By Wes Horbatuck
The Mortgage Bankers Association’s Annual Convention and Expo recently wrapped up in Las Vegas with a sense of optimism not felt in years. Energy and engagement across sessions, lounges and partner events were at an all-time high, a sign that the mortgage community, including the many credit unions serving members nationwide, is reconnecting and refocusing on what’s ahead.
At Dark Matter, we’re especially grateful to all of our clients, and especially our credit union clients, who traveled to Las Vegas and stopped by to meet with our team. Your conversations and feedback made the event even more meaningful.
Collaboration and partnership
This year’s convention was about more than technology or market conditions — it was about people and partnerships. Across the floor, the tone was positive, forward-looking and grounded in collaboration. The credit union mission of member-first lending continues to guide innovation, and the industry feels ready to grow again when the market turns.
One clear theme throughout the event was that the relationship between lenders and technology partners is evolving in a healthy, more transparent direction. Credit unions and community lenders are no longer content with promises or one-size-fits-all solutions. They want partners who listen, adapt and deliver technology that aligns with their members’ needs.
Many conversations centered on open ecosystems and shared innovation. Technology providers are increasingly building on each other’s strengths rather than competing in silos. That’s good news for credit unions, which have long understood the value of partnership and cooperation. The ability to integrate member data, origination systems and servicing platforms in a seamless, secure way is no longer a nice-to-have; it’s an expectation.
The credit unions best positioned for the next market cycle will be those with the most connected tech stacks — where systems work together to improve efficiency, accuracy and the member experience.
Intelligent scaling for market agility
Two of the most-discussed topics at the convention were process orchestration and capacity management. These aren’t just operational terms, rather they represent the foundation of how credit unions can stay agile in fluctuating markets. Rather than focusing solely on automation or cost reduction, forward-looking institutions are using technology to scale capacity intelligently. The goal isn’t to replace people, but to empower them to ensure that lending teams can flex resources when volumes rise and operate efficiently when they slow.
For credit unions, that means being able to meet member demand quickly and effectively without compromising service quality. Scalable workflows, powered by automation and data, help ensure teams can handle growth responsibly and sustainably.
The message in Las Vegas was clear: The coming months are the time to prepare. When interest rates eventually ease and volume returns, institutions that have optimized their processes and capacity management will be ready to serve members without missing a beat.
Instead of reacting to shifts in the market, the most successful lenders are learning to anticipate them, using data, orchestration and flexible staffing models to stay ahead.
The rise of AI and data
Artificial intelligence (AI) remained a hot topic at this year’s conference, but the tone of the conversation has matured. The focus has shifted from hype to measurable value, and, I think, that’s a change credit unions can appreciate. Rather than talking about AI in broad, abstract terms, attendees wanted to see proof: how it improves speed, accuracy, compliance and member experience. Lenders want transparency, not just that AI works, but how it works.
Intelligent document processing and automated decisioning are becoming standard tools in underwriting and processing. But the real differentiator is how seamlessly these solutions integrate into the workflow, supporting teams without disrupting them.
In tandem, data-first workflows are changing how credit unions originate loans. More institutions are front-loading income, employment, and credit data early in the process. This not only reduces friction and cycle time but allows staff to focus on advising members rather than chasing documentation.
In short, underwriters are validating, not searching. That shift improves both efficiency and member satisfaction.
The broader takeaway: AI and automation aren’t about removing the human element: They’re about enabling staff to spend more time doing what credit unions do best — serving members.
Servicing is the new innovation horizon
While origination remains a focus area, there was a noticeable increase in conversations about servicing. Many credit unions and community lenders are exploring new approaches and partners to bring greater efficiency, transparency and member convenience to the servicing side of the equation. That conversation ties into a larger theme: end-to-end visibility. From application to servicing, credit unions want data and automation to flow seamlessly, reducing handoffs and errors. The days of disconnected systems are fading fast. Integration is no longer a differentiator; it’s an expectation.
Another challenge that drew significant attention was talent retention. When experienced loan officers, processors or underwriters leave, they take valuable institutional knowledge with them. Credit unions are looking to technology not just for efficiency, but to preserve expertise. By embedding knowledge into automated processes and smart workflows, institutions can maintain consistency and quality even as teams evolve.
Budgets remain tight across the industry, but that hasn’t slowed innovation. Instead, credit unions are making more strategic investments by prioritizing automation, data management, and orchestration tools that deliver measurable return on investment.
In this environment, success isn’t defined by having the most tools, but by having the right, connected tools. The credit unions leading the way are those that align their technology investments with their mission to serve members better, faster, and more consistently.
We’re excited about what’s ahead … and you should be too
Perhaps the most encouraging takeaway from this year’s convention was the return of OPTIMISM. The conversations weren’t just about surviving the current market, they were about preparing for what’s next. Lenders, partners and vendors seem aligned around a shared goal of building smarter, more connected systems that strengthen the member experience and create lasting operational resilience.
The mortgage and credit union communities have always been defined by collaboration and purpose. That spirit was alive and well in Las Vegas. The industry feels united — not just in weathering the current cycle, but in preparing for the rebound ahead.
At Dark Matter, we’re proud to play a role in that momentum. Our focus on process orchestration, data connectivity and open ecosystem partnerships reflects what we heard throughout MBA Annual. That there’s a collective drive to modernize responsibly, innovate collaboratively, and stay ready for growth.
As credit unions look to 2026 and beyond, technology and teamwork must move in lockstep. When people and platforms align around purpose, progress follows. The industry is ready — and (we all think!) the best is yet to come.
Wes Horbatuck is Senior Vice President of Marketing at Dark Matter Technologies. Wes leads marketing strategy focused on helping lenders and credit unions modernize through data-driven, connected technology that supports sustainable growth and exceptional member experiences.