How Leadership, Strategy and Technology Drive Credit Union Innovation

The MD|DC Credit Union Association’s 2026 Tech Summit brought together more than 100 credit union and tech leaders to explore how leadership, strategy and technology work together to drive successful innovation.

Sessions focused on artificial intelligence, fraud prevention, digital assets and fintech investment, with speakers emphasizing the importance of making technology decisions that strengthen member relationships and support long-term organizational goals.

“Credit unions are facing a lot of choices right now — where to invest, which technologies make sense, how quickly to move, and how to make sure those decisions support the experience members expect and the trust they already have in their credit union,” said John Bratsakis, CEO of the MD|DC Credit Union Association. “The Tech Summit is about helping leaders make those choices with greater confidence and a clear understanding of how technology can advance their strategy.”

Dr. Jim Liew, President of SoKat Consulting and adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins University, discussed how credit unions can use artificial intelligence and member data to better understand member needs, identify opportunities for growth and deliver more relevant experiences. He noted that credit unions may have an advantage with AI because of the strong relationships and knowledge they already have of their members.

Nicole Reyes, Managing Vice President at Velera, addressed emerging fraud trends and how credit unions can strengthen detection and prevention. She emphasized the importance of combining technology, data and organizational readiness to identify threats and better protect members.

Jed Meyer, President and CEO of St. Cloud Financial Credit Union, shared his credit union’s approach to digital assets and encouraged leaders to consider the infrastructure decisions needed today to participate in future financial networks while protecting member relationships and relevance.

April Clobes, President and CEO of MSUFCU and CEO and President of the Reseda Group, examined ways credit unions can invest in fintech, including direct investments, Credit Union Service Organizations, industry funds and co-investments.

John Ainsworth, General Manager of Metallicus, moderated panel discussions on AI and digital assets, highlighting that successful innovation requires clear strategy, strong leadership and thoughtful investment decisions.