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.

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.

Mobile banking has many benefits for credit unions and their members. A mobile banking app can provide members with 24-7 access to account information, instant bill pay features, and the ability to make purchases, transfer money to friends, and deposit checks with just the click of a button. These revolutionary changes have made banking quicker and easier than it’s ever been. As mobile banking continues to transform the financial industry, credit unions must pay close attention to what’s happening.