January 8, 2026
Categories: Company & Community News
By Laurie Baker, President and CEO
In today’s rapidly evolving financial landscape, innovation is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity. Consumer expectations are being reshaped by technology, personalization, and the demand for seamless digital experiences. For financial institutions to remain relevant and maintain trust, we must continuously rethink and evolve our products and services. New product innovation isn’t just about keeping pace with change. It’s about leading it. That means anticipating needs, solving real problems, and delivering value in ways that are intuitive, secure, and forward-thinking.
At The Summit, we’re committed to delivering meaningful value by meeting our members where they are. In 2025, we introduced EarlyPay, a service that allows members to access their paychecks, tax returns, and Social Security payments up to one day before their scheduled deposit. The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Members appreciate that EarlyPay is completely free, requires no enrollment, and is available to anyone with direct deposit and a checking account. Whether someone is living paycheck to paycheck or simply wants to pay bills earlier and avoid late fees, EarlyPay offers the flexibility and control that makes a real difference.
Shortly after launching EarlyPay, we introduced CashBack+, a feature built directly into our online banking platform. With CashBack+, members can purchase digital gift cards from a wide selection of popular retailers and earn a percentage of cash back instantly. There’s no waiting and no extra steps, just a seamless way to turn everyday spending into real rewards. It’s a simple, rewarding experience that reflects our commitment to personalization, convenience, and offering digital tools that make managing finances easier.
These products were designed to meet real needs and to help members make the most of their money. Every new service we offer is the result of thoughtful planning and member-focused design. Our teams ask: Does this align with what our members value? Will it benefit the communities we serve? Does it have staying power and room to grow? Most importantly, we consider what our members will need not just today, but months and years from now.
Innovation at The Summit is always member-centered. We’re proud of the progress we made last year, and we’re even more excited about what’s ahead. Our teams are actively developing new products and services to launch in the months to come, including tools that will be faster, smarter, and even more tailored to our members’ financial goals.
If you’re curious about what it’s like to be a member, we invite you to explore our website and learn more. At The Summit, we’re elevating financial services to make everyday banking easier, more rewarding, and built around you.