Councils Conferences Underscore Commitment of America’s Credit Unions to Career Development

I believe in the trade association mission. American enterprises unify their voices through trade associations to promote best practices and strengthen their collective influence in shaping regulations and market standards.

The word “collective” in the previous sentence really means something. Trade associations enable direct competitors to gather at the same table to learn from each other, make their industries better, and extend their ability to serve customers.

Councils Conferences at America’s Credit Unions provide opportunity for career development and advancement.

It’s no different in financial services, which has benefitted immeasurably from the impetus of trade associations. Today, those include the American Bankers Association, which represents banks of all sizes on policy, regulation, and industry trends, and the Independent Community Bankers of America, which advocates for small and mid-sized community banks.

There’s been some recent association reorganization on the credit union side. In 2024, the Credit Union National Association and the National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions merged to form America’s Credit Unions, a single voice for today’s credit union industry, dedicated to advancement for all.

America’s Credit Unions extends the professional development commitment of its trade association predecessors through its council structure, which organizes the industry according to eight financial services disciplines:

• CEO
• Compliance & Risk
• Finance
• HR & Organizational Development
• Lending
• Marketing, PR & Development
• Operations & Member Experience
• Technology

Council members at America’s Credit Unions collaborate within their disciplines to share insights, develop and influence industry standards, and find new and better ways of doing things. Membership gives rising influencers access to networking opportunities and professional development resources, putting them on track to industry and association leadership.

That makes membership in an industry council through America’s Credit Unions a key advantage for industry professionals at all stages of their careers. However, exclusive Councils Conferences held throughout the year are also open to nonmembers interested in gaining ground in their respective fields.

Participating in professional development through a trade association embodies the trade association mission. At America’s Credit Unions’ 2025 Council Conferences (below in chronological order), opportunities abound for association members and nonmember professionals to access sessions with top experts, connect with peers, develop expertise, and drive career growth.

Marketing, PR & Development Council Conference, March 23-26, Austin

The Marketing, PR & Development Council connects credit union industry professionals in marketing, public relations, and business development. Each year, the Marketing, PR & Development Council Conference welcomes hundreds of professionals at all career stages.

The Marketing, PR & Development Council also sponsors the prestigious Diamond Awards, which recognize excellence in credit union marketing.

This year’s conference promises everything from a preconference workshop on Credit Union Marketing Inspired by Taylor Swift to thought-provoking sessions and breakouts on a host of relevant topics tackling diverse industry marketing challenges.

Sessions on marketing in rural areas and building community partnerships reinforce the enduring relationship between credit unions and those who strive for a better financial future. Another session, led by the chief digital and marketing officer of a $20 billion credit union, promises marketing strategies and insights for institutions of all sizes.

Credit unions are reaching out in new ways to attract new members for new kinds of business. If it’s your job to tailor your organization’s message, there’s something for you at America’s Credit Unions’ Marketing, PR & Development Council Conference.

HR Compliance Certification School & HR & OD Council Conference, April 26-30, New Orleans

The HR & Organizational Development Council is a hub for resource sharing, networking, and best practices among workforce management, leadership development, and organizational effectiveness professionals. The HR & OD Council Conference reaches out to talent management and workplace culture specialists and generalists from across the credit union spectrum.

Those interested in earning or recertifying their Certified Credit Union HR Compliance Professional (CHRCP) designations will gather in New Orleans on April 26, a day before the conference starts.

HR & OD Council conferences have consistently focused on key workforce trends and challenges in the credit union industry. Hence, the conference’s enduring value. There’s a new energy in 2025 as credit unions prepare to approach their communities with a stronger purpose. You’ll doubtlessly see that reflected among this year’s attendees.

Finance Council Conference, May 18-21, Phoenix

The Finance Council addresses credit union financial management, risk assessment, and strategic planning. The Finance Council Conference focuses on key financial management challenges and opportunities facing credit unions.

With change the only constant in finance, this year’s attendees will be thinking about interest rates, liquidity management, compliance, and sustainable growth strategies. They’ll discuss fintech trends such as digital payments and AI-driven risk assessment. And they’ll tap the zeitgeist on fraud prevention and cybersecurity.

Ultimately, conference gatherings are where strategies and tactics combine with a high-level view of market trends, inflation, and credit risk to help credit union leaders navigate their particular challenges when they get back home.

Compliance and Risk Council Conference, September 16-18, San Antonio

The Compliance & Risk Council is for professionals whose job is to manage risk and strengthen compliance strategies in an ever-changing regulatory environment. At the Compliance & Risk Council Conference, hundreds will gather to discuss how to balance those imperatives to produce the greatest benefit.

Fraud prevention and cybersecurity threats are always top of mind when compliance professionals gather. It’s not just about protecting credit unions from the outside world but protecting organizations from damage from within.

Tools to get there will involve AI-driven risk assessment and automated regulatory monitoring, but there’s no one road map to implementation. Think about the complexities of the compliance challenges facing credit unions to realize the value of a conference front-row seat.

Operations & Member Experience Council and Technology Council Conference, September 28-October 1, Phoenix

The Operations & Member Experience Council is for credit union professionals dedicated to efficiency enhancement and service delivery optimization. The Technology Council helps the IT pros in credit union organizations drive innovation, enhance security, and ultimately make systems work better for less expense.

Combining forces in a single Operations & Member Experience Council and Technology Council Conference fosters collaboration between operations and IT professionals to help everyone achieve those goals more readily and sustainably.

Lending Council Conference, November 2-5, Anaheim

Optimizing loan origination, risk management, and member service across a variety of loan products is the mission of members of the Lending Council. The Lending Council Conference juxtaposes those sometimes competing interests when it comes to commercial, mortgage, consumer, and business lending.

Attendees will look at strategies for growing auto, mortgage, and personal loan portfolios and address challenges in credit risk, interest rate volatility, and regulatory compliance. They’ll look at their field through a technology lens to get a handle on the implications of AI.

They’ll also look for more human ways to reach and serve borrowers, helping them reap the full reward of using financial services by encouraging lenders to view them in new ways.