It’s September. They just put up a Spirit Halloween sign on the abandoned building that used to be a CVS. You’re starting to get mail about the upcoming Fall Carnival at your local church. That’s all to say…2027 is speeding towards you. So, what does your credit union strategy you do with the time you have left?
1. Get Strategic
Whether you’re making a whole new strategic plan or revisiting a plan you made earlier, take a hard look at your strategy before 2027. See what you should start, stop or throw in the trash. Where do you need to pivot? If tactical firefighting dominated your 2026, now’s your chance to travel 30,000 feet up and look at the horizon. And if there’s nothing to change, see how you can make more time for your credit union strategy next year (at least once a quarter).
2. Budget Wisely
“Follow the money.” A common expression used in investigations, but it’s too often a reality for how you plan the next year. Your plan or priorities follow the money rather than the money following your priorities. Think proactively about your budget, what makes the most impact and what additional items need money. For example, you budget for a systems conversion…but what about the staff development you need to keep people from jumping ship during the process? It’ll be different for everyone, but home in on your top priorities before homing in on the money.
3. Assess Your Marketing
This is a prime time of year to assess your marketing (whether on your own or with outside help). Don’t let your pitfalls of 2026 carry over into your 2027 credit union strategy. And don’t let your positive efforts get eliminated! Look at your marketing strategy, your marketing collateral, your social media and your website. Identify the good, bad and ugly so you communicate effectively in the new year.
4. Follow the Trends
Following consumer behavior is an important part of preparing for 2027. It helps hone your message and gives you a direction if you need to shift gears. A few fast trends: a population of “Invisible Prime” consumers exist with responsible behaviors but thin credit files; you might ignore credit cards as a brand touchpoint, with only 48% of your cardholders putting your card top-of-wallet; AI and social media are becoming increasingly important in the consumer decision-making process.
5. Celebrate the Wins
This is something I must remind my more cynical team members to do, and maybe you (or someone on your team) needs the reminder too. Amid the craziness, remember to pause and celebrate the wins before 2027. You did great things this year. Don’t let the rough patches take your joy from you. Something Michael Hyatt recommends in his Full Focus planners is to write down daily wins. Build your win library to fuel you during the tough moments of credit union strategy.
When preparing, keep in mind…you don’t know what you don’t know. Get a fresh set of eyes to help you assess your marketing or train your staff. Book a consultation to chat.
FAQS: CREDIT UNION STRATEGY TIPS TO PREPARE FOR 2027
What should credit unions prioritize in Q4 to prepare for the new year?
Five things: revisiting or building a strategic plan, budgeting around priorities rather than just numbers, assessing marketing effectiveness, tracking consumer trends, and pausing to celebrate what went well. Each one sets up a stronger start to 2027.
How should credit unions approach strategic planning this late in the year?
Use Q4 to identify what to start, stop, or scrap entirely. If 2026 was dominated by tactical firefighting, now is the time to step back and look at the bigger picture. If the plan is basically sound, focus on building in more regular strategic touchpoints — at least quarterly — for next year.
What's the most common budgeting mistake credit unions make heading into the new year?
Letting the money determine the priorities instead of the other way around. Effective budgeting starts with identifying your top priorities, then allocating resources to match — not the reverse. A common blind spot: budgeting for a systems conversion but not for the staff development needed to get people through it without turnover.
What consumer trends should credit unions be watching as they plan for 2027?
Three worth tracking: a growing segment of “Invisible Prime” consumers with responsible financial behavior but thin credit files; low top-of-wallet rates for credit cards (only 48% of cardholders put their institution’s card first); and AI and social media playing an increasing role in consumer financial decision-making.
Why is celebrating wins part of a smart year-end credit union strategy?
Because teams that only focus on what went wrong lose momentum. Acknowledging real wins — even small daily ones — builds the resilience needed to navigate the hard parts of strategy execution. It’s not just morale management; it’s a practical tool for sustaining performance into the new year.
