for the upcoming year, here are three key goals that should be on your credit union's roadmap.

With all the talk of Millennials, it's easy for credit unions to lose focus on Generation X and Baby Boomers. Yet, doing so would be at your own peril. Even though Millennials are the largest generation in history, Boomers still hold the keys to the kingdom—where cash is king. According to the Federal Reserve, they have a reported average net worth of $1,066,000 and a median net worth of $224,000.