‘Twas the Night Before New Years’, twenty-twenty-six,
And many new trends had been thrown in the mix;
New leaders in D.C. took hold of the reins,
And with all the changes brought fresh growing pains.
The new leadership that took charge of the nation
Offered a climate of less regulation.
But at the same time, tariffs were introduced,
And the numbers that backed them were – well, fast and loose.
That shook the markets, and led to a drop
As many feared price pressures might never stop.
But things soon recovered, the outlook would brighten,
And the FOMC never once had to tighten.
Inflation cooled off, though not fully contained;
The markets calmed down, rationality reigned.
AI, a key driver, was all over the news –
Just how many ways could this tech tool be used?
Throughout credit unions, it was clear to see
AI presented opportunity;
But it also posed risks, and required great care
To ensure that its use wouldn’t lead us to err.
Another new trend out of crypto emerged:
“Consider stablecoins!” some vendors urged.
So to our agendas we added that topic,
Hoping our focus would not be myopic.
For while it’s intriguing, great questions remain
As payment providers navigate new terrain.
Liquidity? Custody? Regulation?
All must be part of the conversation.
Then, as the year wore on, fresh signs of trouble:
Were we in the throes of a new AI bubble?
The market dipped lower again on that fear
Casting doubt on a Santa Claus rally this year.
But inflation moved lower, and jobs appeared stable
So the Fed lowered rates – are more cuts on the table?
We may have to wait, as there’s change in the air;
In May, the Fed will usher in a new Chair.
Then lo and behold, as the year’s end drew near
The market discovered new holiday cheer;
AI had survived rumors of a rotation,
Leading to an end-of-year celebration.
Against this backdrop, we look to twenty-six
With both hope and anxiety (a common mix).
But through all of the change, one pattern holds true:
Those chasing the signal – not noise – fare best through.
Then here’s to the New Year, with eyes forward-cast,
Not anchored to headlines or trends of the past;
We’re ready to partner, to listen, advise,
And help credit unions view risk through clear eyes.
As we boldly move forward to answer the call,
To our clients we say Happy New Year to all!