Credit Union Technology-Credit union technology must make every effort to differentiate itself in the cutthroat financial sector from other credit unions, traditional banks, and disruptive fintech firms. How do credit unions compete?
Even the tiniest community credit unions can succeed in a crowded market by embracing recent technological advancements. You’ll learn the essential features you’ll need to draw in new members and realize the full potential of your lending portfolio in our guide to the top five credit union technology trends of 2020.
The global epidemic began two years ago and has accelerated technology deployment. These adjustments were necessary across various sectors, including the financial services, to guarantee that service providers could continue to function while still in compliance with laws.
Credit unions must stay on top of digital trends due to various causes, including rapidly changing member preferences and innovative technologies. For credit unions to address these new difficulties, survive, and prosper in 2022 and beyond, they must consider technology developments as they contend with more competitive environments and a climate with stricter regulatory requirements.
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Five Credit Union Technology Trends to Pay Attention
Your technology needs to assist you in your attempts to deliver the most satisfactory service possible. If you continue to organize loans and maintain customer information using an antiquated legacy system, you will quickly fall behind competing financial services companies. Keeping in touch with your clients, supporting their information up to date (and safe), and constructing low-risk loans with attractive interest rates are much simpler when using the most recent banking and lending software.
Which updates ought to be prioritized while upgrading your legacy system? The top five developments in credit union technology for 2020 are as follows:
- Cloud technology and storage;
- Advanced data analytics;
- Machine learning and artificial intelligence;
- Multichannel automation; and
- Bolstered cloud security and compliance.
Here is what you need to know about each of these credit union technology trends before you update your banking and lending system:
Cloud technology and storage;
Mobile banking was previously the industry standard for financial institutions when it came to using the most recent technology. However, credit unions are starting to see the advantages of going one step further now that practically all financial institutions embrace mobile banking in some capacity. For mobile banking to be more effective, more credit unions are updating their systems to integrate some, all, or possibly all of cloud computing and storage. Using the cloud is:
It is frequently more cost-effective (less server upkeep), often as safe as data kept locally, and excellent for undertaking in-depth data analysis and backing up crucial data.
There is less learning curve when you outsource cloud technology to a reputable, experienced provider who will also share their expertise. Modern technology is so. As a result, the learning curve is slight. More service providers are switching to a cloud-based banking and lending system since the technology is now so safe, accessible, and straightforward.
Advanced-Data Analytics
Data is, without a doubt, the most effective instrument available to credit unions. The only issue is that many credit unions aren’t entirely using their data. As a result, the emergence of sophisticated data analytics software, which was previously only accessible to giant banks, is one of the top credit union technology trends of 2020.
Credit unions can now use the same technology at a far lower price. Even smaller credit unions are assessing loan risk using extremely sophisticated analytics techniques like alternative credit data, predictive modelling, real-time trends, in-depth data visualizations, and more. Additionally, data analytics aids in resolving past-due loans promptly and minimizing default rates. Prioritize data analytics if you only made one improvement to your loan management system in 2020.
Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
The most prosperous credit unions are already utilizing machine learning algorithms to structure low-risk loans, lower default rates, and increase client satisfaction. You can:
Learn from previous defaults or late loans and identify common risk factors. Then, manage your current portfolio through automatic pricing and line of credit modifications. Finally, recognize your client’s demands and set up automatic notifications or services that anticipate these needs.
Quickly respond to consumer inquiries and maintain regular contact. You don’t need to engage a sizable workforce of loan officers and customer care representatives to provide these advanced services. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are practical.
Multichannel Automation
Contacting credit unions is now possible through a variety of methods for customers. They provide several options for getting in touch with a representative: calling them directly, calling a branch, emailing them, or using their mobile banking app. So how can credit unions use all these mediums to stay in touch while not missing a beat?
Automating many channels is the solution. For example, this credit union technology trend uses auto-replies and other autonomous decision-making techniques to answer a customer’s enquiries right away.
The quickness with which it facilitates financing is another factor contributing to the popularity of this credit union technological trend. You can obtain a decision on a loan or new line of credit within minutes by upgrading your legacy LOS to one that has automated functionality. It prevents both your employees and consumers from wasting time.
Increased Cloud Security and Compliance
You must uphold vital compliance requirements and ensure that your customers’ data is well-protected whenever you update a system or use new technology.
To achieve this, you need to collaborate with a knowledgeable LOS provider and additional data security professionals to:
- Back up your data,
- encrypt sensitive information,
- obtain alternative credit data fairly and legally,
- safeguard your consumers from typical frauds and illegal account activity, and more.
Ensure each employee has a secure login and grant them access to only the information required to do their tasks.
Concentrating on these security issues will protect clients and shield your credit union from excessive fines and legal difficulties. The most sophisticated LOS systems and banking software available today are made.
How to Take Advantage of All of These Trends
The initial step is to be aware of the leading credit union technology trends. Then, how can your banking and loan system adopt all of these significant trends? Next, you require new, all-encompassing software.
These five crucial functions are now combined into a single service in the most sophisticated credit union software. You can upgrade the loan origination software (LOS) at your credit union to securely store sensitive data in the cloud;
- automatically do in-depth analyses of client and loan data; and
- use AI and machine learning to enhance portfolio performance.
- adhere to the most recent rules governing mobile banking and loans; and
- Provide more lending options, better rates, and excellent customer service to your consumers.
These are only a few benefits you’ll experience if you upgrade. With these tools, you’ll stay ahead of the competition and prove that your credit union is the best choice for savvy customers.
Conclusion:
Finally, rather than assuming that customers will look for financial products and services independently, credit unions need to understand better how they may integrate financial services into members’ economic life. Credit unions might profit from adopting this strategy, frequently used by startups and fintech trying to disrupt the financial services industry.