By George Hofheimer

At the Filene Research Institute we have the luxury to think about the future of credit unions every day. We accomplish this task by working with academic experts on research projects or the next generation of credit union leaders on innovation programs. Sometimes we use old fashioned methods like gathering around the water cooler and bouncing ideas off each other.

By Matt Stratton

By Trey Reeme

“The idea of creating a blog is one that interests me. We are seriously considering including a blog with our new site,” began the e-mail from the CEO of a 5,000-member credit union. It was six months ago, and I was thrilled to hear it.

By Barb Kachelski, CAE

“Your members don’t care,” came to my mind in a flashback from CUES’ CEO Institute II at Cornell University. The statement was not disparaging of either the credit union or the member. What the professor was getting at is that to a member, your credit union’s processes or problems don’t matter. What matters to them is whether you can fulfill their needs.

By Henry Wirz

By Mary Martha Fortney

By Calvin K. Clemons, CAE, CMP

Make no mistake about it, the principle duty of a board of directors, and thereby each director, is to lead and care for the organization. This authority is passed along by law, but obligations accompany it.

What will retail banking look like in the next decade? IBM has published an interesting white paper, "IBM's Paradox of Banking 2015," that suggests, among other things, that customers will continue redefining the rules of the game and that "universal banks and ultra-focused niche players will thrive."

At its Jan. 19 meeting, the NCUA Board proposed a rule to limit underserved area expansions to multiple common bond credit unions. The agency is also recommending a provision that a "physical presence be established in an added underserved area to ensure an active credit union role and better serve local residents."