The CU Growth & Innovation Summit 2026 brings together credit union executives, tech leaders, and innovators for two days of high-impact sessions. Many sessions are eligible for continuing education credit through the American Bankers Association (ABA), the Association of Certified Fraud Examiers (ACFE), and the Association for Financial Professionals (AFP). This supports certifications such as CERP, CRCM, CFMP, CTFA, CFE and CTP. Explore Continuing Education Credits Options →
Get a head start on the summit experience with VIP Early Registration. Skip the lines, pick up your materials, and enjoy a smooth check-in process before general registration begins. This exclusive window sets the tone for a premium, stress-free event experience.
Kick off your summit experience with a smooth and efficient check-in. General registration gives you access to all conference materials and sets you up for two productive days of learning, networking, and strategic conversations. Arrive early to settle in, explore the venue, and make the most of your time at the CU Growth & Innovation Summit.
Ease into the summit with a relaxed evening of light appetizers, drinks, and casual conversation. This welcoming reception offers the perfect atmosphere to connect with fellow attendees, speakers, and sponsors before the main sessions begin. Enjoy refreshments and kick off the event by building meaningful connections in a laid-back setting.
Take advantage of curated one-on-one meetings with leading solution providers, tailored to your credit union’s interests and goals. These scheduled sessions allow for focused, efficient conversations about tools, services, and strategies that can support your growth and innovation initiatives. Participation is optional, but highly recommended for attendees looking to make strategic vendor connections.
Welcome to the CU Growth & Innovation Summit! Pick up your badge, event materials, and get oriented with the venue. It’s the perfect time to meet fellow attendees and prepare for two days of impactful sessions and networking.
Reinventing the Credit Union Value Proposition in 2026” explores how credit unions can differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive and digital-first marketplace. This session will examine emerging member expectations, new service models, and strategies for aligning purpose with innovation. Attendees will gain practical insights to redefine their value proposition and drive sustainable growth.
The credit union tax exemption remains a vital pillar of the industry’s not-for-profit mission—but it's under growing scrutiny. This session explores how leaders can effectively advocate for the exemption, mobilize support, and demonstrate its value through real-world impact on members and communities. Attendees will gain advocacy strategies and communication tools to protect and promote this essential credit union advantage.
In this peer-driven discussion, credit union executives will exchange insights on the growing wave of mergers and acquisitions as a strategic path to growth. Participants will explore how to assess cultural alignment, manage leadership transitions, and maintain member trust throughout the M&A process. Expect candid conversations around what’s working—and what to avoid—when navigating collaboration and consolidation in today’s market.
This informal networking break offers attendees a chance to recharge while connecting with peers, solution providers, and industry leaders in a relaxed exhibit hall setting. Enjoy complimentary refreshments and light snacks as you continue conversations sparked during earlier sessions. It’s the perfect opportunity to build new relationships and discover innovative solutions at your own pace.
As artificial intelligence matures, credit unions are moving beyond basic automation toward deeper, data-driven member engagement. This expert panel will explore how AI is being used to personalize experiences, optimize service delivery, and enhance loyalty across the member journey. Learn how to strategically implement next-gen AI tools to drive growth, efficiency, and long-term relevance.
This exclusive evening event brings together VIP attendees, speakers, and senior executives for a private cocktail hour followed by a formal seated dinner. Designed for high-impact relationship building, the evening fosters candid conversations in an upscale, intimate setting. It’s a unique opportunity to deepen connections with key industry leaders ahead of the main conference sessions.
Our team will be on hand to welcome you, answer questions, and ensure you're set for a productive and engaging event. Start networking early and get familiar with the space before sessions begin.
Join us as we honor the winners of the CU Growth Award and CU Innovation Award, recognizing exceptional achievement in strategy, transformation, and member impact. This on-stage ceremony highlights the credit unions leading the way in growth and innovation, with brief remarks from recipients. Celebrate their success, gain insight into real-world impact, and be inspired to lead what’s next.
As credit unions expand into business banking, maintaining their core values and member-first approach becomes essential. This session examines how credit unions are scaling commercial products while staying true to their mission and service culture. Learn strategies for growth that balance innovation, operational readiness, and the unique identity that sets credit unions apart.
This session explores how aligning culture, employee experience, and brand strategy can drive sustainable growth and member loyalty. Designed as a conversation-first experience, it features real-world examples from peers leading transformation. Join us to reimagine how purpose-driven culture and brand clarity can set your credit union apart.
In this collaborative session, credit union leaders will discuss how to create consistent, connected experiences across all member touchpoints. Share strategies for aligning digital tools, in-branch service, and back-end systems to deliver a unified and personalized journey. Walk away with practical ideas for eliminating friction and boosting member satisfaction in today’s omnichannel world.
In today’s fast-changing credit union landscape, building a flexible, future-proof tech stack is no longer optional—it’s essential for growth and compliance. This peer-to-peer session will explore how leading CUs are adopting modular architectures, scalable systems, and integrated compliance frameworks that adapt to evolving member needs and regulatory demands. Attendees will share real-world approaches, lessons learned, and strategic priorities for aligning technology investment with long-term innovation goals.
Explore how credit unions are leveraging financial wellness as a catalyst for organizational growth. In this peer-led session, CU leaders will discuss how purpose-driven wellness initiatives enhance loyalty, strengthen community impact, and unlock new growth opportunities across lending, deposits, and engagement. Share strategies for aligning financial empowerment with business outcomes to drive sustainable success for both members and the credit union.
Join fellow attendees for a fully catered lunch designed to spark conversation and connection. This shared dining experience combines great food with high-quality networking, offering a relaxed setting to deepen relationships and exchange ideas. It’s where business insights and industry connections come together—one plate at a time.
As the regulatory landscape evolves, staying ahead of examiner expectations is more critical than ever. This panel will feature compliance and risk experts discussing emerging trends, shifting oversight priorities, and strategies for safeguarding your institution’s reputation. Attendees will gain forward-looking insights to strengthen governance and stay prepared for what’s next in 2026 and beyond.
Join credit union leaders for a peer-led discussion on how data and analytics are transforming the lending landscape. Share strategies for using member insights to optimize underwriting, personalize offers, and identify new growth opportunities. This session will focus on practical ways to turn data into smarter, faster, and more effective lending decisions.
This informal networking break offers attendees a chance to recharge while connecting with peers, solution providers, and industry leaders in a relaxed exhibit hall setting. Enjoy complimentary refreshments and light snacks as you continue conversations sparked during earlier sessions. It’s the perfect opportunity to build new relationships and discover innovative solutions at your own pace.
In today’s cautious economic environment, credit unions must find innovative ways to expand lending without compromising risk management. This panel brings together lending and strategy experts to share what's driving success—from targeted loan programs to smarter analytics and member-focused approaches. Attendees will gain actionable insights to grow their portfolios while staying aligned with prudent risk practices.
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