C.U. on the Show

In this episode of CU On the Show , host Doug English speaks with Mitch Rutledge, CEO and co-founder of Vertice AI, and Fred Eisel, CEO of Vizo Financial. Together, they explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the credit union landscape, particularly in the face of declining membership, limited resources, and the push for personalized financial services. Learn how data-driven decisions ca...

When rapid growth slows, and headwinds grow stronger, how do credit union leaders pivot with purpose? In this episode of CU On The Show , Jefferson Financial Federal Credit Union CEO Mark Rosa and Olden Lane CEO Mike Macchiarola share a candid, behind-the-scenes look at his journey from 20+ years of successful growth through mergers to the bold decision to be acquired. The result? A powerful refle...

What really drives CEO compensation in credit unions? It’s more than just the numbers. In this episode of CU On The Show, JP O’Connor, executive compensation consultant at Park Compensation Consulting, joins Doug English to reveal how board backgrounds, financial experiences, and biases influence executive pay decisions. Check out the ACT Advisors Blog for a written summary of this episode! Want t...

In this episode of CU On The Show, Doug English welcomes back Todd Spiczenski to give an exclusive preview of the 2025 Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC)—set to be one of the biggest and most impactful events for credit union leaders in 2025. With record-breaking attendance numbers, a sold-out exhibit hall, and a powerhouse lineup of keynote speakers, GAC 2025 is a must-attend event for credit...

Acquiring a bank is no small feat, and when two credit union CEOs with over three decades of experience in the industry sit down to discuss their journeys, the insights are invaluable. In this episode of C.U. On The Show, Doug English interviews Bob Steensma, CEO of Five Star Credit Union, and David Southall, CEO of Innovations Credit Union. Both leaders share their strategies, challenges, and les...

In this episode of “C.U. On The Show” Doug English sits down with Steven Kozlowski, associate professor of finance at Fairfield University, and Sam Brownell, founder of CU Collaborate, to explore the complex dynamics of credit union mergers. Steven shares groundbreaking research on how merger motivations, whether distress-driven or voluntary—impact members and institutions, while Sam provides acti...

In this episode of CU On the Show , Doug English explores how credit unions are branching into niche markets to meet the evolving needs of their communities. Joining Doug are John Janclaes, Rob Hoyle, and David Barone, who share insights into how Vantage West Credit Union, in partnership with Nymbus, developed Hustl —a specialized brand designed to support skilled freelancers. This episode reveals...

In this episode of CU On the Show , host Doug English is joined by board governance experts Jennie Boden, CEO of Quantum Governance, and Lynette Smith, chief engagement officer and former credit union CEO. Together, they dive into the crucial role of board governance in driving credit union success. From creating a Governance Action Plan to building a strategic, forward-thinking board, Jennie and...

In this episode of "CU On the Show," host Doug English sits down with credit union leaders Jenny Vipperman and Jennifer Kouchis from ORNL Federal Credit Union to explore how bold ideas are transforming the future of credit unions. They discuss the importance of long-term stewardship, the role of innovation in serving underserved communities, and the need to redefine revenue models to align with me...

In this episode of CU on the Show , host Doug English talks with John Janclaes, President of Nymbus CUSO , about how credit unions can drive growth through digital branding, strategic partnerships, and modern technology. John shares real-world examples of credit unions successfully launching niche digital brands to meet diverse member needs and discusses the importance of shifting from a vendor mi...

In this episode of CU On the Show, host Doug English welcomes Charles Shanley, a veteran executive recruiter with over 25 years of experience in the credit union and banking industries. Charles shares his journey from a family of headhunters to establishing Shanley Search Partners, where he specializes in placing top-tier talent in credit unions across the country.  Tune in as they discuss the cur...

Join us on "CU On the Show" for an enlightening conversation with Heather McKissick, CEO of CUES, as she shares her journey and leadership philosophy in the credit union industry. Heather delves into the importance of dynamic leadership, balancing change with mission stability, and innovative approaches to leadership development. Discover practical strategies for fostering effective lead...

In this episode of CU On the Show, Brian Scott, EVP and Chief Growth Officer at PSCU Co-op Solutions, discusses how generative AI is transforming credit unions. Learn how AI enhances customer experience, fraud prevention, and operational efficiency. Discover practical applications and the importance of clean data and fintech collaboration. Tune in for actionable insights to revolutionize your cred...

Join host Doug English on "CU On the Show" as he sits down with fintech and credit union expert Samantha Paxson. This episode dives into the transformative potential of fintech partnerships for credit unions, exploring strategies for breaking away from traditional, risk-averse approaches to become dynamic, member-centric organizations. Samantha shares insights on utilizing cutting-edge t...

In this episode of CU On the Show, Doug English speaks with Todd Fanning of GreenState Credit Union and Mike Macchiarola from Olden Lane , diving into how subordinated debt has become a key strategy for credit union growth and community impact. They share insights from GreenState's experience leveraging this financial tool for expansive growth and initiating a significant social bond for minor...

In a world where technological advancements continue to shape and redefine the landscape of  credit unions, the question of how technology can humanize culture is not just pertinent but essential. In this detailed exploration with Dr. Troy Hall , a best-selling author and expert in talent retention and cohesion culture, we delve into the ways technology can enhance cultural dynamics within credit...

The credit union movement’s biggest annual advocacy event, the Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC) hosted by America's Credit Unions, will occur this year from March 3 to 7 in Washington, D.C. and draw an estimated 6,000 attendees.  Doug English sits with Todd Spiczenski , Chief Association Services Officer at America’s Credit Unions, to discuss what changes and improvements attendees can ex...

Achieving unprecedented growth takes strategic planning, ongoing examination, and access to the information required to consider bold ideas and pursue opportunities.  In this episode, guest Michael Bell, partner and chair of the Financial Institutions Practices Group at Honigman, LLP, sheds light on non-organic growth options that may be unfamiliar to many credit unions. These strategies have the...

Exceptional leaders play a critical role in any organization’s success. Effective leadership can help credit unions navigate new challenges, innovate, and get results while creating an environment that aligns with the expectations of modern employees. Without it there is a significant risk to organizations and the broader credit union movement. Laurie Maddalena, CEO of Envision Excellence, returns...

With funding pressures and the high rate of deposits across credit unions, leaders must find creative ways to generate capital. Credit unions need capital to maintain good financial standing and pursue long-term strategic plans, such as acquiring another financial institution, undergoing a digital transformation, and more.  In this episode, Doug is joined by returning guest Bill Paton, vice presid...

As we approach year-end, there are several tax-optimization strategies credit union executives and recent retirees may consider based on their current financial situation. Credit union leaders often have complex compensation and retirement benefit packages that lend themselves to creative solutions that may help them save more money or manage their tax liability. Wes Johnson, CFP® professional and...

Credit unions are joining forces in the first-of-its-kind strategic investment fund, Curql. This innovative fund helps credit unions partner with and invest in fintech that will help drive the credit union movement forward, effectively competing with larger financial institutions that have unlimited research and development dollars. Guest Brian Lauer is the general counsel of the National Associat...

In recent years, credit unions have made significant strides in enhancing their digital banking platforms and addressing challenges posed by the pandemic, such as high deposit rates. However, today credit unions are facing a new focal point—data—which the 2023 Strategy Priorities Benchmark Survey conducted by Jack Henry & Associates® explores. Survey respondents, including credit union and ban...

Passionate about cooperatives that focus on mission, our guest, Sam Brownell, CEO and founder of CUCollaborate, wants to help credit unions become the primary financial partner of every American. He hopes to achieve that through a new data consortium, AnalyzeCU, which credit unions can leverage to gain new insights, compete with big banks, and deliver more value. Sam discusses the platform, featur...

Last year, ACT Advisors released its white paper, The 125% Credit Union Executive, which described how credit union leaders could unlock up to 25% more in assets from their executive benefits by applying optimized executive financial strategies. In late 2022, the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act 2.0 was passed, including provisions that offer credit union executiv...