Credit union CEOs face a succession clock.
Executive pay rose about 4% in the past year, while roughly one-third of credit union chief executives are expected to retire within five years, according to a new industry compensation survey.
Credit unions are raising executive pay and expanding leadership development as they prepare for a wave of retirements, according to a new survey from CUES, a credit union leadership organization.
The 2026 CUES Compensation Survey, which drew participation from more than 300 credit unions, found that executive compensation increased approximately 4% year over year. At the same time, about one-third of credit union CEOs are expected to retire within the next five years, putting succession planning and the development of future leaders in sharper focus.
The findings suggest that credit unions are competing for talent while preparing for a changing leadership landscape. Internal promotion remains a common route to executive positions, the survey found, making the development of employees who can eventually move into senior roles an important part of workforce planning.
“Credit unions are taking a broader view of compensation as part of their overall talent strategy,” said Sharon Messmore, CUES products and services manager. “The survey findings show organizations balancing competitive pay with investments in leadership development, succession planning, and specialized roles that support future growth.”
Compensation trends also reflect changes in the skills credit unions need. Chief People Officer pay showed some of the strongest growth among executive positions, while more institutions are adding Chief Member Experience Officer roles. Digital banking and cybersecurity positions are also gaining prominence as credit unions respond to members’ expectations and growing technology demands.
Variable pay is playing a larger role in executive compensation, particularly at larger credit unions. Asset size remains the strongest factor influencing compensation levels, according to the survey, reinforcing the importance of comparing pay with that of institutions of similar size and characteristics.
The survey covers executive salaries, incentives, bonuses and benefits, along with board compensation benchmarks and annual salary trends. Credit unions can compare compensation practices by asset size, region and peer group.
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Workforce pressures extend beyond executive recruitment. Economic uncertainty, competition for employees, retention and rising health care and benefits costs remain major concerns for credit unions, the survey found. Institutions are also investing in employee development, with tuition reimbursement programs becoming more common.
CUES expanded this year’s reporting through a partnership with The Sheeter Group, a CUES supplier member specializing in executive benefits plans for credit unions. The partnership produced a new CEO Benchmark Report, available exclusively to participants in the 2026 survey.
The report offers personalized comparisons across both the credit union industry and the broader financial services sector, said Liz Santos, chief consulting officer at The Sheeter Group.
“CUES has built a database that turns those numbers into real, actionable insight,” Santos said. “I’m proud to have been part of it.”
The survey results are available to CUES Unlimited+ members and through a subscription for other users. CUES has worked for more than 60 years to support credit union leadership and professional development.
“Credit unions are taking a broader view of compensation as part of their overall talent strategy.”
Sharon Messmore
Products and Services Manager
CUES
Ken McCarthy is manager of marketing communications at Tyfone, where he monitors the credit union industry and contributes to conversations shaping its future. He previously covered credit unions and community banking for American Banker and S&P Global Market Intelligence. He holds a journalism degree from Point Park University and has more than 15 years of experience covering financial services. He is also the author of three literary fiction novels.
