Credit unions have a renewed focus on fostering member’s financial health and, increasingly, those efforts are digital and mobile-first, says Nicole Harper, director of corporate strategy at Jack Henry. In this episode of the podcast, sponsored by Jack Henry, Harper examines credit unions’ role in fostering financial health, financial wellness tren…

Brian Fassett, Advantis Credit Union’s director of learning and development joins today’s episode of the America’s Credit Union podcast to share how the $2 billion asset credit union in Portland, Ore., goes about finding and developing prospective leaders within the organization. Jon Sexton, senior vice president of Culture and Leadership Developme…

Join this panel discussion with Meredith Fuchs, General Counsel at Plaid, and Ben Maxim, Chief Digital Strategy and Information Officer at Michigan State University Federal Credit Union, highlighting initial takeaways from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s proposed rulemaking to establish open banking and implement section 1033 of the Dodd…

Credit unions deliver billions of dollars in financial benefits to both members and nonmembers—and now we can prove it. The Credit Union Impact Dashboard from America’s Credit Unions provides an easy, interactive way to demonstrate how credit unions outperform their peers. It updates in real time to tell the credit union story, measure their transf…

Find the first crop of stories from America’s Credit Unions’ 2024 Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC) on last week’s podcast, where credit union leaders discussed small credit unions, member service, fintech, advocacy, and more. We’re back at it this week with America’s Credit Unions’ Samira Salem, Northwest Community Credit Union’s Jose Garcia, …

Highlights from the 2024 Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC) Conversations with some of the more than 6,000 credit union leaders who attended the year's premier advocacy event.由America's Credit Unions

During March, people celebrate Women’s History Month, reflecting on the courage of women from past generations and celebrating how their efforts molded women into who they are today. In this episode, Melanie Kennedy, president/CEO at Southwest Financial Federal Credit Union in Farmers Branch, Texas, talks about Women’s History Month, women who have…

Following the formation of America’s Credit Unions, the American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL) has redefined its mission to focus on three pillars, according to Brad Miller, AACUL president, and Pat Conway, AACUL chair and president/CEO at the CrossState Credit Union Association. Those pillars are connecting with the new national trad…

The credit union movement is preparing for its annual trip to Washington, D.C. The 2024 Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC), scheduled for March 3-7, will look a bit different, however. What can attendees expect from the first GAC under the banner of America’s Credit Unions? A revamped, reenergized feel, according to America’s Credit Unions’ chie…

Community financial institutions are facing stiff competition. How can they outdo their competitors, navigate the changing financial environment, and bring in new deposits? America’s Credit Unions Digital Media Design Specialist Yeekeng Yang welcomed Kasasa CEO Gabe Krajicek on the podcast to answer these questions and more. They discuss challenges…

Filene Research Institute’s Racial Economic Equity Incubator seeks to address economic disparities and deliver resources, support, and capital to communities of color. Filene Senior Incubation Manager Horacio Garcia-Korosec stops by the podcast to describe the incubator, credit union participants, and the need to address economic disparities. This …

Fresh off its first-ever economic forecast, America’s Credit Unions’ economics team hopped on the podcast to set the stage for 2024. What do they expect this year? Will the U.S. face a recession? What’s happening in lending? How are credit unions’ balance sheets? Dawit Kebede, Curt Long, Ligia Vado, and Mike Schenk answer those questions and more, …

Financial well-being is a hallmark of how credit unions serve their members and communities. In this episode of the podcast, three credit union leaders explain the importance of financial education and how their credit unions improve members’ financial lives. Our financial well-being roundtable hands the microphone to: Chris Wolgamott, director of …

Credit unions are committed to serving the needs of their members. But what happens when those needs and expectations change? Evolving with those changes requires modern technology, according to Jack Henry™ President of Credit Union Solutions Shanon McLachlan, who joined the podcast to discuss how credit unions can reimagine the technology ecosyste…

In this episode of the CUNA News Podcast, associate editor Brock Fritz talks to Colleen Desselle and Rachel Bond about their innovative approaches to marketing and business development. While Desselle and Bond hold different roles, they have at least one thing in common: the Marketing & Business Development Council recognized both with top honors t…

Women are much more likely to hold the top spot at credit unions than they are at banks, according to “Women in Credit Union Leadership,” a report from CUNA. Two outstanding credit union CEOs join the CUNA News Podcast to talk about women’s leadership: Leigh Brady, CEO at $50 billion asset State Employees Credit Union in Raleigh, N.C. Linda White, …

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) released a report outlining roughly 50 recommendations for the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) System. One recommendation that’s particularly relevant concerns the types of collateral credit unions can pledge when they borrow from FHLBs, says FHLB Council President/CEO Ryan Donovan, who rejoins the CUNA News …

It’s hard to stay ahead of fraudsters. Credit unions can renew their security measures and fraud education, but fraudsters find a way. Envisant President/CEO Libby Calderone joined the CUNA News Podcast to share how the credit union service organization (CUSO) is helping credit unions through the fraud arms race. Calderone and CUNA Digital Media De…

Bryan Fox and Nate Rupe see a lot of similarities between their time in the U.S. military and credit unions. The former brigadier general and flight paramedic, respectively, join the CUNA News Podcast to discuss those similarities while sharing stories of their service and how credit unions assist veterans. Rupe, an eight-year Army veteran who is n…

What is the Federal Home Loan Bank System? What is the Federal Housing Finance Agency looking for in its review of the system? What will the agency suggest in its impending report? And how can credit union advocacy make a difference? Council of Federal Home Loan Banks President/CEO Ryan Donovan, CUNA’s former chief advocacy officer, rejoins the CUN…

What’s the key to successful business development? Forming relationships and “being your most authentic self,” says Bradley Dyer Jr., senior business development officer at $1.4 billion asset Credit Union of America in Wichita, Kan., and a 2023 Credit Union Rock Star. In this episode of the CUNA News Podcast, Dyer Jr. shares his approach to busines…

As public relations manager at $2 billion asset Texas Trust Credit Union in Arlington, Texas, Toni Nichols loves highlighting the work the credit union does on behalf of members through storytelling, social media, and creative campaigns that ingrain Texas Trust into people’s consciousness. Case in point: a credit union space within a 6,000-seat the…

Finding the right fintech partner can allow credit unions to maximize growth and fuel innovation, according to Ben Maxim, chief operating officer at Reseda Group, a credit union service organization formed by Michigan State University Federal Credit Union in East Lansing.由CUNA News Podcast

Anatoli Murha’s Ukrainian heritage plays a key role in his life. Murha is a member of the 11th class of Credit Union Rock Stars, a group of 25 innovative, creative credit union professionals who excel and make the movement a better place. Read Murha’s profile and about the other 2023 Credit Union Rock Stars at news.cuna.org/rockstar. In this episod…

Everyone knows that technology is advancing at a rapid pace. But how can credit unions use this technology and analyze data in a way that improves the member experience and allows them to compete with fintechs? Hear Maxim and CUNA Digital Media Design Specialist Yeekeng Yang discuss why consumers desire personalized financial solutions, how technol…

Matt McCombs has no problem experimenting. The evidence is clear to those walking through the doors of Vibrant Coffeehouse and Kitchen in Moline, Ill. The coffee shop, which opened in late 2022, sits next to the headquarters of $1 billion asset Vibrant Credit Union, where McCombs serves as president/CEO. It roasts its own coffee and offers breakfas…

There are countless ways to connect with consumers in 2023. There are also countless competitors seeking to make those connections. Co-op Solutions President/CEO Todd Clark joins the CUNA News Podcast to discuss how credit unions can navigate the fintech-heavy landscape by engaging members every day. Clark and CUNA Digital Media Design Specialist Y…

Pending legislation, the Credit Card Competition Act of 2023, would not only reduce credit unions’ interchange income, it would threaten consumer data security, privacy, and access to credit. The bill could also harm credit unions’ ability to give back to their communities. Sharing their insights are Jason Stverak, CUNA’s deputy chief advocacy offi…

After helping a formerly incarcerated individual raise his credit score, Marine Credit Union’s Zach Hancock “wanted to find a way to help.” He joins this episode of the CUNA News Podcast to share how he made it happen by teaching a financial empowerment course at the La Crosse County Jail in Wisconsin.…

While they’ve achieved the top leadership spot at their organization, CEOs know they must still take advantage of every opportunity to learn. Three credit union CEOs—all with varying lengths of time in the top spot—joined the CUNA News Podcast to discuss their career journeys and what they’ve learned along the way. Joining the podcast are: Doug Fag…

New voices continue to shape conversations and strategy within the CUNA-League system as several new league presidents have assumed leadership roles within the past several months. Mara Humphrey, president/CEO at the Minnesota Credit Union Network. Tim Sullivan, president at the Alaska Credit Union League. Melia Heimbuck, president/CEO at Credit Un…

When Martin Carter launched the EmpowerMe! financial wellness program at Astera Credit Union, he wanted to improve members’ financial lives. He was also well aware that the program’s participants would qualify for more of the credit union’s products and services. In this episode of the CUNA News Podcast, Carter describes why financial well-being is…

As technology continues to drive both innovation and operational efficiency, it’s vital that the best solutions not only improve workflow but also empower as many end users as possible. In this episode of the CUNA News Podcast, Andie Dovgan, chief growth officer at Creatio, describes how the company’s no-code platform automates workflows and improv…

Jessica Sharon believes credit unions deserve a bigger stage. “We don’t toot our own horn enough,” says the assistant vice president of financial outreach at $677 million asset Pelican State Credit Union in Baton Rouge, La. Pelican State shares its good news on “Opportunity Knock$,” a PBS reality show that follows six families as they work with fin…

The African American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC) will hold its 25th Anniversary Annual Conference July 16- July 20 at the Atlanta Evergreen Resort. The theme of the silver anniversary event is legacy, which reflects the unique path the organization and its partners have curated over the past quarter century. This episode of the CUNA News Podcast…

As traditional phishing attacks become less effective due to organizations’ stronger internal controls, cybercriminals are turning to targeted business email compromise attacks. For these criminals, it’s all about securing credentials, according to John Moeller and Randy Romes, both cybersecurity principals at CliftonLarsonAllen. In this episode of…

New York University Federal Credit Union CEO Mira Ness takes a hands-on approach to service.由CUNA News Podcast

What’s happening in credit union lending? What do CUNA’s economists forecast for the rest of 2023? How could economic uncertainty and a potential recession change the lending outlook? As we near the midway point of 2023, CUNA Chief Economist/Deputy Chief Advocacy Officer Mike Schenk shares what he's seeing on this episode of the CUNA News Podcast.…

Be kind, compassionate, and empathetic. It sounds simple enough, but Andy Reed says a societal effort to be good human beings would go a long way to improve life for minorities. Reed, president/CEO at $482 million asset Security First Credit Union in Edinburg, Texas, joins associate editor Brock Fritz on this episode of the CUNA News Podcast. He di…

The economy and pressures on liquidity and noninterest income dominated discussions at the 2023 CUNA Finance Council Conference in Anaheim, Calif. This episode of the CUNA News Podcast features conversations from that event. It features: Christine Messer, chief finance officer (CFO) and senior vice president at $729 million asset Heritage Family Cr…

Before long, remote work won’t exist. It will simply be “work.” “Virtual-first work,” as remote work expert Laurel Ferrar calls it, will become so normalized that it won’t even require discussion. This episode of the CUNA News Podcast features Ferrar, who’s head of TeamOps at GitLab and has worked remotely for 17 years. She explains how virtual-fir…

The founders of National JACL Credit Union, members of the Japanese American Citizens League, felt compelled to help members of their community who were moved to internment camps in 1942 following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Eighty years later, the $39 million asset credit union in Salt Lake City continues to serve. National JACL Credit Union Pres…

The CUNA HR & Organizational Development Council Conference is a unique event. It offers an opportunity for human resource and organizational development professionals to gather in person and focus on topics specific to their roles in the credit union industry. In this series of interviews, we share some of the many voices that contributed to the 2…

Venmo. PayPal. Zelle. Instant peer-to-peer payments have played a large role in the rapidly changing payment landscape. How can credit unions adapt to the current structure and benefit from modernized payment platforms? PCBB Senior Vice President of Operations Allen Sztukowski answered that question and more on this episode of the CUNA News Podcast…

Consumers’ financial health declined in 2022 for the first time in the five years the Financial Health Network began tracking this measure—making credit unions’ efforts to improve members’ financial well-being especially important. This episode of the CUNA News Podcast explores how credit unions aim to change that, from credit counseling and financ…

We continue our conversations from the 2023 CUNA Marketing & Business Development Council Conference by examining the power of creativity, digital marketing, podcasting, and fintech partnerships with Meow Wolf co-founder Vince Kadlubek, Janelle Herrera, vice president of marketing and business development at On Tap Credit Union in Golden, Colo., Ti…

Thought leaders from across the credit union movement descended on Orlando last month for the 2023 CUNA Marketing & Business Development Council Conference. They had plenty to say, and CUNA News staff was there for it all. This episode of the CUNA News Podcast brings those conversations right to listeners, as the credit union professionals detail t…

What is consumer-permissioned data (CPD)? And how can credit unions leverage it to bring more automation into their lending operations? MeasureOne Chief Revenue Officer Yaron Oren stopped by the CUNA News Podcast to answer these questions and more. He explains how MeasureOne, founded in 2015 to focus on student lending, enables automated verificati…

The Eugene H. Farley League Leadership Award is presented annually by the American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL) honoring a League president and League executive who demonstrate visionary leadership at the state and national levels. The 2023 recipients of the Farley Award are Paul Mercer, president/CEO of the Ohio Credit Union League,…

Credit unions across the U.S. are navigating technological advancements, generational shifts, and an influx of financial options. To Withclutch CEO and co-founder Nicky Hinrichsen, this means providing advanced digital experiences that enable credit unions to better serve their members. Hinrichsen sat down with CUNA Digital Media Design Specialist …