DCUC Conference 2026: Visa To Credit Unions—Don't Make This Costly Payments Mistake
By CU Today Staff —
AVENTURA, Fla.— Artificial intelligence may be transforming payments, but trust—not technology—will determine which credit unions succeed as digital assets, faster payments and fraud threats reshape the financial landscape, speakers said during a panel discussion at the Defense Credit Union Council's Annual Conference Tuesday.
Moderated by DCUC Chief Advocacy Officer Jason Stverak, the session, "Payments at an Inflection Point: Policy, Innovation & Member Trust," featured Pace Bradshaw, Visa's senior vice president and head of North America government affairs, and Maria Martinez, president and CEO of $270-millio Border FCU in Del Rio, Texas.
The discussion ranged from AI and stablecoins to cross-border payments and fraud, but repeatedly returned to a central message: members will embrace innovation only if credit unions continue to earn their trust.
L-R: Jason Stverak, Maria Martinez and Pace Bradshaw.
Stverak framed the discussion by noting that payments policy has evolved well beyond debates over interchange, becoming a broader discussion over how Americans access and participate in the economy. Throughout the conversation, he steered the panel toward practical issues credit union leaders should be addressing today, emphasizing that members increasingly expect payments that are fast, secure and seamless while institutions face growing threats from AI-enabled fraud. He also stressed that, because of the trust credit unions have built with members, they will remain the first call when fraud occurs, making preparation and education essential.
Bradshaw told attendees the payments industry is experiencing unprecedented change driven by artificial intelligence, digital assets and political developments, adding that leaders should resist chasing every new technology simply because it is generating headlines. Instead, he urged credit unions to focus on member needs, designate an executive responsible for payments strategy and ensure security remains the foundation of every innovation. Visa, he said, continues investing heavily in fraud prevention and cybersecurity so institutions of every size—not just the nation's largest banks—can compete by offering trusted payment services.
Martinez said that challenge is especially evident at her Texas-based credit union, which serves members along the U.S.-Mexico border and at Laughlin Air Force Base. She noted that members are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with some already using AI to research regulations and fraud rights before contacting the credit union. At the same time, she said, institutions must continue investing in mobile capabilities, resilient infrastructure and backup systems while ensuring employees remain knowledgeable enough to guide members through an increasingly digital payments environment.
Cross-border payments emerged as another key theme. Martinez said her credit union continues to see significant cash movement into Mexico and is evaluating Visa's remittance capabilities as legacy transfer options are phased out. She emphasized that serving border communities requires balancing faster payments with extensive compliance responsibilities to verify both senders and recipients while protecting against fraud and illicit activity. Bradshaw added that stablecoins could become an increasingly important tool for cross-border payments and business settlement, allowing transactions to clear seven days a week while improving predictability for international commerce.
Both panelists also argued that AI should be viewed as an enhancement—not a replacement—for employees. Martinez encouraged credit unions to use AI to make staff more effective while continuing to retrain workers as technology changes. Stverak echoed that sentiment, cautioning institutions not to lose the human element that distinguishes credit unions from larger competitors.
"That's what separates us from our corporate friends in the banking industry," he said. "We care about people."
Looking ahead, Bradshaw predicted fraud prevention will remain the industry's defining challenge as criminals increasingly leverage AI to launch sophisticated attacks. He noted Visa recently expanded its cybersecurity capabilities and said the company continuously updates AI models as new fraud patterns emerge anywhere in the world, allowing institutions across its network to benefit from those defenses.
Martinez urged credit union executives to return home and work closely with compliance teams to identify suspicious transaction patterns before fraud occurs, while Stverak closed by reminding attendees that congressional attention on AI-driven fraud is only intensifying—and that maintaining member trust will remain credit unions' greatest competitive advantage.
Originally reported by CU Today.