VeleraLIVE 2025 delivered on its promise of bringing together credit union leaders, innovators, and partners from across the globe to share in an experience that not only acknowledged the strength of legacy, but also celebrated the momentum of a new beginning. This year’s event, held at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center in Aurora, Colorado, marked the first full-scale annual conference of the recently combined PSCU/Co-op Solutions organization, now operating as Velera.
From the start, it was evident that this wasn’t just another gathering. The conference embodied Velera’s forward-looking energy and its mission to support credit unions with cutting-edge financial technology, collaborative insight, and inspired service. The Solutions Showcase was buzzing with conversation on Monday evening as Velera, its business partners, and integrated solutions providers shared the latest updates to the payments and credit union ecosystem with attendees. This was followed by an exceptional opening reception that spanned several of the Gaylord’s impressive dining and entertainment venues.
In an unexpected twist, nature seemed determined to test Velera’s mettle when a power outage on Tuesday delayed the event’s kickoff. However, staff and attendees alike leaned into the moment with flexibility and creativity, sparking valuable networking conversations and even a few laughs.
The opening General Session began Tuesday afternoon with nearly 2,000 attendees filling the seats. Dean Young, Executive Vice President and Chief Service Officer at Velera, welcomed everyone to the event, first jokingly calling the event Velera Unplugged, and then setting the stage for what was to come.
President and CEO Chuck Fagan then took the stage, outlining Velera’s ambitions in this new era. Fagan noted a powerful benchmark: Velera now supports more than 4,000 financial institutions and 126 million credit union members. He also noted that through the combined activity of all members, Velera is the fourth largest financial service firm in the U.S. by number of credit and debit accounts managed. Fagan emphasized that these numbers are more than just data points, stating they reflect Velera’s mission and vision, which is embodied by their recently adopted purpose statement: "We accelerate partners’ success through innovative financial technology solutions and inspired service."
Fagan’s remarks underscored Velera's values of inspired service, innovation, and advocacy. “Velera is technology-enabled and people-enhanced,” he said, pointing to their agile, cloud-based, API-enabled approach. He highlighted Lumin Digital’s 80 current credit union clients, Velera’s $3 billion in fraud prevention last year, and the company’s goal to be a seamless extension of each credit union’s brand.
Brian Caldarelli, Velera EVP and chief administrative officer, shared that progress on integration of the two legacy companies has been significant, stating: 50% of all Integration Management Office (IMO) projects are now complete, and the organization has consolidated nearly 20 integration teams to fewer than ten. Even more impressively, the patronage pool, which was originally expected to be unified over five years, is now expected to be combined in 2026.
In a keynote that followed, "AI Insights: Today’s Capabilities and Tomorrow’s Potential," futurist Steve Brown delivered thoughtful insights on how artificial intelligence will shape both consumer expectations and business operations. It was followed by the "PYMNTS Roadmap to 2030" panel discussion, moderated by Velera’s Chief Growth Officer Brian Scott, and featuring Karen Webster of PYMNTS.com and other industry leaders. Their discussion tackled the evolution of payments, consumer preferences, and what credit unions should be preparing for now to stay competitive.
The evening concluded with what could only be described as a celebration. "Mile High Beats and Brews" brought guests together outside for axe throwing, cornhole, lively music, and high-flying trampoline performances. The mix of entertainment and informal networking created the kind of evening that fosters both meaningful conversation and deeper camaraderie.
Wednesday morning’s programming opened strong with a Credit Union Executive Panel moderated by Mark Sievewright, founder and CEO of Sievewright & Associates, an SRM company. The panel tackled timely topics such as leadership, innovation, member experience, and how to navigate industry consolidation while staying rooted in the credit union mission.
Next came one of the most powerful keynotes of the conference. Erik Weihenmayer, a world-class adventurer and the first blind person to summit Mount Everest, took the stage to deliver "No Barriers." He reminded all of us that vision is not about sight, but about the clarity of one’s purpose and the will to achieve it. His message of perseverance, challenge, and purpose drew thunderous applause from the appreciative audience.
That inspiration carried into a major highlight of the event for this football fan, the joint keynote session "Winning Together," featuring NFL legends Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith. These Hall of Famers shared leadership lessons drawn from their time as teammates, touching on trust, preparation, and accountability. The crowd appreciated not just their stories, but their humility and camaraderie. I will say that I was disappointed that Mr. Aikman identified one of my favorite NFL players, Reggie White, as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, but did not mention his time with the Green Bay Packers. But I digress…
While some breakout sessions had to be moved to video delivery at a later date due to the power outage, VeleraLIVE still featured a variety of breakout sessions covering topics central to credit union growth, technology strategy, and consumer experience. Topics included: Aligning with Tomorrow's Consumer Needs, BNPL, Digital Banking and Onboarding Gaps, Seamless API Integration, Empowering Small Business, and the Human Impacts of Cybersecurity. Other sessions highlighted data strategy, collections, P2P solutions, and the importance of ATM and shared branching networks in supporting a connected member journey. Due to other commitments, I was unable to stay for what was surely an enjoyable closing night at the Fillmore Auditorium featuring a live performance by OneRepublic.
Throughout VeleraLIVE, the theme was clear: this is a new era, and the emergence of Velera is a launchpad for what’s next in credit union innovation and member service. Personally, it was a pleasure to reconnect with so many longtime colleagues, including Chuck Fagan, and meet new leaders within our industry as well. I am especially grateful for the continuation of the partnership that existed between CUInsight and the legacy organizations with Velera. CUInsight remains dedicated to elevating the conversations, connections, and innovations that drive credit unions forward. We look forward to continuing our work alongside Velera and all of our partners, as the industry embraces both the challenges and the opportunities ahead.
