Discover takeaways from Jack Henry Connect 2025 in San Diego. Explore how conversations around AI, payments, and digital banking connect with omnichannel marketing strategies for credit unions and banks.
Our First Time at Jack Henry Connect
Last week, we attended Jack Henry Connect 2025 in San Diego, our first time joining this leading conference in the financial services industry. The atmosphere was vibrant, with thousands of professionals from across the ecosystem gathering to exchange ideas, explore new technologies, and connect around the future of financial services.
For us, the most valuable part was the conversations. The key topics at the event, from AI to payments to digital transformation, sparked discussions at our booth and across the exhibit hall. Our booth became a meeting point where industry conversations turned into practical exchanges about digital engagement, omnichannel strategies, and opportunities for credit unions and community banks. These interactions reminded us how innovation gains meaning when shared and applied.
Conversations That Shaped the Event
Generative AI With a Human Focus
AI was one of the recurring key topics during Connect 2025. Beyond the hype, many conversations focused on applying AI responsibly while keeping people at the center. For marketers, this means using AI not to replace human connection but to scale personalization, anticipate member needs, and create campaigns that feel authentic across every channel.
Payments Innovation and SMB Opportunities
Payments also had a strong presence in the conversations. Discussions touched on how digital payments are evolving and how credit unions and community banks can better support small and mid-sized businesses. For these institutions, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Marketing teams can play a key role in building trust, educating members, and showing businesses how local institutions can be reliable partners in a changing payments landscape.
Digital Experience and Omnichannel Engagement
Another common thread in the conversations was the push to make digital banking feel more human. Multilingual chat features, tailored notifications, and personalized journeys all point to rising expectations for relevance across touchpoints. An omnichannel approach ensures that institutions can deliver consistent, connected experiences across email, mobile, online banking, and branches.
Innovation at Credit Unions and Banks
We also heard many inspiring stories of creativity from different financial institutions, proving that innovation does not depend on size. From award-winning projects to practical demonstrations, the message was clear. Transformation often begins locally, and platforms like Prisma Campaigns exist to help scale these initiatives, giving institutions the tools to turn ideas into meaningful action.
Networking, Conversations, and Shared Experiences
Networking was at the heart of Connect 2025. The exhibit hall was filled with moments that went beyond product demos, sparking conversations about real challenges like automation, personalization, and how to do more with fewer resources. Among the many activities, one that stood out for its creativity was a collaborative puzzle that grew piece by piece during the event. We were glad to contribute and see it come together as more participants joined in. For us, it symbolized how every institution, solution, and conversation contributes to the bigger picture of our industry. Just like a puzzle, building stronger connections with members requires every piece working together, and Connect was a reminder of that collective effort.
Quick Wins for Financial Institutions
From our first experience at Jack Henry Connect, here are some practical takeaways you can put into action:
- Translate innovation into action. Don’t just talk about AI or payments. Design campaigns that show members tangible benefits.
- Deliver consistency. Use every channel, from email and mobile to online banking and branches, to tell a unified story that builds trust.
- Keep it human. People value authenticity. Even the most advanced technology should make their experience feel more personal.
- Learn from peers. Share challenges, explore new ideas, and look for partnerships. Collaboration accelerates results.
Looking Ahead
Jack Henry Connect 2025 confirmed something we strongly believe. Credit unions and banks have a unique advantage: the ability to combine trust with innovation. With the right tools and an omnichannel approach, they can deliver the right message, at the right time, through the right channel.
We left San Diego energized by the innovations we saw and the conversations we shared. These insights are already shaping how we think about the future of digital engagement. We are excited to continue these discussions with our partners and to return to Connect next year with even more stories to tell.
Image credit: Prisma Campaigns' Team.