Credit Union Conversations

What has changed since MBFS started working with Weidenhammer? Basically everything. Jody and Mark make sense of the coming AI revolution and what we should be worried about these days with security. IN THIS EPISODE: [2:00] Jody shares his background and professional career path [6:06] Jody explains how Weidenhammer is different than other tech firms and the evolution of AI [11:46] Discussion of t...

Mark and Bob talk about the evolution of credit unions' relationship with auto dealers and indirect financing, what the pandemic was like, and what it is like to finance vehicles these days. IN THIS EPISODE: [0:51] Mark describes why he needed to purchase his first pickup truck [2:24] Bob shares his professional background  [4:08] Discussion about liquidity and interest rates [8:13] Bob discu...

Nolan Bradbury joins Mark today to talk about the relationship between lender, accountant, and member. Also, what is the best way to manage debt load? What does the conversation look like between accountant and business owner when they talk about lenders? Nolan and Mark look under the covers to talk about what lenders should know. IN THIS EPISODE: [1:52] Nolan shares his professional journey and h...

What's the value? Noelle McDonald can help. The commercial real estate market is upside down today. Mark and Noelle talk about the current state of the appraisal marketplace and what lenders should be on the lookout for now and in the future. IN THIS EPISODE: [1:16] Noelle shares her background and describes what Lender Consulting Services does [6:49] The appraisal industry is aging people out, an...

Mark Treichel and Mark Ritter talk about their respective backgrounds and what it is like on both sides of the examination process. They also talk about the current state of the NCUA and staffing levels. When should you take on examiners and when to back off? Mark and Mark talk about different strategies. IN THIS EPISODE: [0:52] Mark Ritter introduces his guest and the topic of NCUA Examinations [...

Mark and Jeff discuss Jeff's background and the mission of River City FCU. Jeff explains the value of CDFI status that credit unions can access. Jeff and Mark have a lengthy discussion about the value of credit unions of all sizes and the purpose credit unions have in today's economy, along with ideas on how to maintain the number of credit unions in the United States. IN THIS EPISODE: [0:48] Mark...

Craig and Mark talk about the old days of commercial lending in credit unions and how the dynamics between CUSO and CU’s have changed over the years. They also review the best practices in utilizing third parties to assist your lending operations.  IN THIS EPISODE: [0:24] Mark discusses what MBFS does and how it can assist credit unions. [2:17] Craig describes his background and professional...

Where has the time gone? Mark and Jeff look back at what they said a year ago to see how accurate their predictions were. They also take a look at how 2023 played out, both good and bad and what CUs should be doing to plan for the future. IN THIS EPISODE: [1:40] Jeff shares his duties and responsibilities at MBFS.  [2:00] Mark and Jeff discuss how things shifted in 2023. The hope is things wi...

How do we REALLY do as an industry? In today's solo episode, Mark looks at the principles of the credit union industry and grades each area to see where we excel and where we can improve. IN THIS EPISODE: [01:19] Mark will evaluate how credit unions are doing.  [03:43] Voluntary and open membership gets an A+.  [06:18] Democratic member control gets a D.  [09:37] Member economic par...

After talking about John's background in the mortgage business, Mark and John talk about the boom times over the last few years and low-interest cycles. John talks about the current regulatory climate today and what he expects the mortgage market to look like over the next few years. IN THIS EPISODE: [2:22] John describes how First Heritage operates and his professional background [5:52] John expl...

Joining Mark today is one of his favorite people in the credit union space along with being the most inspirational. Alisha Martin's journey is one of resilience and perseverance. Today, Alisha runs the business development efforts at Suncoast and Mark and Alisha talk about what works and what doesn't in today's marketplace to acquire new members. IN THIS EPISODE: [01:54] Alisha introduces herself...

Deposits. Everyone is looking for them, and no one seems to have the magic bullet---except John Ballantyne. Mark and John discuss the benefits of a commercial deposit focus and strategies to succeed in this line of business.  IN THIS EPISODE: [0:44] Mark explains what today’s episode is about.  [2:12] John discusses his background and how he became CEO of Tru Treasury, and he talks about...

If you like college football talk sprinkled in with your credit union talk, this is the episode for you. Mark and Andy catch up on Penn State football before a deep dive into how LoanStar helps credit unions and the current lending/regulatory environment. IN THIS EPISODE: [02:32] Andrew shares his background before starting Lone Star Technologies.  [5:18] Andrew explains what Lone Star does.&...

Your portfolio is clean now, and "everyone is paying." Good loans sometimes go bad, and it will undoubtedly happen to your portfolio at some point. Craig and Mark talk about the history lessons of the Great Recession and how to tackle your portfolio in the future when bumps in the road happen. IN THIS EPISODE: [02:58] Craig shares his background and history working in the financial industry. [04:5...

Let's talk about some of the great things credit unions do every day! The CrossState Foundation executes the playbook on many of the wonderful initiatives for our industry. Sue and Mark talk about what goes on behind the scenes carrying out this crucial mission of credit unions. IN THIS EPISODE: [02:46] Sue shares her journey to her current position at the CrossState Foundation [05:27] Sue reflect...

Joe and Mark talk about the state of the industry and what we see on the horizon. Joe also gives a profile of his strategy for investing in CUSOs and what he looks for in a CUSO investment. IN THIS EPISODE: [01:51] Joe shares his background and journey to where he is today.  [04:01] Mark and Joe agree that it is a disservice to an employee to specialize in an area as opposed to learning the e...

Mark & Rick travel down a compliance journey today to talk about best practices in compliance and some of the pitfalls of not keeping on top of it at your organization.   Connect with Rick and his team at https://compliance4creditunions.com/ IN THIS EPISODE: [02:47] Rick shares his background and current position at Compliance 4 Credit Unions. [07:56] Rick discusses what has surprised him...

It's time to take a walk down memory lane and review the wackiest and wildest loan program ever: the Paycheck Protection Program. Omar Shute of DFTC and Jeff Lyons of MBFS joined us for a topic that we couldn't fit into just one episode. IN THIS EPISODE: [00:31] Mark gives an overview of Part One. [01:35] The expectation of how long the PPP loans would last.  [03:36] Jeff describes the second...

It's time to take a walk down memory lane and review the wackiest and wildest loan program ever: the Paycheck Protection Program. Omar Shute of DFTC and Jeff Lyons of MBFS joined us for a topic that we couldn't fit into just one episode. IN THIS EPISODE: [02:31] Jeff and Omar introduce themselves and share their responsibilities at their respective firms.  [04:24] Jeff’s view of the history o...

Sean and Mark hit up a variety of topics to talk about the state of the mortgage industry today and how lenders can keep up with all the necessary compliance. Also, why have credit unions gotten so complicated? Mark and Sean take a deep dive into credit reporting and where it was, and where it is going. IN THIS EPISODE: [01:44] Sean describes his role at United One, the areas of service United One...

We all say we want to help small businesses but sometimes struggle to help growing businesses meet their cash flow demands. Mark and Pat talk about the challenges of wrapping your head around the credit culture, risk, and management of properly funding small business owners at the credit union. IN THIS EPISODE: [02:27] Pat shares his banking and credit union background.  [04:08] How were peop...

What's changed since the last time Kristina was on the show? A lot. Mark and Kristina talk through what it is like to analyze and decide on lending in today's "new normal." IN THIS EPISODE: [00:35] Mark explains what MBFS or Member Business Financial Services does, and Kristina explains her role at MBFS and how the company has grown since its inception.  [08:19] Kristina explains the pros and...

After talking about the boom times in the pandemic, Mark and Dustin reset about what it takes to manage the sales and strategy for a large credit union in 2023 and beyond. Mark and Dustin do quite a bit of prognostication in this episode, so we will revisit it next year to see if they are right! IN THIS EPISODE: [02:20] Dustin shares his working history through the banking field to the Credit Unio...

Kirk and Mark talk about the state of today's credit union industry and attempt to solve all the current climate issues. Kirk talks to Mark about the challenges for credit unions today in attracting and retaining the best talent.  IN THIS EPISODE: [03:19] Kirk shares his employment background and what he is currently doing.  [10:22] Kirk discusses how he came to know the right questions...

Mark and Mike try to demystify one of the complex and rewarding lending areas that can also be filled with pitfalls and peril if not done properly. Learn a bit about Mike's construction management history and what support exists for construction lending at credit unions. IN THIS EPISODE: [01:50] Mike shares his education and professional background.  [03:14] Mike outlines the various services...