Visionary 2025 has wrapped up, and what a year it was. Our most well-attended event ever, packed with record numbers of credit unions, partners and prospects, showcased exactly why this conference is the must-attend gathering for anyone in the credit union space.
From compelling keynotes to hands-on breakouts and lively networking, here’s a look back at the highlights that made Visionary 2025 truly exceptional.
Record Attendance & Fresh Faces
This year’s attendance was the highest in Visionary history, with more credit union clients, prospective institutions and sponsor partners than ever before. We were especially thrilled to welcome a wave of first-time attendees, including long-time CU*SOUTH clients who hadn’t previously experienced Visionary in person. Their fresh perspectives added new energy to every session and conversation.
Keynote Highlights
Stacie VanDenBerghe’s keynote: “Innovate and Elevate: Building a Future-Ready Credit Union” resonated immediately with attendees.
She urged credit unions to balance in-branch and digital experiences, reminding everyone that more than ever before, credit unions must become future-focused. This means staying focused on what credit unions can do instead of what they can’t. Her practical insights on surviving, striving and thriving in today’s marketplace left many nodding in agreement and sparked lively hallway discussions afterward.
In her engrossing keynote, Theresa Payton took the audience on a whirlwind journey through her own White House experiences as the first female CIO for a presidential administration. Her clever anecdote about using fast food meals and popular snacks to teach security policies stuck with everyone, which is proof that the most memorable lessons often come from completely unexpected places.
She also offered real-world tips on spotting AI deepfakes, preventing check-washing fraud and staying a step ahead of emerging threats. Attendees left with concrete action items to protect their institutions now and in the future.
Bob West: CU*SOUTH’s Year in Review & Vision for the Future
CU*SOUTH CEO Bob West added to the keynote lineup with a clear look back at CU*SOUTH’s successes in 2024 and an inspired roadmap for 2025. He highlighted the growth of the CUSO’s Essential Services, and celebrated the recent acquisition of IFS and the expansion of our fractional CFO service.
His message underscored how diversification through mergers and acquisitions (like incorporating IFS and supporting the in-network merger of Florida Rural Electric Credit Union and Calhoun Liberty Credit Union) strengthens both CU*SOUTH and the credit unions it serves.
Breakout Sessions & Demo Labs
CBX, the web-based version of CU*BASE, was undoubtedly a hot topic at Visionary 2025. Business Development Analyst Starla Honea led both the “CBX: A Guided Tour of the Future of CU*BASE” breakout session and the CBX Demo Lab. Her hands-on demos drew enthusiastic crowds, with one credit-union executive calling the Demo Lab “the most impactful session of our entire Visionary experience.” Attendees appreciated learning how CBX’s browser-based interface can streamline daily workflows and position their credit unions for the next generation of core processing.
Jeana Harper and Todd Giles from CU*SOUTH’s Collections Service delivered practical, immediately actionable steps for reducing charge-offs and nurturing member relationships. Several attendees approached them afterward, saying they planned to implement new techniques and process-assessment recommendations right away.
In their session on disaster recovery, CU*SOUTH COO Derrick Smith and the IT Management team emphasized that hope isn’t a strategy, it’s preparation. Attendees learned how to build a business continuity plan covering technology, operations and communications so that members can access accounts no matter what storm—literal or figurative—may blow through. Many participants asked follow-up questions after the session, underscoring the urgency of being ready for any disruption.
In “2025 and Beyond: Challenges and Opportunities,” Michele Gonzales (Manager, Accounting Services), Shari Weber (Director, Accounting Services/CFO Consultant), and Jason Dean (CFO Consultant) shared essential forecasts and best practices around deposit growth, loan growth and 2026 industry projections. The trio answered questions with candor and invited attendees to join their inaugural quarterly Finance & Accounting Virtual Roundtable (contact us for more info on the roundtable). One attendee noted, “I really enjoyed this session because everyone was sharing new ideas and everyone was very engaged.”
The vibrant and bustling Exhibit Hall, sponsor-hosted sessions and the mix of hands-on demonstrations and thought-provoking discussions reinforced why Visionary’s sponsorship roster is both diverse and top-tier.
Networking & Special Events
Monday night’s Welcome Reception, sponsored by SavvyMoney, set the tone for the week. Outstanding networking, delicious hors d’oeuvres and opportunities for attendees and CU*SOUTH staff to connect in person made the evening pass by way too quickly. The CU*SOUTH booth buzzed with conversation as attendees scoped out new partnerships.
Tuesday’s Casino Night was a hit. The TransFund-sponsored event had attendees trading chips in friendly rounds of blackjack, roulette, craps and poker. No real money changed hands, but plenty of bragging rights and laughs did. But the evening was more than just games, it was an occasion where lasting relationships were forged over shared wins and playful rivalries.
Major Announcements & Looking Ahead
During the closing remarks, Derrick Smith revealed the location and dates for Visionary 2026: May 4–6, 2026, at Hotel Effie in Sandestin, Florida. The preview had people eagerly making plans to secure their registration, which is expected to open in Fall 2025 at visionaryconference.com.
Visionary 2025 wasn’t just a conference, it was a celebration of community, innovation and shared purpose. From record attendance to special moments of collaboration in breakouts, this year’s event reinforced that when credit unions come together, they solve challenges, seize new opportunities and keep pushing the credit union movement forward.
Mark your calendars now for Visionary 2026 (May 4–6, Hotel Effie, Sandestin, Florida), and keep an eye out for sponsorship opportunities. Until then, let’s take everything we learned and everything we experienced, and continue unleashing the power of our credit unions every day. See you next year!
