Insights from Catalyst

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month (CAM), a timely reminder of the ever-present online security threats. Fortunately, as cybersecurity tactics continue to evolve, emerging technology, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), present new methods of effectively combatting them.

Halloween brings incantations of ghastly displays and haunting celebrations; similarly, financial markets seem to be concocting a brew of transformation. The recent slashes to interest rates have brought significant changes for credit unions, especially with regard to their assets and liabilities.

Recently, Catalyst hosted an interactive webcast titled “FedNow® Service Essentials: Use Cases and Industry Adoption,” with subject matter experts from credit union service organization (CUSO) Origence®. Catalyst’s Justin Lutes moderated the discussion where panelists detailed current use cases of the FedNow Service, with a key emphasis on indirect lending within the auto landscape, specifically with new electric vehicle sales.

Mortgage-backed securities (MBS) often offer higher yields compared to other investment types, making them an attractive investment for credit unions seeking to enhance their income. However, the benefits of MBS come with associated risks that must be carefully managed.

In keeping with our current blog series, we will discuss use cases and information to help you further develop your credit union’s faster payments strategy. By the end of this blog, you should also have a deeper understanding of market activity and trends.