Peak season can put significant pressure on small and mid-size businesses, from managing inventory and staffing to maintaining healthy cash flow and preventing fraud. For credit unions, however, these challenges create an opportunity to demonstrate their value. By providing proactive financial guidance, faster payment capabilities, and stronger fraud protection, credit unions can help SMB members navigate periods of increased demand while strengthening relationships that support long-term growth.

PayOnward and Children’s Miracle Network are partnering to make it easier for credit union members to support local children’s hospitals through the digital channels they already use. The partnership brings turnkey, secure giving experiences to credit unions, helping make charitable donations more accessible while strengthening member engagement and community impact.

In this expert opinion, PayOnward CEO Cary Strange explains why trust alone is no longer enough for credit unions to compete. He explores how AI, real-time payments, and operational agility are redefining member expectations and shaping the future of financial services.

In a conversation with The Credit Union Connection, PayOnward CEO Cary Strange discusses the evolving role of AI in credit unions, the future of payments, and how technology can help financial institutions deliver greater value to members and small businesses.

PayOnward is strengthening its operations, sales, and marketing leadership as demand for modern financial solutions continues to grow across the credit union industry. Ahead of GAC 2026, the company is expanding its leadership capabilities to support its next phase of growth and better serve credit unions and their members.