2025 NCUMA Summer Conference
Sessions
Thursday June 26
“The Fork in the Road: The Future of Advocacy in the Credit Union Movement – Current Threats and Future Opportunities” by Jason Streak
This presentation outlines the urgent crossroads facing the credit union movement, with a central thesis: the choices we make today will determine whether credit unions remain relevant and mission-driven tomorrow.
The movement faces escalating challenges from legislative, regulatory, and market forces. Chief among these are efforts to revoke the credit union tax exemption, increasing regulatory overreach, and growing misperceptions that credit unions are no different from banks. Defense credit unions play a unique and essential role in supporting servicemembers, veterans, and their families—making financial readiness a key element of national security. Credit unions must speak with one voice—but not through one organization alone. Every leader, every member, and every credit union is a voice in the movement’s chorus.
If we embrace threats and challenges with integrity and defend our mission with unity, the best days of the credit union movement still lie ahead.
“Strategic Considerations for Growth Minded Credit Unions” by Peter Duffy
Introducing The Three- Legged Stool of Strategic Planning
Material changes in consumer demographics has led to a sea change in how consumers "bank".
Simultaneously, technology has become the new "Industrial Revolution" in nearly all areas of commercial endeavors. Add to this, the rapid and significant changes to the rule book of financial services (regulation) and its no wonder boards and c-suites are losing patience with their strategic plan and planning processes.
This session will provide a robust and entertaining discussion of the changes that are revolutionizing the way most industries (and especially consumer banking) "play ball".
We will share with attendees, the good and bad of how credit unions are adapting with true stories of success and missteps, with the goal being to emulate the good where you can and avoid the missteps by learning from others' mistakes (without naming names)!
Practical and user-friendly ideas will be shared around organic growth, productive merger and meaningful strategic alliance with fintech and other potential non-CU partners.
Friday June 27
“Economic Session I” by Ed Seifried
It now appears that the Trump administration has completed a U-turn on its highly controversial tariff initiative. The market reactions to the almost daily tariff announcements were unmistakable negative. However, market chaos was not the only casualty of the tariff episode. The tariffs created confusion and distress for US monetary policy. The Fed complained that the so-called “large” tariff policy was likely to cause both higher inflation and higher unemployment. Jerome Powell stated that faced with higher inflation and higher employment, any interest rate change would only help alleviate one of the economic issues while making the other one worse. Join Dr Ed as he attempts to forecast the most likely result of the tariff controversy on inflation, unemployment and ultimately, the financial well-being of your credit union.
“Economic Session II” by Ed Seifried
It now appears that the interest rate cuts that many expected throughout 2025 will be postponed. What will happen to US growth, inflation and the labor markets is yet to be determined. Dr Ed is best known for his economic forecasting. He plans on sharing with you the forecasting techniques and methodologies that tend to produce the most accurate forecasts of inflation, interest rates and economic output. Join us as Dr Ed tries to explain what is most likely to happen in the economy in 2025-26.
Saturday June 28
"Transforming Customer Service with Voice Agents” by Gautam Ajjarapu
Discover how AI-powered voice agents are reshaping customer interactions in financial services. Learn how these technologies enhance member engagement, prevent fraud, streamline operations, and provide personalized experiences, positioning your institution at the forefront of innovation.
"Creating Tailored Member Journeys Using AI-Powered Personalization” by Gautam Ajjarapu
Explore how AI can analyze member behavior and financial patterns to identify opportunities for targeted campaigns, personalized journeys through deposit account and loan applications, and seamlessly protect the Credit Union against fraud.
Sunday June 29
"Cyber Threat Landscape Update – A Global View of the Current Cybersecurity Environment and What it Means for Your Credit Union" by Michael Duncan and Matt McGarvey
The cyber threat landscape is constantly changing, but when nation-state events converge with massive technology advancements, such as AI, along with historical regulatory change, the stakes for financial institutions are higher than they have ever been. During this discussion we will review these events and explore how credit union leaders can respond and prepare their organization to be resilient in the face these unprecedented changes.
"It Starts at the Top, - Creating a Strong Cybersecurity Culture, From the CEO, Boardroom to the Front Lines" by Michael Duncan and Matt McGarvey
Everyone agrees that the threat of a cyber-attack is a huge business risk for your credit union. But how do you ensure that cybersecurity is a priority for everyone? During this discussion we will talk about some practical, non-technical steps leaders can take from a policy, process, and organizational perspective to build a strong cybersecurity culture across your entire credit union.