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As 2025 approaches, President and CEO Brandie Thacker’s vision is to guide EPCOR through the rapidly changing payments ecosystem while strengthening the association’s role as a vital resource for members. Having stepped into her position in 2024, Brandie draws on a fresh perspective and a wealth of experience. In a recent conversation, she shared her insights, goals and strategic priorities for EPCOR's future for 2025. A Shift in Perspective One of the most significant moments for Brandie since becoming CEO has been adjusting her focus from the nitty-gritty details to a broader, strategic view of the organization. “It’s been an interesting and energizing experience,” she says, reflecting on adjusting to the broader scope of her new role.

Strategic Goals for 2025

Looking ahead, Brandie’s strategy for EPCOR in 2025 centers on broadening the organization’s offerings to meet the evolving needs of its members. “Our primary goal is to be a strong and effective partner for our members in the payments space,” she says. To do that, EPCOR plans to expand beyond its traditional wire, check and ACH services, diving deeper into emerging areas like treasury management, instant payments, BSA/OFAC/AML compliance and debit cards.

“We want to help our members at every stage of their payments journey,” Thacker explains. This includes facilitating greater collaboration between EPCOR members and industry stakeholders to address shared challenges and opportunities. “We’re also investing in our infrastructure to better serve our members,” she adds, noting that EPCOR will implement a new database, event technology and an updated online store.

Education Bundles: A Key 2025 Offering

One of the first major changes members will see in 2025 is the introduction of EPCOR’s Education Bundles. This new offering aims to simplify the education process by providing a comprehensive, easy-to-access package of resources.

“With these new bundles, members will be able to access everything they need to get up to speed on a specific topic in one place,” Thacker explains. For example, the Instant Payments Bundle includes ten live webinars, nine on-demand training courses and an EFT Dispute Resource Package—all designed to help members navigate the world of instant payments. “Rather than spending time searching through a library of trainings or getting multiple approvals, members can now get everything they need with just one click,” Thacker says. This streamlined approach is designed to save time, enhance learning and empower members to adopt the latest payments innovations with ease.

Shaping the Future of Payments

Brandie emphasizes that EPCOR's role in shaping the future of payments goes beyond offering educational resources and tools. “It’s crucial for us to stay ahead of emerging trends,” she states. “Instant payments, data security and the evolving role of technology in financial services are all areas we need to focus on.”

In 2025, EPCOR will continue to engage with the broader industry, attending conferences and events to stay at the forefront of these developments. Brandie also plans to visit members across EPCOR’s footprint to gather firsthand feedback. “Understanding what our members are experiencing on the ground will help us refine our offerings and ensure we’re addressing their most pressing challenges,” she says.

Brandie expresses deep gratitude for the team behind EPCOR’s success, acknowledging the dedication and expertise that each team member brings. “Our team’s commitment and knowledge are the foundation of everything we do,” she says. “My role is to support and empower them, allowing their strengths to drive our mission forward as we navigate the complexities of the payments landscape.” 

This recognition highlights the importance of collaboration at EPCOR, where every individual’s contribution plays a pivotal role in helping the association meet the evolving needs of its members.

The Road Ahead

As EPCOR moves into 2025, Brandie’s vision is clear: to be a trusted partner for its members as they navigate the complexities of the payments landscape. By expanding its offerings, embracing new technologies and fostering collaboration, EPCOR aims to position its members for success in a rapidly changing world.

“We’re committed to being there every step of the way for our members,” Thacker concludes. “Together, we’ll navigate the future of payments and unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation.” With this forward-thinking approach, EPCOR is poised to lead the way in 2025 and beyond, empowering its members to stay ahead of the curve in an increasingly dynamic payments ecosystem.