Yes, it's that time of year again, where we share our video good ups, mess ups, and more -- our holiday gift to the credit union industry. So sit back and enjoy 2025's Blooper Reel, as we had a blast collecting these fun clips for you all to enjoy this holiday season -- and beyond.

Many, many thanks to all of you who watch the show, sponsor our show, and appear as guests on our show. So grateful for your support not only in 2025, but the 15 years (8,000+ episodes) we've been at this sharing inspiring video interviews from this incredible industry that literally changes lives on a daily basis.  #goodjob!

We look forward to seeing you all online or in person at one of the many credit union events that take place worldwide in 2026. It's going to be a doozy for sure with the continued tech innovations, advocacy efforts, leadership changes, and an election year on top of all that. Buckle your seatbelts!

If there's any industry that's up for a challenge like this, it's credit unions. And we are so honored to bring you all stories that will foster innovation, evolution, and inspiration -- ultimately helping this industry become better and better amongst all the change and making a positive impact on members worldwide.

Thank you, again, and enjoy this year's bloopers. Rest assured that there will plenty more in 2026, as well. Enjoy!

And if you're looking for a few more laughs, check out years' past blooper reels:

• 2024 CUbroadcast Blooper Reel Capture's the Year's Goof Ups, Trip Ups, Hiccups, and More
• 2023 CUbroadcast Blooper Reel Recaps Bungles, Stumbles, and Fumbles
• 2022 CUbroadcast Blooper Reel Relives Past Year's Bobbles, Botches and Bungles
• 2019 CUbroadcast Blooper Reel, Reliving the Past Year's Hiccups, Blunders, and Goofs

Chris Fraenza, Chief Revenue Officer at SavvyMoney, stopped by the Studio Lounge to highlight his conference session on "Empowering the Next Generation: Financial Wellness & Credit Growth for Gen Z and Beyond."

Specifically, Chris talked about how financial wellness is crucial for Gen Z, who have clear financial goals but often lack support. Credit unions must understand and engage this demographic by providing innovative tools and proactive assistance.

He addressed how the current economic climate presents challenges, particularly around home buying and interest rates.

​But, Chris added, building loyalty among younger members requires tailored services and effective engagement strategies.

Q&A summary
What is the significance of the sponsorship mentioned at the beginning of the podcast?
The sponsorship highlights the support from Community Financial, which sets the stage for the podcast's focus on financial topics.
What recent developments has SavvyMoney achieved?
SavvyMoney raised a significant amount of funding, which is aimed at pushing credit union partners into the future with innovative solutions.
How is SavvyMoney addressing the needs of Gen Z in financial wellness?
SavvyMoney is focusing on understanding younger demographics, particularly Gen Z, and providing tools like Score Simulator to help them achieve their financial goals.
What alarming statistic did Chris Fraenza mention about Gen Z's financial confidence?
Chris noted that 86% of Gen Z is financially unsecured, indicating a lack of confidence in managing their finances.
What tools does SavvyMoney provide to help users improve their credit scores?
SavvyMoney offers instant access to credit scores, credit monitoring, and a score simulator as part of the digital banking experience.
What concerns do Gen Z have regarding home buying in the current market?
Gen Z is nervous about buying their first home due to rising interest rates and the fear of making wrong financial decisions.

Check it out and let us know your thoughts. And be sure to watch all our Studio Lounge episodes from Filene's big.bright.minds on our episode archive page -- as well as visiting our sponsors who support our conference coverage: Filene, Origence, Abacus, Backbone, and "Despite Impossible" podcast.

Brit Barker, Senior Vice President of Sales at Origence, joined us in the Studio Lounge to share highlights and insights from his conference session on "Driving Growth & Efficiency: The New Era of Intelligent Lending."

Specifically, Brit talked about how intelligent lending is crucial for credit unions to approve younger borrowers without traditional credit histories.

He added that adapting to changing demographics and enhancing approval processes are essential for engaging potential members -- emphasizing speed in loan approvals, particularly for credit invisible borrowers in growing regions.

Q&A summary
What is the significance of the 'big.bright.minds extravaganza' mentioned in the podcast?
The 'big.bright.minds extravaganza' is a key event in Nashville, TN, organized by the Filene Research Institute, focusing on innovative ideas in the credit union industry.
How does the podcast address the challenges faced by young borrowers?
The podcast highlights young borrowers' struggle to secure an auto loan due to their lack of traditional credit history, despite having a solid payment record for rent and utilities.
What role do alternative data points play in lending decisions for credit unions?
Alternative data points, such as rent and utility payments, can help credit unions make more informed lending decisions, especially for younger borrowers who lack traditional credit scores.
Why is speed important in the loan approval process for credit unions?
Speed is crucial because quicker approvals or counteroffers can significantly increase the funding ratio for credit unions, enhancing their competitiveness in the market.
What is the potential market size of credit invisible borrowers mentioned in the discussion?
The podcast indicates that there are approximately 45 million Americans who are credit invisible, representing a significant opportunity for credit unions to expand their member base.
What updates were shared about the performance of Origence in the podcast?
Origence is projected to hit 200 million in revenues this year, reflecting significant growth and continued support for credit unions across the country.

Check it out and let us know your thoughts. And be sure to watch all our Studio Lounge episodes from Filene's big.bright.minds on our episode archive page -- as well as visiting our sponsors who support our conference coverage: Filene, Origence, Abacus, Backbone, and "Despite Impossible" podcast.

Shanthi Shanmugam, CEO & Co-Founder at Casap, and Kelsey Coonce, Sr. Member Experience Manager at Credit Union 1, stopped by the Studio Lounge to share highlights and insights from their conference session on "Faster, Fairer, and More Human: How Automation is Rebuilding Trust in Fraud Disputes."

In particular, Kelsey and Shanthi talked about how the integration of automation and human empathy is crucial in the dispute resolution process within credit unions. Building trust with members is essential, and automation improves efficiency.

They also addressed collaborative efforts among credit unions aiming to enhance service delivery -- as well as emphasizing empathy in customer interactions, showcasing the positive impact of technology on operations.

In addition, Shanthi and Kelsey proposed a call to action for credit unions to encourage embracing AI and collaboration to improve member experiences.

Q&A summary
What is the main focus of the discussion regarding automation in disputes?
The discussion emphasizes how automation can rebuild trust and improve the handling of fraud disputes, combining efficiency with human empathy.
Can you explain what KOP stands for and its purpose?
KOP stands for 'You at your case study ASAP' and it aims to automate disputes, providing financial peace of mind by quickly resolving issues for honest members.
How has the dispute resolution process changed with the introduction of automation?
The average time to resolve a dispute has drastically reduced from 90 days to just 12 days, with some cases being resolved on the same day.
What role does empathy play in the automation of dispute resolution?
Empathy is essential as it allows team members to focus on understanding and assisting members rather than getting bogged down by administrative tasks.
What is the significance of provisional credit in the dispute process?
Provisional credit is crucial as it provides immediate financial relief to members while disputes are being resolved, helping them manage their expenses.
What is the call to action that Kelsey and Shanthi want to convey to their audience?
They encourage embracing the coexistence of AI and human interaction in the industry to enhance collaboration and improve member experiences.

Check it out and let us know your thoughts. And be sure to watch all our Studio Lounge episodes from Filene's big.bright.minds on our episode archive page -- as well as visiting our sponsors who support our conference coverage: Filene, Origence, Abacus, Backbone, and "Despite Impossible" podcast.

Shirley Senn, Chief Community Development and Impact Officer New Orleans Firemen's Federal Credit Union, joined us in the Studio Lounge to share her thoughts on leveraging Filene's i3 program to help small credit unions survive and thrive with new projects tailored for this group.

Specifically, Shirley talked about how small credit unions play a vital role in the financial ecosystem, facing unique challenges that require innovative solutions. Filene's i3 program invites smaller credit unions to contribute ideas and collaborate for growth.

Shirley added that maintaining a diverse range of credit unions is essential for their collective success, fostering advocacy and support are crucial to prevent a decline in their numbers -- as she urged credit unions to adopt innovative practices and seek funding to improve their services and community impact.

Q&A summary
What is the significance of the i3 program for small credit unions?
The i3 program offers small credit unions a chance to engage in innovative projects and ideation, which can lead to impactful solutions tailored to their unique needs.
What are some successful ideas that have emerged from the i3 program?
Successful ideas include the Save to Win program and various prize-linked savings initiatives, which have proven beneficial for many credit unions.
What challenges do small credit unions face in terms of innovation?
Small credit unions often lack the time and resources to focus on innovation due to their many operational responsibilities, which can hinder their ability to ideate effectively.
What is the estimated future of credit unions in the next decade?
It's estimated that the number of credit unions could decrease from about 4,400 today to around 3,000 in the next six to ten years, highlighting the need for innovation and support.
What role do larger credit unions play in supporting smaller ones?
Larger credit unions can sponsor smaller ones, helping them overcome financial barriers to participate in programs like I3, fostering collaboration within the movement.
What is the importance of diversity in the ideas generated within the credit union movement?
Diversity in ideas ensures that solutions represent the varied needs of all members, which is crucial for the future success of the credit union movement.

Check it out and let us know your thoughts. And be sure to watch all our Studio Lounge episodes from Filene's big.bright.minds on our episode archive page -- as well as visiting our sponsors who support our conference coverage: Filene, Origence, Abacus, Backbone, and "Despite Impossible" podcast.