Hello everyone,
As the days begin to grow longer and the signs of spring start appearing, it’s a great time to reflect on the momentum we’re building together across the credit union community. The first few months of 2026 have already been filled with meaningful conversations, collaboration, and opportunities to connect with many of you.
Industry Engagement and Relationship Building at GAC
One highlight was attending the Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC) in Washington, D.C. along with Gary Lee (CCO), Pete Major (VP Fintech & Digital Solutions), and Eric Gubka (Strategic Partnership Manager). It was a fantastic event and a great opportunity to spend time with many of our clients and their board members. We had the chance to talk about the projects you’re working on, the solutions you’re evaluating, and ways MDT can continue supporting your goals. Hearing directly from credit union leaders about the priorities and challenges you’re navigating is always valuable for our team.
We also enjoyed connecting with our partners at Jack Henry, including the credit union leadership team, sales teams, and executives. One of the highlights of the conference was sponsoring and co-hosting the Jack Henry Casino Night, which welcomed more than 300 attendees. It was a fun and informal way to spend time with clients, vendors, and partners while strengthening the relationships that make our ecosystem so collaborative. It was great to see so many of you there.
The exhibit hall also provided a great opportunity to connect with many of our vendor partners and explore the solutions being introduced across the industry. Throughout the conference we heard significant interest from credit unions in several areas where MDT is actively supporting clients including Project Management as a Service, merger assistance, improving core automation and utilization, and exploring the practical applications of artificial intelligence. I also had several conversations about our custom development solution and how it can help address gaps in member experience or support vendors looking to strengthen integrations.
Regulatory Conversations and the Future of Stablecoins
Another topic that generated a great deal of discussion was the potential impact of the GENIUS Act and how stablecoins may ultimately be regulated and utilized within the financial services ecosystem. Many credit union leaders shared that they had meetings scheduled with Senators and Congressional representatives or were participating in the “Hike the Hill” campaign to advocate for the credit union movement. It was encouraging to see so many organizations actively engaging in these important conversations.
Growth, Momentum & Opportunities to Connect
Back at MDT, we’re excited about the continued growth of our community. So far in 2026, two credit unions (Upstate Federal Credit Union and Cherokee Strip Credit Union) have successfully converted and are now live on the MDT platform. In addition, two more credit unions have recently signed to join MDT, and we’re looking forward to welcoming them in the months ahead.
We recently hosted the MDT CEO Forum, bringing together more than 25 credit union leaders for valuable discussion and collaboration. Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to the conversation.
Looking ahead, registration for the MDT E3 Conference is open. We’re planning another outstanding event with a strong lineup of sessions, speakers, educational opportunities, and networking events, including a group outing to a Detroit Tigers game. We hope many of you will be able to join us in Detroit.
Celebrating Excellence: MDT President’s Award
I’d also like to take a moment to recognize this year’s MDT President’s Award recipient is Norlene Lapuz (Senior Platform Advisor). This award is presented to individuals who consistently go above and beyond in their work, demonstrating exceptional dedication to MDT, our clients, and the credit union movement. It’s always inspiring to see the commitment and passion our team members bring to supporting our clients every day.
Your Partner in Success
As always, I encourage you to stay closely connected with your Client Success Managers. They are your guide through MDT and are there to help you navigate projects, identify the right resources, and escalate issues when needed. Their partnership plays a key role in helping your organization get the most value from the solutions and services we provide.
Spring is a season that reminds us of growth, renewal, and new possibilities. I’m grateful for the continued partnership we share and excited about the progress we’re making together in 2026.
Warm regards,
Chris Kowal
President & Chief Executive Officer
MDT