Credit union leaders are addressing complex challenges in 2026 with a mix of confidence and caution. Economic and political uncertainty remains part of the backdrop, but the industry is starting from a position of strength. This theme came through clearly in a CUbroadcast interview with Callahan leaders.
“2025 was a really solid year for the industry,” says Jay Johnson, chief collaboration officer at Callahan & Associates. “Credit unions are well-positioned to continue helping members.”
That optimism — paired with a clear-eyed view of the challenges ahead — frames Callahan & Associates’ six credit union executive priorities for 2026. These themes aren’t a one-off thought exercise or a stand-alone report. They’re taken directly from what Callahan leaders are hearing every week in boardrooms, strategy sessions, and conversations with executives across the country.
In short, these priorities reflect what’s on leaders’ minds right now.
“With all of these issues around us, part of it is distilling where we can focus now, how quickly can we focus?” Johnson says. “A big underlying tone of that is collaborating. Learning from each other. Helping each other. We try and support that.”
The six priorities — spanning growth, technology, people, money movement, community development, and mission — aren’t meant to be tackled in isolation. Together, they point to how credit unions can stay relevant, resilient, and deeply connected to the members and communities they serve.
For leaders juggling growth, risk, and uncertainty, any one of these topics can feel overwhelming without a clear way to navigate them. Together, they form a framework that Callahan uses to help leaders focus.
“It’s the foundation for of a lot of what we do,” says Alexandra Gekas, vice president of marketing and media. “Our consulting team is on the road every week. This is embedded into how we’re framing those conversations. It’s infused in what we do throughout the year.”
Johnson and Gekas sat down with Mike Lawson for a CUbroadcast interview to unpack why these priorities matter now and how credit union leaders can use them to focus, align, and move forward.
Watch The Video Below
No matter where you are on your journey, Callahan’s facilitators can help.
Whether your credit union is navigating one or many of these priorities, Callahan can facilitate the conversation and empower your stakeholders with the data and insights to drive you forward. With more than 180 years of collective experience, we provide the guidance and support you need to ensure your team is aligned, your strategy is clear, and your goals are within reach
