SNC Spotlight

Insurance can be complex. Turn to our blog for up-to-date, relevant content to help you make the best decisions for your financial institution. With expert knowledge from seasoned industry professionals, we simplify insurance topics so you can get back to business.
All Posts

Charting the Course for 2025: Bright Ideas and Bold Strategies from Our Client Advisory Council

Bright Ideas and Bold Strategies from Our Client Advisory Council

SN CAC 2020 logo

At State National, collaboration isn’t just a buzzword — it’s the foundation of how we work with our credit union partners to drive growth and innovation. That’s one of the reasons we created our Client Advisory Council (CAC), a forum where some of our most valued partners can share information, collaborate with peers, and let us know their most important concerns so we can strategically develop solutions to benefit all credit unions.

That spirit of partnership was on full display at our Q4 2024 Client Advisory Council (CAC) meeting in vibrant New Orleans. We were thrilled to welcome back our CAC members as well as Jeff Rendel, a credit union industry expert and president of Rising Above Enterprises, who kept us all captivated with his insightful presentation and lively discussion facilitation.

CAC Blog Graphics-1

From purpose-driven growth to game-changing technologies, our conversations were as inspiring as they were actionable. It is our hope that these insights will help equip all of our credit union partners with tools and strategies to make 2025 a standout year.

Here’s a look at some of the most exciting takeaways we uncovered.

 

 

 

Purpose-Driving Banking: A Foundation for Strategic Growth

The meeting kicked off with a compelling message about purpose-driven banking — the philosophy that staying true to your mission and community roots lays the groundwork for long-term success. Our CAC members dove into insightful conversations about how combining profitability with authentic community connection can create loyalty that lasts.

 
Volunteering and Community EngagementBeige Background and Simple Border Good Morning Quote

Community outreach is a foundational value of the credit union movement, and our CAC’s organizations are no exception. Several of our members shared creative ways they are encouraging employees to give back, such as offering paid volunteer hours, or organizing impactful events like breast cancer awareness walks. These efforts not only strengthen community bonds but also align credit unions’ values with member expectations.

 

Branches That Build Trust

Even in a digital-first world, credit union branches are evolving — not disappearing. Attendees discussed shifting to smaller, more cost-efficient branch designs, turning them into “billboards” that showcase a local commitment while maintaining the personal touch members value.

 

Mergers With Meaning

Several discussions about the challenges and opportunities in mergers revealed a common trend: They’re not just about growth — they’re about ensuring relevance in a rapidly evolving market. Rather than merely expanding reach, the focus is on staying member-centric in an era of rapid market evolution. By balancing scale with the personal connections that define credit unions, our CAC members are finding ways to grow without losing sight of their roots.

 

Leading with Technology: Innovation, Automation, and Artificial Intelligence

Our next session moved to another hot topic — leveraging new technologies to streamline operations and elevate member experiences. Technology’s potential for transformation cannot be overstated, and our CAC members shared successes, challenges, and breakthroughs. From automation to AI to data-driven insights, they described how technology’s transformative power is reshaping their operations and member experiences.

 

AI in the Driver’s Seat

Imagine approving 80% of loans automatically while improving decision-making accuracy and reducing costs — that’s exactly what some credit unions are achieving with AI. Advanced analytics are also uncovering patterns undetectable to human underwriters, reshaping everything from credit decisions to long-term planning.

 
Chatbots and SMS Channels That Connect

Our CAC members also highlighted the practical perks of automation in member interactions. AI-powered intelligent chatbots are saving time by handling routine inquiries, freeing staff to focus on more meaningful, relationship-driven problem-solving. SMS communication is proving especially useful in sensitive areas like collections, enabling credit unions to reach out to their members in ways that feel approachable and respectful while also increasing engagement.

 

Overcoming Resistance to Automation

Introducing new tech isn’t always smooth sailing, and our group shared strategies for overcoming resistance. The key? Clear communication that shows automation isn’t about replacing people but eliminating repetitive tasks to create room for high-skill, high-value roles. In the experience of our CAC members, patience and reassurance have been integral to gaining staff buy-in.

 

Opportunities for Growth: New Products and Revenue Streams

Looking ahead, participants explored innovative product ideas and fresh revenue streams designed to meet their members’ evolving needs. Here are some standout opportunities our CAC credit unions are pursuing.

 
Subscription Accounts with Member Perks

Subscription-based checking accounts that bundle services like fraud protection, identity monitoring, and mobile phone insurance for a nominal monthly fee are gaining traction. Not only do these offerings generate a steady revenue stream of non-interest income, but they also solidify member relationships by providing high-value benefits.

 
Empowering Small Businesses

Expanding access to microloans and streamlined small business lending emerged as key growth areas. These offerings allow credit unions to fill gaps left by other lending channels, helping underserved entrepreneurs access the capital they need to succeed.

 
Faster Than Ever Before

With the rise of real-time payment systems, instant debit card issuance, and more instant, digital-first experiences, the demand for faster transactions continues to grow. Many credit unions, including our CAC partners, are exploring technologies like FedNow to meet the growing demand for instant, seamless transactions.

 

An Eye on the Future: Partnering for Tomorrow

Our final CAC of 2024 meeting reinforced the credit union industry’s shared mission: balancing innovation with meaningful human connection. State National is proud to stand beside our credit union partners as they continue to create, connect, and grow.

As we move into 2025, we’re more excited than ever to see what the future holds for credit unions and our CAC partners. We’ll keep working together to innovate and push boundaries, and we’ll keep sharing the insights that can help your credit union thrive.

To stay updated on the SN CAC and discover how State National is helping credit unions thrive, follow us on LinkedIn.

Here’s to a new year filled with purpose, progress, and partnerships!Untitled design-1

 

Heather Clyde
Heather Clyde
As Content Marketing Manager at State National, Heather Clyde is an experienced digital marketer heading up State National's marketing content team. From inbound and outbound communication, media management and SEO, to complete content strategy, Heather and her team are the ones making it happen. Heather is also the Program Director of State National's Client Advisory Council.

Related Posts

Strategic Insights for the Modern Credit Union

Addressing Challenges, Seizing Opportunities

Your Partner in Protection: Compliance Without Compromise

Compliance You Can Trust, Transparency You Can See Balancing risk management and regulatory compliance while maintaining strong borrower relationships is no easy task. At State National, we understand the weight of this responsibility. Protecting your financial institution, your borrowers, and your reputation is at the core of our work. That’s why our mission is to deliver industry-leading portfolio protection solutions anchored by innovative technology, unmatched transparency, and steadfast reliability. How State National Ensures CPI Compliance At State National, compliance isn’t just a priority, it’s built into everything we do. We know lenders face mounting challenges, including economic uncertainty and heightened regulatory scrutiny. That’s why we’ve developed a comprehensive approach that goes far beyond checklists; it’s about operating with integrity and ensuring our programs exceed regulatory and operational expectations. Industry Expertise You Can Rely On Regulatory Expertise: Our skilled team actively monitors federal and state-level mandates to ensure your program remains compliant. Whether it’s evolving regulations or precise documentation requirements, we’ve got you covered. In-House Compliance Department: Our on-site team employs strict, measurable quality control processes. Proactive Adherence: This same dedicated team manages over 50,000 regulatory filings annually, helping you stay ahead of federal and state mandates, including guidance on NCUA, CFPB, and other key industry regulations. Comprehensive Audits: Our meticulous audits and legal reviews ensure your institution is prepared not just for current regulations but also for future challenges. Proven Reliability: State National achieved the prestigious 'A' (Excellent) rating from AM Best the very first year we were eligible, and we have held that rating for 30+ consecutive years — a testament to our exceptional financial strength and dependability. Future-Forward Research: We actively collaborate with industry organizations and regulatory bodies to anticipate and adapt to upcoming compliance changes, ensuring you and your organization are always ahead of the curve. Comprehensive Risk Management Our industry-best risk management services go above and beyond to protect your institution, ensuring compliance every step of the way. From data security to borrower communication, we incorporate rigorous measures, including bulletproof audit trails and prevention-focused processes, to safeguard against potential missteps. Accurate, prevention-first approach reduces unnecessary borrower touches. Focused portfolio protection expertise with decades of specialized experience. Complete audit trails for ongoing compliance visibility. Proper licensing for all State National claims adjusters to ensure claims are always handled in accordance with required regulations. Ongoing annual training for all relevant employees on the proper handling of PII, Fair Claims Handling, best practices for data security and controls — phishing, quishing, physical security both in and out of office, and more. Borrower submission of insurance information directly to us minimizes the risk of lost documentation. As the only dedicated portfolio protection provider that is also the underwriter, we don't act as a broker like other providers do — we are able to streamline communication and eliminate unnecessary handoffs and information sharing. Taking the Extra Step at Every Step Because every state department of insurance operates differently, we've also gone above and beyond to meet each state's unique regulatory standards. We create state-specific notices tailored to these requirements, and also carefully develop all of our borrower notice cycles to align with each state's precise notification guidelines. Advanced Technology Tools for Simplified Compliance Solutions Staying compliant in a rapidly changing financial environment requires advanced tools and forward-thinking innovation. That’s why State National integrates advanced technology into every facet of portfolio protection, designed to simplify compliance while improving efficiency and control. Our proactive approach ensures that the vast majority of insurance updates — about 79% — are handled completely behind the scenes, with no lender or borrower involvement. We employ extensive automation to maximize accuracy and efficiency, including our well-established EDI process, cutting-edge AI tools including insurance search and verification technology, Intelligent Document Processing (IDP), automated text and email notifications, and more. What Does Technology Have To Do With Compliance? Because of the unprecedented speed and accuracy of these automation efficiencies, our fast, effective, low-touch resolution reduces the risk of uninsured borrowers while enhancing operational precision. With 97.5% of borrower insurance issues completely resolved prior to any certificate placement, your institution avoids the compliance pitfalls that come with false placements. The InsurTrak Advantage In addition, our proprietary InsurTrak platform simplifies insurance tracking and reporting, giving you the tools needed for real-time program oversight, clear audit trails, and automated accuracy to prepare for any internal or external review. InsurTrak also automates payment changes, adds, and refunds, heightening speed and accuracy and avoiding the slowdowns and errors that come with manual processing. InsurTrak’s transparency is unmatched by any other insurance tracking platform — you can see real-time borrower data and a complete borrower history, see any communication including chat logs, and even listen to recorded borrower calls on-demand, right in the system. All of the information you need is at your fingertips — you are never in the dark. Proven Reliability Through Experience Over more than five decades, we’ve built a legacy of reliability, with a commitment to providing consistent excellence. From our implementation team that draws on years of expertise to make every transition seamless, to our highly responsive dedicated Client Executives and Account Reps who know your individual program inside and out, we do everything we can to ensure every partnership is successful. When you work with State National, you gain more than just a portfolio protection provider; you gain a partner whose focus is safeguarding your institution’s long-term success.

SNCares 2024 Recap

Community, Care, and Connection: SNCares Year in Review From grants to giving hands, here are some of the ways we made a difference in 2024 At State National, giving back isn’t just something we do — it’s part of who we are. That’s one of the reasons we created SNCares, a companywide committee dedicated to service and philanthropy. Over the past year, we’ve had the privilege of partnering with dedicated organizations and contributing to meaningful causes that uplift our communities. From grants and donations to hands-on volunteering, our dedicated team members embraced hundreds of opportunities to make an impact. The stories shared here are just a glimpse of the meaningful work we accomplished together, both as individuals and as a company, throughout the year. We hope you enjoy this snapshot of the many ways we came together in 2024 to make a difference and help create a brighter future for those around us!