Navigating Interest Rate Volatility: Strategies for 2026
After several years of unpredictable rate movements, community banks and credit unions are entering 2026 facing continued uncertainty. While inflation pressures have eased, the interest rate environment remains anything but stable. Margins are tighter, liquidity is in flux, and competition for deposits continues to shape the balance sheets of financia
AI in Credit Reviews: Efficiency vs. Bias
Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform how financial institutions operate—from streamlining back-office workflows to enhancing fraud detection and customer service. One area seeing particularly rapid change is credit review and underwriting, where AI-powered models promise faster decisions, deeper data analysis, and more consistent risk
Stress Testing Beyond the Numbers: Preparing People, Not Just Balance Sheets
For years, stress testing has been viewed primarily as a financial exercise—a way for banks and credit unions to model adverse scenarios, measure capital adequacy, and satisfy regulatory expectations. But in today’s environment, effective stress testing is about more than the numbers. The institutions best prepared for disruption—whether e
The Rise of FinTech Partnerships: Opportunity or Threat for Community Banks?
The financial services landscape continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace. FinTech companies—once viewed as disruptors to traditional banking—have now become potential collaborators, offering innovative technologies that promise to enhance customer experience, improve efficiency, and expand access to financial services. For community banks, these
CRA Modernization – What Does This Mean for Your Institution?
The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) has been a cornerstone of banking regulation since 1977, requiring financial institutions to help meet the credit needs of the communities they serve—including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. After years of debate, the CRA is undergoing significant modernization, with regulators rolling out updates designed to bett
Best Practices for Strengthening Your Fair Lending Program
Fair lending has been at the center of regulatory focus for decades, and in 2025, it remains a cornerstone of consumer protection in the financial services industry. Banks and credit unions are expected to not only comply with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), Fair Housing Act (FHA), and related laws, but also demonstrate proactive […]
Product and Service Due Diligence: Potential UDAAP Traps
For banks and credit unions, developing new products and services is a vital way to stay competitive, meet customer needs, and grow. But innovation comes with risk. Regulators continue to emphasize compliance with the prohibition against Unfair, Deceptive, or Abusive Acts or Practices (UDAAP), and institutions that fail to consider UDAAP risk during product and
Financial Fraud Prevention: Best Practices for 2025
Financial institutions operate in an environment where risk is ever-present and constantly evolving. Fraudulent activity remains one of the most pressing threats facing banks and credit unions, especially as digital transactions continue to grow. In 2025, fraud schemes have become more sophisticated—leveraging new technologies and exploiting emerging vulnerab
Building Trust with Millennials: Financial Institutions’ Strategies for Customer Retention
Millennials represent one of the most vital customer segments for banks and credit unions today. As they increasingly take control of their finances, it is essential for financial institutions to understand their preferences and earn their trust. Establishing this trust is crucial to retaining millennial customers over the long term. Why Millennials Matter to
Balancing Profitability and Compliance in the Age of Regulation
Financial institutions today face an increasingly complex regulatory landscape. From evolving consumer protection laws to heightened anti-money laundering (AML) requirements and cybersecurity mandates, compliance is more demanding than ever. At the same time, institutions must maintain strong profitability to remain competitive and continue serving their custom