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.

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, you must adapt to your members' needs and wants, which include the adoption of new technology. According to a recent report from Experian Global, the number of people with mobile wallets and traditional payment methods is essentially the same. Out of 6,000 consumers and 2,000 businesses surveyed worldwide, 62% responded that they use mobile wallets, 63% said they use traditional payments, and 64% said they use a debit card for making transactions. In addition, the survey discovered that consumers are also using digital payment methods just as much as they use their email. With all of these statistics, it's safe to say that consumers are steadily becoming more tech-savvy. So, the real challenge for credit unions is to recognize the significant increase in digital spending and rise to the occasion.

In a not-so-distant past, digital payments revolutionized commerce. Today, however, commerce is poised to revolutionize the way money is moved. From manual and paper-based, payments are speeding toward automation, paperless, cloud-based solutions to simplify the buying and selling process.

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 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.

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.

Digital payments and technologies are reshaping how people all over the world spend money--to the point where some economists are debating the future of cash. It’s not just the widespread use of credit and debit cards, but the rise of digital wallets, digital banking apps, direct deposits, instantaneous peer-to-peer payments and digital lending services that are solving people’s banking needs, and as a result, making cash less common.

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.