 Ashish Garg Eltropy, the agentic AI-powered conversations platform for community financial institutions (CFIs), today announced that its annual Leadership Summit will take place August 24-26, 2026, at the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa in Monterey, California. The summit is an invitation-only gathering for C-suite and executive leaders at credit unions and community banks, with more than 90 CFI executives expected to attend.
Sessions will run Tuesday through Wednesday morning, organized around three themes: the economy, artificial intelligence and growth. Tuesday's keynote session comes from Gallup, built around a tension CFI leaders are navigating on two fronts at once: members under real financial pressure, and employees facing uncertainty about what AI means for their jobs. Drawing on its research on financial wellbeing and workforce engagement, Gallup will argue the answer to both is hope, something only a human leader can provide. Gallup returns later in the day to lead a joint strategy workshop with Filene Research. Callahan will present on the economic signals and shifts facing CFI leaders in the year ahead, and Filene will lead its own session on member connection. Eltropy will close out the AI conversation with a session on agentic AI, echoing a line Ashish Garg, Eltropy co-founder and CEO, returns to often on his podcast, Human x AI: Unscripted: AI is only as good as the person directing it. The summit closes Wednesday with a keynote from Garg titled “Leading What's Next.” “For most of this event's history we've held it in the mountains. This year we wanted our customers looking out at something that moves,” said Garg. “Put that setting next to research from Gallup, Callahan and Filene, and the conversations tend to go further than they would in a hotel ballroom.” “Many conferences recycle the same ideas year after year. The Eltropy Leadership Summit is different – it challenges conventional thinking and brings fresh, practical innovation to the conversation,” said Rob Hoyle, Chief People and Technology Officer at Vantage West Credit Union. “I leave every summit with ideas I can immediately apply to improve both the employee and member experience. The opportunity to collaborate with forward-thinking credit union leaders and learn from organizations like Gallup and Filene delivers value that extends far beyond our time at the summit.” The summit opens Monday with arrivals and a private dinner inside the Monterey Bay Aquarium's deep sea exhibit. Optional activities throughout the week include a guided hike at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, a kayak outing in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and a whale watching trip during the bay's peak summer feeding season. Tuesday closes with a sunset dinner on the beach. The summit concludes Wednesday at noon following the closing keynote. More information on the 2026 Eltropy Leadership Summit is available at eltropy.com/eltropy-leadership-summit-2026/.
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 Anthony Hernandez Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC) submitted official comments (attached) to the House Appropriations Committee ahead of its hearing, "Funding Lapses: Analyzing Shutdown Reform," urging Congress to enact bipartisan reforms that protect servicemembers, Coast Guard personnel, veterans, federal employees, and military families from the financial consequences of future government shutdowns.
"Government shutdowns are far more than political disagreements, they create real hardship for the men and women defending our nation," says Jason Stverak, DCUC Chief Advocacy Officer. "Defense credit unions have proudly stepped forward every time Congress has failed to complete its work, but military families should never have to rely on emergency financial assistance simply because Washington cannot pass appropriations. Financial readiness is military readiness." Drawing on the experiences of previous funding lapses, DCUC highlighted the critical role credit unions have played in supporting military communities through emergency payroll advances, low- and no-interest bridge loans, payment deferrals, fee waivers, financial counseling, and other relief programs that helped families remain financially stable during periods of uncertainty. To strengthen future preparedness, DCUC urged Congress to:
"Defense credit unions will always answer the call to support military families, but they should not be expected to serve as a substitute for sound federal budgeting," says Anthony Hernandez, DCUC President/CEO, Ret. U.S. Air Force Colonel. "Congress has an opportunity to provide lasting certainty for those who defend our nation by ensuring servicemembers never again become collateral damage in funding negotiations. We stand ready to work with lawmakers on bipartisan solutions that strengthen both financial readiness and national security." As part of its submission, DCUC also provided suggested questions for hearing witnesses addressing military readiness, Coast Guard pay protections, financial readiness, agency coordination, and long-term appropriations reform. DCUC remains committed to working with Congress to advance policies that protect military communities while preserving access to safe, affordable financial services for those who serve.  Darius Wise Wedding costs have always extended beyond the couple. But with everyday expenses taking up more of the household budget, new research from Red Rocks Credit Union shows that the cost of participating in wedding season, from travel and attire to gifts and related events, is becoming harder for many Coloradans to absorb. Many are reconsidering, scaling back or financing the cost of showing up.
The second installment of Red Rocks Credit Union’s Summer Squeeze Survey finds that while only 8% of respondents said they are planning or paying for a wedding themselves, the financial ripple effect is much broader: 51% are participating in some kind of wedding-related event or expense this year. That includes attending as a guest, standing in a wedding party, traveling for a celebration, paying for gifts or attire, or financially supporting a wedding-related event. Among Coloradans for whom wedding costs applied, roughly three in four have changed, skipped or at least considered changing wedding plans because of cost. Only 15% of all respondents said wedding costs had not affected their plans at all. The findings build on Red Rocks Credit Union’s first Summer Squeeze report, Road Trips Over Runways, which found that rising costs are already reshaping how Coloradans approach summer travel. The latest data shows the same broader affordability pressure moving into another major part of summer: wedding season. Key Findings Wedding season reaches well beyond couples. Only 8% of respondents said they are planning or paying for a wedding themselves, but 51% are participating in some kind of wedding-related event or expense this year, including attending as a guest, traveling, standing in a wedding party, or covering gifts and attire. Costs are changing the RSVP math. Among Coloradans for whom wedding costs applied, roughly three in four have changed, skipped or at least considered changing wedding plans because of cost. Affording wedding season increasingly means borrowing. More than one in three Coloradans said they have used credit, loans, payment plans or buy-now-pay-later services for wedding-related costs. Among those who financed wedding expenses, 65% used a credit card. Younger Coloradans are more likely to finance wedding season. Gen Z respondents were nearly twice as likely as Gen X respondents to say they had used credit, loans, payment plans or buy-now-pay-later services for wedding-related costs, including travel, gifts, clothing or accommodations. The survey found that 28% of Coloradans expect to attend a wedding as a guest, 26% expect to pay for gifts, attire or other wedding-related expenses, 21% expect to attend wedding-related events such as showers, bachelor or bachelorette parties or engagement parties, and 17% expect to travel for a wedding or related event. While relatively few respondents are planning or paying for their own wedding, more than one in three Coloradans said they have used credit, loans, payment plans or buy-now-pay-later services to cover wedding-related costs. More respondents reported using financing for someone else’s wedding, or for wedding-related travel, gifts, clothing and accommodations, than for their own wedding or celebration. Among those who financed wedding expenses, 65% used a credit card, followed by savings at 40%, buy-now-pay-later services at 29%, borrowing from family or friends at 23%, taking on extra work or side income at 21%, and personal loans at 15%. “Wedding costs aren't occurring in a vacuum,” said Darius Wise, CEO of Red Rocks Credit Union. “When families are already paying more for gas, groceries, dining, lodging and other everyday expenses, the cost of attending a wedding becomes a much bigger financial decision.” Younger Coloradans are especially likely to finance the cost of participating in wedding season. Gen Z respondents were nearly twice as likely as Gen X respondents to say they had used credit, loans, payment plans or buy-now-pay-later services for wedding-related costs. They were also more likely than older respondents to use financing for travel, gifts, clothing or accommodations. “Most people do not want to miss a wedding because of money,” Wise added. “But when travel, attire, gifts, lodging and events all stack up at once, the cost of saying yes can become much bigger than expected. Our role is to help members look at the full picture before they stretch, borrow or put an important moment on a credit card. We encourage our members to understand the full cost before making commitments, prioritize the moments that matter most and avoid taking on debt that could outlast the celebration.” Full Survey ResultsFull survey findings, methodology and supporting visuals are available upon request. Media can contact [email protected] for the complete Red Rocks Credit Union Summer Squeeze Survey findings or to schedule an interview. Red Rocks Credit Union will release the final installment of the Summer Squeeze Survey later this summer, exploring how rising costs are reshaping summer events across Colorado.  More than 165 emerging cooperative finance professionals from 27 countries gathered Sunday for the inaugural WYCUP & COBA Emerging Leaders Summit, helping launch the 2026 World Credit Union Conference (WCUC) and celebrate the 25th anniversary of the World Young Credit Union Professionals (WYCUP) Program.
Hosted by the Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions (WFCU) and Australia's Customer Owned Banking Association’s (COBA) Emerging Leaders Committee, the summit brought together the next generation of cooperative finance leaders for professional development, global networking and conversations about the future of the movement. The program opened with networking and facilitated icebreaker activities designed to connect participants from around the world. Throughout the day, delegates explored what it means to lead in today's rapidly evolving financial services landscape through interactive sessions focused on leadership journeys, innovation, career development and the power of global collaboration. Featured speakers included:
Together, they encouraged participants to embrace lifelong learning, challenge conventional thinking, intentionally build their careers and strengthen the relationships that define the global cooperative movement. “It is truly an international partnership and gives us a unique advantage and opportunity. It enables you to look beyond your own borders, to share common challenges and to bring world-class insights back home,” Michael Lawrence said. “We all know that when you get back into the office, you are focused on the task at hand, so make the most of this opportunity.” The summit also marked a significant milestone for the WYCUP Program as it celebrates 25 years of developing young cooperative finance professionals into influential leaders across the global credit union movement. Since its inception, WYCUP has connected hundreds of emerging professionals through scholarships, leadership development and international collaboration, creating a worldwide network committed to advancing cooperative finance. Dorwin Manzano, who is also a 2004 WYCUP Scholar, said: “WYCUP has exposed me to so many things. The sessions, the networking and the challenges of presenting ideas have all helped prepare me as a leader. One of the things I’ve been able to influence is encouraging our board to consider young people in every decision we make — whether it’s related to products, services or other initiatives.” The day continued with a Connection and Intention Workshop, where participants reflected on how to make the most of their conference experience while building meaningful relationships with peers from around the world. Delegates then joined thousands of attendees for the official WCUC Opening Ceremony and Welcome Reception before gathering for the WYCUP & COBA Emerging Leaders’ Reception on Sydney Harbour. The reception provided another opportunity to build international connections at the start of a week focused on learning, innovation and collaboration. The success of the inaugural WYCUP & COBA Emerging Leaders Summit was made possible through the generous support of its sponsors. WFCU extends its sincere appreciation to TruStage for its longstanding support of the WYCUP Program, to CGU Insurance for its sponsorship of the COBA Emerging Leaders Stream, and to Sicredi for financing the new community platform launching in 2027, which will connect emerging and women leaders across the global credit union movement. The 2026 World Credit Union Conference continues Monday through Wednesday with internationally recognized keynote speakers, educational breakout sessions and networking opportunities focused on the future of cooperative finance. Conference attendees and their guests will also participate in several WFCU signature events throughout the week, including the Global Women's Leadership Network (GWLN) Lunch & Learn, the Global DE Social celebrating Credit Union Development Educators across the global movement, and the Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions' signature UnWind Event at the iconic Sydney Opera House. Together, these experiences will provide attendees with opportunities to deepen their knowledge, strengthen international partnerships and celebrate the cooperative spirit that unites credit unions worldwide.  For Sidney Federal Credit Union, implementing Voice Security wasn’t simply about speeding up authentication—it was about reinforcing member trust while strengthening protection against evolving fraud threats.
As fraudsters increasingly target contact centers to gain access to member accounts, Sidney FCU sought a solution that would provide stronger identity assurance while creating a faster, more seamless experience for members and agents alike. In less than a year since implementing IllumaSHIELD™ Voice Security, the credit union has reduced authentication time by 89%, enrolled more than 22% of its total membership, and now authenticates 85% of callers using voice verification. Results at a Glance
A Commitment to Protecting Member Identities Guided by its mission of helping members achieve financial success through exceptional service, Sidney Federal Credit Union continually invests in solutions that strengthen security while improving the member experience. As the credit union looked to modernize authentication within its contact center, protecting member identities and reducing friction during everyday interactions became a key priority. Like many financial institutions, Sidney FCU previously relied on traditional authentication methods such as out-of-wallet questions and one-time passcodes. Depending on the complexity of the interaction, the process could take anywhere from 60 to 90 seconds before an agent could begin assisting the member. More importantly, the credit union recognized that fraud threats targeting the voice channel continued to evolve. “We’re strongly invested in making sure that we’re able to protect the identity of our members, and investments in solutions like IllumaSHIELD™ help reassure our members that we’re doing everything we can to protect them,” said Anna Banks, Vice President of Member Experience at Sidney FCU. For Banks and her team, Voice Security represented an opportunity to strengthen both security and confidence. “Fraud is obviously a hot topic. The contact center is often a place fraudsters think they can get through. The more security we can provide for our members and our staff, the more confidence everyone has that the person we’re speaking with is actually who they claim to be.” Transforming the Authentication Experience Since implementing IllumaSHIELD™, Sidney FCU has fundamentally changed how caller authentication occurs within its contact center. Today, approximately 85% of callers are authenticated through voice verification, significantly reducing the credit union’s reliance on traditional question-and-answer verification methods. “With IllumaSHIELD™, we’ve gotten that identification time down to about 10 seconds,” said Banks. “When you’re talking 15,000 calls a month, those seconds quickly add up to multiple FTEs being repurposed from repetitive authentication Q&A to more value added services for our members.” The faster authentication experience has generated measurable operational benefits. Sidney FCU is saving more than 80 seconds of Average Handle Time on authenticated calls, creating additional capacity for agents while allowing them to focus on member needs rather than repetitive verification questions. Adoption across the contact center has been equally strong. Sidney FCU agents maintain a 92% interaction rate with the IllumaSHIELD™ platform, demonstrating widespread agent utilization and consistent use of Voice Security throughout the contact center. Strong Adoption from Both Members and Agents Introducing new security measures often requires organizations to balance stronger protection with member acceptance. For Sidney FCU, member adoption exceeded expectations. Prior to launch, the credit union informed members about the upcoming voice authentication experience and its benefits. “We actually had members calling in before we even went live asking to be enrolled,” Banks said. Today, Sidney’s enrollment process has driven a 99.99% enrollment rate among eligible callers, helping Sidney FCU enroll more than 22% of its total membership in IllumaSHIELD™ within less than a year of deployment. Members have become so familiar with the experience that many now expect voice authentication during every interaction. The response reinforces Sidney FCU’s belief that strong security and a positive member experience are not competing priorities. A Seamless Implementation and Lasting Partnership Sidney FCU completed implementation in under a month and found the deployment process straightforward from the beginning. “It was really just a seamless process,” said Ashley Bovaird, Contact Center Manager at Sidney FCU. “The Illuma client success team was super supportive, walked us through everything, and was always available when we needed assistance.” That support has continued long after implementation. According to Banks, one of the most valuable aspects of working with Illuma has been the ongoing partnership and commitment to helping the credit union maximize results. “What I appreciate about Illuma is they weren’t just an incredible support during implementation and then gone,” Banks said. “They continue to be incredibly supportive. They’re proactive in helping us make sure we’re making the most of the system.” Through regular business reviews, performance reporting, and ongoing optimization recommendations, Illuma continues to help Sidney FCU achieve measurable outcomes. Security, Trust, and Member Confidence While the operational improvements have been significant, Banks believes the greatest value comes from demonstrating Sidney FCU’s commitment to protecting members. “The biggest return on investment has been continuing to show our members that we are invested in protecting their identity,” she said. “That’s really where we see the value.” By combining passive voice security, strong member adoption, and measurable operational improvements, Sidney Federal Credit Union has strengthened security, improved efficiency, and reinforced member confidence in every conversation. The nation’s second-largest financial cooperative chooses one-time startup to blend its branch-focused service with top-shelf digital tools. By Marc Rapport Contributing Editor Key Points
For credit unions, no technology decision carries more weight than choosing a core processing system. The core is the foundation that touches virtually every member interaction, every transaction, every loan, every deposit, and every digital service. Replacing a core is one of the most complex projects a financial institution can undertake, typically taking years of planning and implementation to make the most out of the functionality and integrations the new platforms promise. That's why State Employees' Credit Union's decision to select Corelation's KeyStone platform is perhaps one of the most significant technology stories the credit union industry has seen in some time. For Corelation, the recent announcement represents the culmination of a growth story that began in 2009 when Symitar co-founder John Landis and his team launched a San Diego-based startup they said would rethink credit union core processing. Now it has signed SECU, the nation's second-largest credit union, with more than $59 billion in assets and about three million members.  Rob Landis "Our partnership with SECU represents a landmark milestone that is the result of a tremendous amount of hard work and dedication to our clients," said Rob Landis, John Landis’s son who succeeded Theresa Benavidez as Corelation CEO in January 2025. "From its inception, KeyStone's architecture was designed for scalability to support credit unions of any size." Rob Landis, who has been with Corelation since its launch 17 years ago, views the agreement as far more than a routine signing. "It's wonderful. It's a lot of hard work in the making. It was a personal career highlight of mine," he said in a May interview on CUbroadcast.com. "It represents the culmination of everything we've done to get to this point. From a technology perspective, John's vision for KeyStone was to make the best possible platform for credit unions, and to see that recognized at this scale is incredibly meaningful." Building the next generation of member service SECU's selection was driven by more than replacing aging technology. The credit union has relied on a collection of legacy systems that served it well for many years, but leadership recognized that meeting future member expectations required a modern foundation capable of evolving alongside the organization.  Leigh Brady "This will be a multi-year transformation plan that will carry us into the future, helping us enhance the service experience for our members and employees," said SECU President and CEO Leigh Brady.
For an organization with 275 branches – one of the largest brick-and-mortar networks in the credit union industry – the goal isn't to replace the branch experience. It's to make every interaction, whether it begins online, over the phone or in person, feel like part of one continuous relationship. The evaluation process itself reflected SECU's culture. More than 1,000 employees contributed input as cross-functional teams identified the capabilities needed to strengthen service across the organization, Brady said. Conversations with peer credit unions repeatedly pointed toward Corelation, Brady said, while consulting partner Engage fi helped define the roadmap for the transformation. Throughout the selection, the emphasis remained on supporting employees so they could deliver even stronger relationships with members, the longtime SECU executive said. "As a member-owned financial cooperative, we have a longstanding commitment to providing exceptional service, value, and support for our membership," Brady said. "After a thoughtful and thorough evaluation of core solutions, we selected Corelation. We're confident we've selected the right partner to carry us into the future, not only from a technology standpoint, but as a trusted business partner." Technology that strengthens relationships For SECU, the transformation is not about becoming a digital-only institution. With nearly 300 location serving communities across North Carolina, the credit union has long differentiated itself through face-to-face relationships and a commitment to community and brick-and-mortar banking. The challenge is making that same high-touch experience seamless regardless of how members choose to interact. As Brady explained, expectations are rising because member experiences everywhere are becoming faster, more connected and more convenient. "Our members expect to be able to move seamlessly between channels, for instance chatting online with a SECU representative then deciding they want to continue the conversation over the phone or at the branch," she said. "We're focusing on integrating that service experience across channels, allowing us to be more responsive to members' needs." Brady added that KeyStone will allow SECU to integrate more quickly with best-in-class financial solutions supporting real-time payments, enhanced security, digital capabilities and future innovation. That philosophy aligns closely with Corelation's own view of technology. Landis believes software succeeds only when it helps people build stronger relationships rather than replacing them. "Our pillars are right in our company name. Relationships are at the core of what we do. We believe KeyStone is the best core system available from an architecture perspective, future-proofing against technology changes, functionality and usability. But it's really the relationships we build that have driven our success." SECU expects faster service, better information for frontline employees, and more opportunities to deepen member relationships. By providing a holistic view of member relationships and real-time account information, the platform enables greater automation behind the scenes while giving employees more time to focus on personalized financial guidance instead of manual processes. That balance between technology and human connection remains central to SECU's vision for the future. A milestone for Corelation and the industry Corelation's rise has been one of the more compelling technology success stories in the credit union movement. Since launching in 2009, the company has steadily expanded through referrals and client advocacy rather than rapid acquisition. Approaching 500 clients while continuing to attract some of the industry's largest institutions suggests the strategy has resonated throughout the market. Landis credits much of that success to collaboration, both inside the company and across the broader credit union community. "One of the best things we can do is bring credit unions together as peers," the Corelation CEO said. "They support each other, share lessons learned and proactively help one another." He called that willingness to collaborate "our industry's superpower," noting that while credit unions cannot always match the big banks dollar-for-dollar in research and development spending, they benefit from a unique culture of shared learning. Brady sees a similar competitive advantage inside SECU. "I have always said our people are our secret sauce," she said. "We listen to member feedback. We also listen to our branch and support teams all across the state who have those relationships with our members. We always ground any technology change in how it enables and improves the service to our members." Ultimately, that shared philosophy may explain why this partnership matters beyond a single implementation. The most important technology partner a credit union will ever choose is its core provider, in no small part because every future innovation depends on that relationship. With Corelation securing the largest state-chartered credit union in the country, this agreement represents not only a defining milestone for the company, but also signals that modern core technology and traditional, branch-based and relationship-driven service can advance together.  Todd Adams Alloya is proud to announce that its industry-leading Loan Participation Platform recently exceeded $4 billion in loan participation transactions. Launched in 2021 with the goal of expanding access to buying and selling pools of loan participations across the system, Alloya’s Loan Participation Platform is a shining example of what can be accomplished through the Power of Cooperation. Built from the ground up with the credit union industry in mind, buyers and sellers can quickly connect in a centralized marketplace and take advantage of greatly reduced processing time.
“Alloya is honored to serve credit unions and CUSOs with the best Loan Participation Platform in the industry,” said Todd Adams, Alloya’s CEO. “The success of the platform speaks to the Power of Cooperation and Alloya’s commitment to delivering innovative services that simplify and streamline processes that were once complicated. We are thrilled to see how its rapid growth is serving our members across the nation.” “Alloya’s Loan Participation Platform transformed what was once a time-consuming manual process into a centralized online marketplace where buyers and sellers can quickly and easily harness the power of loan participations through fully automated transactions,” said Andrew Kohl, CIO and President of Alloya Solutions. “This milestone of $4 billion in loan participation transactions on the platform testifies to the value it provides to our credit unions and CUSOs.” Rooted in the Power of Cooperation, Alloya’s Loan Participation Platform brings credit unions together to share opportunity, strengthen balance sheets and keep value within the cooperative system. More than a technology solution, the platform is supported by Alloya’s dedicated team of loan participation experts, who provide trusted guidance, personalized service and full transparency throughout every transaction. By combining collaborative lending with hands‑on support, Alloya helps credit unions work smarter, support one another and achieve more together than they could alone. To learn more about Alloya’s Loan Participation Platform, visit www.alloyacorp.org/loan-participations.  Steve Bone Payfinia, a Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO) delivering embedded instant payment and digital wallet services to credit unions, today announced a strategic partnership with Member Access Processing (MAP), a CUSO and the leading provider of the Visa DPS Debit, Credit, ATM, and Digital Payment Processing platform to credit unions nationwide. Through the partnership, MAP's network of more than 100 credit unions will gain access to Payfinia's embedded instant payment solutions, digital wallet services and emerging payment technologies designed to enhance member experiences and strengthen competitive positioning.
Payfinia and MAP partnered to provide credit unions with more modern payment capabilities, without disrupting the institution’s existing technology stack. Through the collaboration, MAP credit unions will be able to leverage Payfinia's Instant Payment Xchange (IPX) platform to enable real-time money movement through the FedNow® Service and RTP® networks. Payfinia's growing suite of payment solutions, including Paze℠ digital wallet enablement, QR code payment capabilities and the Payments Control Module (PCM) for instant loan funding and disbursement use cases, will also be available to participating institutions. “MAP has always focused on empowering credit unions to better serve their members by challenging the boundaries of payments. This partnership with Payfinia further strengthens that mission,” said Steve Bone, CEO of MAP “By bringing instant payments and embedded wallet capabilities into our ecosystem, we are helping our credit union clients deliver the kind of real-time, member-first experiences that are increasingly expected in today’s market.” The partnership reflects a shared commitment to advancing payment modernization for credit unions while preserving their independence and cooperative mission. Together, the organizations are advancing open architecture and mission-aligned innovation that enables credit unions to retain members, expand services and compete more effectively with larger financial institutions and consumer payment platforms. “Credit unions should not have to choose between innovation and continuity,” said Keith Riddle, CEO of Payfinia. “This partnership with MAP gives credit unions a practical path to add instant payments, Paze, QR code payments and a comprehensive disbursement module that compliment systems they already trust. Together, we are helping credit unions deliver secure embedded payment experiences with layered fraud controls that create real value for members and new growth opportunities.” Under the partnership, the two organizations will pursue a phased rollout beginning with foundation work, technical discovery and early-adopter identification, followed by early adopter deployments and broader scale across MAP’s credit union network. The companies will also collaborate on marketing, technical enablement and co-branded educational initiatives to help credit unions understand, adopt and maximize the value of the new payment capabilities.  Roger Ballard Continuing its commitment to advancing financial literacy in local communities, Nuvision Credit Union today announced a partnership with Greenlight® Financial Technology, Inc. (“Greenlight”) to better serve families and help the next generation build healthy financial futures.
As a result of this collaboration, Nuvision members have free† access to Greenlight, the award-winning family finance app that helps families teach kids smart money habits. “Financial literacy is central to Nuvision’s mission, and we’re proud to partner with Greenlight to provide families with practical tools that help build smart money habits from an early age,” said Roger Ballard, Nuvision CEO. Financial literacy has never been more important than it is today. According to Greenlight survey data, 91% of kids and teens believe financial knowledge is essential to achieving their goals and 94% of parents agree.* However, only 35 states require students to take a personal finance course. As a result, many young people are entering adulthood without the financial skills they need. Teens score an average of just 64% on the National Financial Literacy Test, and 81% of parents say personal finance is the most difficult life skill to teach, wishing they had more tools and resources to help prepare their children for financial success.** Greenlight provides kids and teens with valuable hands-on money management experience using a debit card and app that helps them learn how to save, earn, give and spend wisely. The platform allows parents to send money, set spending controls, receive real-time transaction notifications, automate allowances and manage chores. Through the Greenlight platform and app, kids also get access to Greenlight Level Up™, an in-app interactive financial literacy game with educational challenges, rewards and a comprehensive curriculum. “Together, we’re empowering parents to raise financially confident kids while helping families build the knowledge and habits that lead to lifelong financial well-being. It’s another way we’re fulfilling our commitment to help members live financially empowered lives and create a brighter financial future,” concluded Ballard. Nuvision members can start their free† Greenlight subscription by registering and linking their Nuvision account. Learn more at Greenlight | Nuvision Credit Union.  Velera – the nation’s premier payments CUSO and an integrated financial technology solutions provider – published the July edition of the Velera Payments Index, which includes its quarterly metrics update, featuring credit card balances, delinquencies and digital wallet activity.
While consumers have posted the largest increase in monthly purchasing activity in the past four years, and gasoline prices, though still high, have receded from their April peaks, consumer sentiment has shown signs of improvement. However, tensions with Iran have re-escalated after President Trump declared the ceasefire is off. As of July 14, the average price for a gallon of gasoline was $3.86 — 23% higher than one year ago and 31% (or $0.92) higher than when the war with Iran began on Feb. 28. Gasoline prices increased $0.08 in the last week amid reports that the Strait of Hormuz is not yet fully open. In our July 2026 edition of the Velera Payments Index, we present our quarterly metrics update, including credit card balances, delinquencies and mobile wallet activity. For June 2026, the University of Michigan Index of Consumer Sentiment increased to 49.5, a 10% jump from May’s 44.8. The increase was identified across income, wealth and political affiliation segments. Inflation remains a top concern, with over half of consumers surveyed citing the impact of high prices on their budgets. For June, the Conference Board reported that consumer sentiment in the Consumer Confidence Index increased slightly by 0.6 points to 91.2 from a downwardly revised May result of 90.6. The slight increase in confidence is attributed to dropping oil prices, with the expectation that inflation could ease in the coming weeks. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that jobs grew by 57,000 positions in June, roughly half the WSJ poll of economists' estimate of 115,000 positions. The unemployment rate slightly dropped to 4.2% in June, or 7.1 million people. June’s job growth was noted in professional and business services, social assistance and health care. Job losses were seen in the leisure and hospitality sector in June. The June ADP jobs report, which tracks changes in U.S. private employment, reported an increase of 98,000 jobs. Notable increases were posted in the education and health services, trade, transportation and utilities, and financial activities sectors. Job reductions were noted in the natural resources and mining sector. The ADP payroll population represents more than 26 million U.S. private-sector employees. For June, the BLS reported a 0.4% decline in inflation, lowering the 12-month Consumer Price Index (CPI) to 3.5%. The Energy index dropped by 5.7%, more than offsetting the increase that was reported in the shelter and food indices. Core CPI, which excludes food and energy, was unchanged in June, finishing at 2.9%. While flat at the aggregate level, decreases for the month include motor vehicle insurance, communication, apparel, medical care and used cars and trucks. Increases for June were posted in recreation, household furnishings and operations and personal care. The ongoing disconnect of how consumers feel and how they spend is ever-present in the June updates. Year-over-year growth reached its strongest level in 2026, led by activity in the Goods Sector, influenced by Amazon Prime Day, related big-box retailer sales in late June and the economic impact of the World Cup events in North America (including activity in the prediction markets). Yet, despite this spending strength, a growing number of consumers are considered financially unhealthy. Could the late summer/early fall period bring a post-World Cup slowdown in consumer spending? The next Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting concludes July 17. Federal funds target rates have remained in the 3.5% to 3.75% range. Fed members were split on the direction of interest rate adjustments in the meeting minutes, yet they voted unanimously to keep rates steady after their June meeting. “Consumer spending remains resilient and is expected to stay strong, yet inflation-adjusted growth has been modest,” said Ryan Myers, SVP, Advisors Plus, Velera. “This mix of spending is shifting toward essential expenses such as gas, energy, housing, goods and healthcare while reducing discretionary spending on categories like travel. Consumers expect inflation to remain elevated, which drives them to make purchases ahead of anticipated increases and actively seek value and discounts. Amazon Prime Day was a great demonstration: U.S. online sales reached a record $26.4 billion, up 9.3% year over year, yet average household spending fell 9%, and most purchases were apparel and household essentials.” Key takeaways for June include:
The full report is available for download here or can be shared as a PDF upon request. Please let us know of any questions or additional needs, or if you’d like to coordinate an interview. |
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