DCUC And Scott Credit Union Address Future Of Member Service At DCUC Midwest Sub-Council Conference
By CU Today Staff —
ST. LOUIS—Artificial intelligence, fraud prevention, regulatory changes and the future of credit unions were among the key issues discussed by Midwest credit union leaders during the Defense Credit Union Council’s 2026 Midwest Sub-Council Conference, held Oct. 5-7 and co-hosted by Scott Credit Union.
“The future of the credit union movement is being shaped by the choices we make now. We have to be effective advocates, understand where technology is taking us and protect the trust our members place in us,” said Anthony Hernandez, DCUC president/CEO and retired U.S. Air Force colonel. “DCUC brought these issues together in St. Louis so leaders could see how they connect and take a clearer sense of direction back to their credit unions. Our members deserve institutions that are ready for what comes next.”
Advocacy was central to the program. Federal advocacy discussions and state legislative updates gave attendees a broader view of the policy environment in which their credit unions operate. Decisions in Washington and state capitals can affect the cost of serving members, access to financial services and the ability to compete. Bringing those perspectives together reinforced the importance of credit union leaders staying engaged and making the needs of their members part of the policy conversation.
Artificial intelligence was addressed as a leadership and planning issue, with AI governance included in the discussion of growth and long-term relevance. As credit unions evaluate emerging technology, the choices extend beyond which tools to adopt to how those tools will be overseen and how they will support member service. A dedicated fraud discussion examined what credit unions are seeing now, placing immediate risks alongside the longer-term questions about innovation. Together, these subjects highlighted the need to pursue new capabilities while protecting member trust, DCUC said.
Regulatory discussions examined developments at the NCUA, CFPB, Treasury and other federal agencies, with attention to what credit unions should watch as they prepare for 2027. For leadership teams, understanding that direction is essential to planning investments, managing risk and allocating resources. The program connected regulatory awareness to the practical challenge of keeping credit unions prepared to serve as expectations change.
“Whether you are weighing a technology investment, responding to a fraud threat or planning for growth, you need to know what is coming and what your peers are learning,” said Frank Padak, president/CEO of Scott Credit Union and First Vice Chair of the DCUC board. “This conference gave us room to work through those questions together. DCUC delivered substantive discussions about the choices in front of us, with the needs of our members at the center of the conversation. Scott Credit Union was proud to help bring that experience to St. Louis.”
The future of the credit union movement ran throughout the program. Changing demographics and uneven consumer demand are challenging assumptions about growth, while accelerating digital payments and continued consolidation are reshaping how members choose financial services. The conference linked those forces to decisions about payments strategy, technology and long-term relevance. For credit unions planning for 2027 and beyond, the task is to adapt to changing expectations while preserving the personal relationships and cooperative purpose that distinguish member-owned institutions.
Community connections gave those strategic discussions a local and human dimension. The Scott Credit Union and St. Louis Blues partnership offered a look at how credit unions build relationships beyond their branches. The Veterans Community Project brought attention to the needs of veterans in St. Louis, reinforcing why a credit union’s future must remain connected to the people and communities it serves, DCUC said.
At the conference conclusion, Scott CU presented a $2500 donation to Veterans Community Project to help support their mission. Hernandez announced that DCUC would match Scott CU’s donation.
“The credit union commitment to our military and their families doesn’t end when they take off the uniform,” Hernandez added. “There are too many veterans struggling to make ends meet, and we are honored to support a program doing the hard work of meeting these needs.”
Originally reported by CU Today.