You Don't Know What You Don't Know | Technology

When a member goes to check their account balance through a mobile banking app, they don’t think about the types of integrations that were put in place by their credit union in order to allow their transactions to happen. Although your credit union understands how the core is integrated with mobile apps, that’s not something the member is thinking about. The member expects their account information to be there, and the app to work as expected. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the credit union to anticipate members’ needs and provide the supporting technological solutions they demand. However, your credit union can’t provide a solution if you aren't aware of the new technologies available to you. Technology is changing every day, and staying up-to-date on the latest features will give you a competitive edge and allow your credit union to provide a better range of member services. Here are 3 simple ways to stay on the cusp of trending credit union technology:

Marketing Communications

Opt-in to your technology provider’s marketing emails, and actually read them. Not every email will be a goldmine of information, but keeping your eyes on what’s new will help your credit union stay knowledgeable. Your core system provider is likely offering services you didn’t know were available to you and your members, and you won’t discover them if you aren’t looking at what’s out there.

Webinars  

Tech partners frequently offer webinars and they’re a low-risk form of continued education for your credit union. In a 30 minute to one-hour session, tech partners might discuss new and emerging technologies or ways to better use your existing system. Using your core technology to its fullest potential will make your operations more efficient and effective for both you and your members.

Learning Centers

Learning centers are a frequently underused tool, not only within credit unions but in industries across the board. There are several credit union associations offering eLearning programs, in addition to online resources offered by tech partners. Learning centers offer training and professional development to improve in areas such as compliance, research, operations, strategic execution tools, and marketing materials. Dedicating as little as 30 minutes each week to explore these online resources will give your credit union a better idea of what materials are available and which areas of education would be beneficial to pursue.

Continued education is an essential component of maintaining a good financial institution, although it’s most often the task that gets pushed to the bottom of a to-do list. Technology and service offerings are constantly updating and improving, so it’s easy to fall behind if you’re not paying attention. Credit union technology partners offer a plethora of resources that will keep you on the cutting edge of technology and integrated core solutions if you embrace what they have to offer.