CUNA News Podcast

Credit Union Rock Stars are typically known for their selflessness and dedication to others. Sheri Szemplinski and Arnessa Belin are no exceptions.  Sheri Szemplinski , operations administrator for the business operations team in commercial banking at $2.3 billion asset CAP COM Federal Credit Union in Albany, N.Y., has committed her legacy to volunteer work, both at the credit union and in her per...

Jeff Moss divulges the secret to member and loan acquisition in three words: Make it easy. “You have to make those experiences incredibly simple and be readily available to help people through those processes,” says Moss , area vice president, financial institutions, for Podium . It all boils down to convenience, he says, no matter what part of the transaction the member is in. In this episode of...

If there’s no education like adversity, Steve Schmitz and Eric Bruen should receive advanced degrees. Schmitz , president/CEO of $1 billion asset First Community Credit Union in Jamestown, N.D., and Bruen , president/CEO at $60 million asset Desert Valleys Federal Credit Union in Ridgecrest, Calif., led their institutions through dire financial straits and learned many useful lessons along the way...

When credit unions think about ways to drive growth, marketing may not be the first thing that comes to mind. But marketing shows enormous potential in this area. If marketing integrates well with the rest of the credit union, it ensures that goals and messages are clearly understood across departments and communicated to members. This episode of the CUNA News Podcast features James Gilbert, head...

Financial institutions, businesses, and government agencies use the Federal Reserve ’s Fedwire system to transfer vast sums of money. Currently, the Federal Reserve is modernizing its systems by embracing a new standard for message formats and expanding the settlement windows for wires. However, many current systems used by credit unions are incompatible with these changes. This episode of the CUN...

Credit unions across the country work to build better communities. Sharing stories of support is a critical component of Advancing Communities , an initiative launched by America’s Credit Unions. It’s also important to share these stories with lawmakers, to help them understand the vital roles credit unions fulfill in their communities. This episode of the CUNA News Podcast features Illinois State...

Financial well-being is at the heart of the credit union philosophy. PSCU , a CUNA associate business member at the premier level, recently completed a study that assessed the financial health of credit union members and employees against a national benchmark.   The study, “How Credit Unions Can Become Financial Health Providers,” found that more than 60% of credit union members surveyed struggle...

When news hits that a credit union has purchased the assets of a community bank, it’s often a win-win situation for the credit union, community bank, and community involved. “Bank owners have a lot of reasons for selling to a credit union,” says Caroline Willard, president/CEO of the Cornerstone League . “Sometimes that includes a better cultural fit, a likelihood of employee retention, and also p...

With deadlines approaching and preparation to be done, CECL compliance needs to be top-of-mind for credit unions. However, credit unions might be concerned about the cost and complexity involved or have questions about how to get started. This episode of the CUNA News Podcast features Shawn O'Brien, president of QwickRate .  O'Brien provides guidance for keeping CECL compliance simple. H...

This episode continues to explore the findings of CUNA's " Women in Credit Union Leadership " issue brief through discussions with three female CEOs in the credit union movement: Karen Madry, CEO of $80 million asset Afena Federal Credit Union in Marion, Ind. Stephanie Teubner, CEO of 1.5 billion asset Blue Federal Credit Union in Cheyenne, Wyo. Tracie Kenyon, CEO of Montana's...

Ask for a definition of a fintech and you’ll get many different answers. Some believe they’re startup companies while others will say well-established companies with a focus on innovation fit the description. “In the truest sense of the term, it’s a provider of financial technology and we can all agree to that,” says Micheal Herman, president of AdvantEdge Digital , a CUNA Strategic Services allia...

Earlier this year, CUNA released an industry report that found 51% of U.S. credit union CEOs—and 33% of board members—are women.  The “ Women in Credit Union Leadership ” issue brief examines the extent to which women are represented in leadership positions at credit unions compared to commercial banks. This episode of the CUNA News Podcast features a conversation between Mike Schenk, chief econom...

According to a study by Oxford Economics , Generation Z, or the generation of Americans born after about 1996, is projected to grow to a population of 51 million by 2030. Gen Z already has collective spending power of $143 billion, making this group an important focus for financial institutions. Credit unions, too, must effectively reach Gen Z to build membership and generate growth. This episode...

COVID brought many changes, but Joseph Michelli hopes leaders will see the last year as an opportunity to hit the pause button and become more intentional about how they lead. “I hope they will use this as a purpose reset,” says Michelli, an author and organizational consultant. “That they’ll look back at this time and say, ‘That was the moment where we hit pause on the way things have always been...

While coaching and leadership complement each other, they serve different roles in a manager’s toolbox. In this episode of the CUNA News Podcast , our latest in a series focused on service culture, we’ll address how coaching drives execution of leadership’s strategic vision. While leading is about creating vision, coaching is about personalizing that vision through positive, meaningful relationshi...

It’s an exciting time for the CUNA/league system and the American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL) with a number of new league leaders taking the helm at their organizations. Among the new group of leaders are: Patty Corkery, president/CEO of the Michigan Credit Union League . Rich Schaffer, president/CEO of the West Virginia Credit Union League . Carrie Hunt, president/CEO of the Virgi...

On July 30, the credit union movement will come together to inspire an authentic and high-energy conversation about why we love credit unions. Using the hashtag #ilovemycreditunion , credit unions and leagues across the country will use all social platforms to raise awareness of credit unions and share the amazing ways they serve their members and communities. In this episode of the CUNA News Podc...

A popular book on simplifying one’s life is titled, in part, “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff.” This might be sound advice for decluttering one’s mind, but, when it comes to member service, the genius is in the details. In this episode of the CUNA News Podcast , our latest in a series focused on service culture, we explore how attention to detail makes service experiences meaningful for consumers.  Ja...

Good marketers don’t go it alone. Instead, they collaborate to gain multiple perspectives and achieve the best possible outcomes. That approach works well for Alana Kelly, marketing manager at $365 million asset On Tap Credit Union in Golden, Colo. She received the 2021 Rising Star Award from the CUNA Marketing & Business Development Council .  In this episode of the CUNA News Podcast, Kelly e...

As credit unions look ahead to post-pandemic operations, it’s clear that some of the solutions created or enhanced in 2020 are here to stay. Like other areas of credit unions, lending departments have experienced significant process changes. Many loan originators, underwriters, and other employees shifted to working in virtual environments and adapting loan processes to the digital space. At the s...

For Juan Fernández, Pride Month is about celebrating what makes each of us unique. “That’s something I’ve struggled with throughout my life,” says Fernandez, president/CEO of the Credit Union Association of New Mexico . “I’ve come to a place in my career and in my life where I have finally been able to accept myself and bring my whole self to the credit union movement. It makes a huge difference.”...

With the rising availability of vaccinations and the country reopening, people are beginning to spend at or above pre-pandemic levels. And they’re turning to digital channels to complete their financial transactions, a move that was accelerated by the pandemic . “Payments is the path to growth,” says Todd Clark, CEO of CO-OP Financial Services , a CUNA associate business member at the elite level....

This episode of the CUNA News Podcast continues the discussion about Advancing Communities , an initiative launched by America’s Credit Unions. Advancing Communities encourages credit unions to share stories of economic prosperity, community support, and financial well-being. Credit unions around the country have drawn inspiration from the initiative to make real differences for their members and...

To fully unlock their digital potential, credit unions must develop or adapt strategies to address several emerging market realities. Lending trends in particular have changed dramatically, and credit unions must navigate consumer expectations and market competition while continuing to advance their members’ financial well-being . This episode of the CUNA News Podcast features Kevin Polinsky, seni...

As a graphic designer, Kassandra Martin brought creative skills to her job at Direct Federal Credit Union in Needham, Mass. She took it upon herself to learn the data analytical skills that increased her value to the credit union and gave her a more strategic role within the organization.   In this podcast, Martin, digital strategy manager at Direct Federal, explains how she applied the same patie...