Members-Only Event
Thursday, October 22, 2026
11:00 a.m. Central Time
Presenter: Shreenath Regunathan, CEO, Startlight
60% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, and that number is rising. This isn't a fringe phenomenon; it's the new economic reality of your membership. Yet most credit unions are still building products, programs, and lending criteria designed for a disappearing middle class that looks increasingly different than it did a decade ago. Millions of Americans qualify for financial assistance they need but will never receive. SNAP, Medicaid, childcare assistance, utility relief, the programs exist, but the barriers are high. People don't know what's available, applications are byzantine, and eligibility rules change by state.
In this session, Shreenath Regunathan, founder of Starlight, a fintech embedded in credit unions across the country, breaks down the forces reshaping American household finances: income volatility, the rise of gig work, $100+ billion in unclaimed government benefits, and the growing gap between what members need and what most financial institutions offer. He'll draw lessons from industries that have already adapted, telecom, grocery, fintech, and show what it looks like when credit unions do the same. Attendees will leave with a clear-eyed view of where the opportunity lies, and a framework for meeting members where they actually are.
Key Takeaways:
- A data-driven picture of how American household finances have shifted, and what that means for credit union lending, deposits, and member loyalty, including why 83% of households needed some form of financial assistance in the last five years.
- How other industries have profitably adapted to serving lower and moderate-income customers, and the concrete product and strategic moves credit unions can take to do the same.
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