Discover the CCUA's Webinar Wednesday series, designed to bring educational insights, innovative solutions, and member-focused services directly to you. Held on Wednesdays of each month, this series features timely topics and expert perspectives to keep credit unions ahead in a dynamic industry.
From Uncertainly to Action: Economic Outlook, Industry Trends, and Strategic Moves for Credit Union Leaders
2026 was supposed to be a year of rate cuts from the Fed. Instead, the focus has recently shifted to rate hikes with the first 25bps coming on Sep 16th. Credit union balance sheets built for one direction may not be positioned well for the other. This session will help executives understand what's driving the shift, what it means for their institutions, and how to respond with confidence.
We'll start with an economic update on the forces behind the changing rate outlook, including inflation, labor market conditions, and Fed policy expectations. From there, we'll highlight the industry trends that matter most right now, from deposit competition and funding costs to loan demand and liquidity.
Finally, we'll make the case for a strategic mindset shift: focusing on margin, not just yield. In a volatile environment, the highest-yielding option isn't always the best one. We'll explore how to evaluate investment, lending, and funding decisions through their impact on net interest margin, earnings stability, risk, and share practical strategies credit unions can put to work today.
Attendees will learn:
- What's behind the move from rate cuts to potential hikes, and how it could unfold
- Which industry trends are reshaping credit union performance
- Why margin-focused decision-making outperforms yield-chasing in volatile markets
- Actionable strategies to strengthen earnings and balance sheet resilience
Andy Okolski, Managing Director, Credit Union and Municipality Strategies at The Baker Group
Andrew Okolski is Managing Director and Director of Credit Union and Municipality Strategies at The Baker Group. He works with clients on ALM, portfolio management, interest rate risk, strategic planning, and regulatory issues. Previously, he spent 15 years managing a financial strategies group at a New York broker/dealer focused on credit unions.
CCUA Webinar Wednesday virtual events are exclusive to member credit unions. Partners interested in engaging with our credit union community can explore sponsorship opportunities by emailing solutions@ccua.org.