What We Learned at Apiture Accelerate 2025
By Albert Kang, Chief Revenue Officer at InvestiFi
Apiture Accelerate 2025 brought together the brightest minds in banking, fintech, and technology innovation to explore how the industry is evolving to meet the needs of a digital-first world. The event wasn’t just packed with ideas—it was a clear glimpse into the trends shaping the future of financial services.
Through engaging panels, thought-provoking sessions, and conversations with community financial institutions, we came away with fresh perspectives on the challenges and opportunities ahead. Here are three of the most impactful lessons we learned:
1. Wealth-Building: The New Core of Financial Services
Consumers are shifting their focus from simply managing money to actively building wealth. Financial institutions are recognizing this shift and moving to embed tools for investing, long-term planning, and goal setting directly into their digital banking ecosystems. Increasingly, wealth-building features aren’t being treated as “extras”—they’re emerging as fundamental to the financial wellness experience. This evolution signals that institutions are thinking beyond transactions and balances, putting a stronger emphasis on empowering account holders to grow their financial futures.
2. Millennials and Gen Z Are Setting the Standard
The influence of younger generations is impossible to ignore. Millennials and Gen Z aren’t just asking for more innovative digital experiences; they’re actively shaping the future of banking. These groups expect capabilities like investing and wealth-building to be embedded seamlessly into their financial services and integrated into their everyday digital experiences. For banks and credit unions prioritizing relevance, meeting these expectations isn’t optional—it’s fast becoming the price of admission in the modern banking landscape.
3. Rethinking Financial Wellness: Investing for All
A recurring theme throughout the event was how financial institutions are redefining financial wellness. The traditional perception of investing as a service exclusive to high-net-worth individuals or external third-party platforms is fading. Institutions are expanding their vision, increasingly seeing investing as an essential part of overall financial wellness—accessible to everyone, regardless of demographic or income level. This shift reflects a broader movement toward democratized tools that empower all account holders to achieve long-term financial success.
4. The Road Ahead: Shaping the Future of Banking
As we reflect on the insights from the event, one thing is abundantly clear: digital investing is more than just a technological shift—it’s a cultural revolution. Financial institutions have a rare opportunity to lead this transformative era, fostering a future built on inclusivity and sustainable growth.
Events like Apiture Accelerate 2025 serve as powerful reminders of the impact bold ideas and collaboration can have on the industry. The conversations sparked here will undoubtedly shape the next wave of innovation in digital banking, ensuring institutions remain focused on delivering meaningful value to account holders.
For those ready to take the next step, understanding digital investing behaviors will be key. InvestiFi’s recent research provides actionable insights into how financial institutions can re-engage investors, drive deposits, and unlock new avenues for growth. The future of banking is being written now—make sure your institution is part of the story.
About the Author:
Albert joined InvestiFi as a seasoned veteran with more than 10 years in the credit union space. Previously, he served as Vice President of Deposits and Business Relations at CapEd Credit Union where he was responsible for the strategic planning of the deposits portfolio and applicable revenue streams. During nearly a decade at CapEd, he oversaw Treasury Management, Consumer Deposits Operations, Quality Assurance and Wealth Management. He also served as a member of CapEd Credit Union’s Asset and Liability Management Committee, responsible for effective balance sheet management to mitigate risks, optimize profitability and achieve strategic objectives for the credit union. Prior to CapEd, he was AVP, Treasury Management for Zions Bank where he optimized revenue generation within assigned portfolios.
Recognized as an Idaho Business Review’s “Accomplished 40 Under 40″ and “Excellence in Finance.” He also holds the designation of Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor (CCUFC) from Americas Credit Unions. Albert is dedicated to leverage his expertise to foster economic empowerment and advance financial wellness in our communities.
