Credit unions need a sustainable approach to growing deposits. One component of that is the use of high-yield accounts, says Alisha Crafton, chief growth officer at Kasasa. In this episode, sponsored by Kasasa, Crafton examines the company’s use of data and analytics, industry trends, the concept of “phantom growth,” deposit growth strategies, and …

Housing finance and affordable housing take center stage on this week’s episode, sponsored by the Council of Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLB). Ryan Donovan, president/CEO at the council, updates listeners on a recent report from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and discusses how FHLBs support mortgage financing, the council’s Affordable Hous…

Join Michael Bell from Honigman LLP for an exciting discussion about growth planning. Mr. Bell provides a glimpse of his practice helping credit unions navigate the world of mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Bell shares his expertise regarding strategic planning and growth, key considerations for the merger process, and perspectives on field of members…

Succession planning is about strategic oversight and ensuring your organization is relevant and future-focused. In this episode of the podcast, Susan Mitchell, CEO of Mitchell Stankovic and Associates, talks about the importance of having an organization-wide succession plan, why taking a forward-focused approach is critical, how succession plannin…

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…

Nikol Sekol, Member Service Representative at Heritage Family Credit Union's Bennington location in Vermont, chats with AVCU President Joe Bergeron about her first experience at the annual Governmental Affairs Conference in Washington, DC as the official Crash Program participant from the Green Mountain state.…

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…

Vermont ViewPoint host Pat MacDonald interviews Association of Vermont CUs President Joe Bergeron in her one-hour public affairs program. In it Bergeron shares the difference between banks and CUs, the contribution of CUs to the Vermont economy and its residents and legislative activity. Vermont ViewPoint is the public affairs program of WDEV radio…

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.By 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…

Gregg Rosen, President of the NES Group, joins the Insider Forum to discuss how NES works with financial institutions on their building and branding. Rosen prides himself and the NES Group on listening to credit unions' pain points and guiding them towards successful strategic plans. Through these processes, NES Group is committed to thinking diffe…

John Deering of Capstone Strategic joins the Insider Forum to discuss their focus on helping credit unions with strategic planning and external growth initiatives. Capstone specializes in growth and planning areas, such as mergers, partnerships, and fintech collaborations. Dearing emphasizes the importance of having a structured approach and highli…

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, …

Kathy Orovitz of Navigant Credit Union, joins the Insider Forum to reflect on her one-year anniversary of being CEO. Orvitz discusses her journey from an 18 year old teller to CEO, and emphasizes the balance between planned transformations and adapting to economic challenges. The conversation touches on Orvitz's experience as a female CEO, communit…

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 …

Twenty-one year veteran AVCU team member John Cote reviews his lengthy tenure as he approaches the conclusion of his services at the end 2023. Highlights, challenges, most memorable events and even his likes and dislikes are covered by John in conversation with podcast host Joe Bergeron.By Podcasts by the Association of Vermont Credit Unions

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…

Vanessa Kuduk, VP of Lending at Members Credit Union, joins the Insider Forum to discuss her immigrant journey and Members Credit Union’s mission to serve Hispanic and immigrant populations in Connecticut. Kuduk highlights the commitment to breaking barriers, ensuring financial access, and celebrates MCU purchasing its first building after 85 years…

James Higgins, President and CEO of Skyline Financial Credit Union in Connecticut, joins the Insider Forum to highlight Skyline Financial Federal Credit Union’s focus on grassroots community outreach, innovation, as well as a deep commitment to inclusivity. Higgins also notes the credit union’s recent infrastructure upgrades, education series launc…

Gautman Ajjarapu, Co-founder and CEO of Glide, and Kyle Stutzman, Co-founder and CEO of Janusea, join the Insider forum to discusses their new collaboration. Glide focuses on creating a frictionless account opening platform for credit unions, aiming to streamline the process and attract younger members. Janusea complements Glide by simplifying inte…

Bryce Jackson, MemberClose COO, joins the Insider Forum after launching the new Mortgage Academy educational program at APEX 2023. Jackson highlights the comprehensive 8-module curriculum that aims to enhance expertise in real estate lending, covering topics such as consumer rights, credit reports, and debt-to-income ratios. Hear how the Mortgage A…

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…

Money moving instantly fromone accountholder to another is at the bottom of the Federal Reserve's new FedNow service. Steve Roy, president of Tricorp Federal Credit Union, discusses the basics of FedNow, what credit unions need to know, and how they can simplify their involvement by access through Tricorp.…

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.By CUNA News Podcast

Joe Bergeron, President of the Association of Vermont Credit Unions, reviews a 45 year career in service to Vermont credit unions. Hosted by Association staff members John Cote, Michelle Fullerton and Christine Davidson.By Podcasts by the Association of Vermont Credit Unions

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…

AVCU's advocacy experts chat about what followed the 2023 Vermont legislative session and what to expect in the 2024 session. They touch on political issues, impact of summer 2023 flooding, and even one federal political issue that could crop up in the Vermont statehouse. Listen to Adam Necrason and Jessica Oski in discussion with Joe Bergeron.…

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…