Leaders in Lending

Most banks still treat community banking as a regulatory box to check. Queanne Smith, SVP and Group Strategy Manager at U.S. Bank, says that mindset caps growth instead of driving it, and breaks down how a 5% lift in client retention can swing profit by 25 to 90 percent. In this episode: - Community banking as growth infrastructure, not a side initiative - Getting embedded early in the customer li...

The regulations never went away. The exams slowed down, the enforcement pulled back, but every rule is still on the books. And when the pendulum swings back, everything being done right now is going to get looked at. Mike Reynolds from Zions Bancorporation and Aaron Rakowski from WesBanco co-chair the CBA CFPB Committee and have a clear message: this window is not a vacation. It's a chance to catc...

Innovation is accelerating across consumer banking. AI, digital assets and new payment models are reshaping the industry. But institutions still operate inside established regulatory frameworks. In this episode, Kyle Glenn of the Consumer Bankers Association joins Lynn Sauter Beale to discuss how banks can stay proactive as technology evolves and policy adapts.  If you lead lending, compliance or...

The banking product is commoditized. The experience is not. In this episode of Leaders in Lending, guest host Deepak Bhandari sits down with TJ Steele, director of digital channels at Eastern Bank, to discuss how banks can differentiate when rates, accounts and products look the same everywhere. They cover:  • How to turn the mobile phone into a “wingman” for customers • Why AI is just another too...

Auto affordability isn't a cycle this time. It's a new baseline. In this episode, guest host Deepak Bhandari from Upstart sits down with Eric Earvin from First Commonwealth Bank and Michael Gilbert from Associated Bank, co-chairs of the CBA Auto Finance Committee, to talk about why it's time to stop waiting for costs to come back down and start rethinking how we lend. Insurance up 14% year over ye...

Banks don't know if they should be running disparate impact analysis or not. The CFPB is rewriting its own rules. State AGs are filling the gaps. And the legal questions around agentic AI haven't even been answered yet. CBA General Counsel David Pommerehn breaks down what's actually happening and what lending leaders should do about it. Recorded at CBA Live 2026 in San Diego, this episode covers:...

The biggest lending risk in 2026 may not be where you think. Experian Chief Economist Joseph Mayans calls today’s environment a one trick pony economy. Growth is concentrated. White collar strength is carrying the load. And if that shifts, prime borrowers may be the segment to watch. Recorded at CBA Live 2026, this episode covers: • The macro outlook into mid-2026 • AI concentration risk • White c...

How can lenders increase approvals without increasing charge-offs? In this episode of Leaders in Lending, Dan Harp, Chief Lending Officer at 717 Credit Union, discusses how decision engines and AI-powered underwriting models are reshaping risk assessment. From 2,000-variable models to borrower trajectory analysis, this conversation explores: Credit scoring limitations AI and machine learning in un...

AI in lending is no longer a future conversation. It is operational today. In Episode 185 of Leaders in Lending, we discuss what is actually working in regulated environments. From underwriting and fraud detection to document verification and exception handling, AI is becoming more measurable and more embedded in daily workflows. We also examine fairness, human oversight and the competitive pressu...

In this episode of Leaders in Lending, Adam Landsverk, Chief Lending Officer at FOXCU , joins host Barry Roach to discuss leadership, responsibility, and what it really means to serve members in today’s lending environment. With decades of experience across consumer lending, mortgage, commercial banking, and wealth management, Adam shares his journey from traditional banking into the credit union...

In this special year-end edition of Leaders in Lending, Drew Megrey, Barry Roach, and Lynn Sautter Beal reflect on the most impactful conversations from 2025. As lending leaders navigated a year defined by uncertainty, rapid technological change, and evolving regulatory landscapes, this episode revisits the insights that shaped the industry. From credit risk strategy and AI model governance to new...

In this episode of Leaders in Lending, host Barry Roach sits down with Lisa Highley, Chief Lending Officer at the University of Kentucky Federal Credit Union, for a candid conversation about what truly separates managing from leading in today’s lending environment. Highley shares her unconventional rise from part-time teller to executive leader and recalls the moment she realized that operational...

Managing $10 billion in loans teaches you a lot about what truly drives repayment and performance. In this episode of Leaders in Lending, host Lynn Sautter Beal sits down with Jesse Obbink, vice president and general manager of servicing at Upstart, to break down the operational, analytical and human insights that matter most once a loan is on the books. Jesse shares why servicing is “underwriting...

The economy is shifting fast, and your lending strategy cannot afford to lag. In this episode of Leaders in Lending, hosts Barry Roach and Drew Megrey explore how scenario planning helps financial leaders stay ahead of market volatility. Learn how top executives are navigating uncertainty, managing technology risks such as AI and cybersecurity, and making bold decisions that could define 2026. Whe...

Credit unions are operating in a new lending environment defined by risk, regulation and rapid innovation. In this episode of Leaders in Lending, hosts Barry Roach, Drew Megrey and Lynn Sautter Beal share how forward-thinking credit unions are adapting to win. They explore how to build confidence in AI-driven models, balance compliance with growth, and strengthen governance through smarter data. T...

Credit union membership growth is shrinking as per TruStage research, and the competition isn’t slowing down. In this episode of Leaders in Lending, co-hosts Lynn Sautter Beal, Drew Megrey, and Barry Roach dig into the hard truths about why CUs are losing members—and what can be done to turn the tide. They explore how fintech partnerships, smarter onboarding, and personalized member experiences ca...

2025 has been all about the crunch. Credit is tight, uncertainty is everywhere and lenders are asking: is this the new normal or just another cycle? In this episode, we unpack what’s driving the squeeze, from regulation and rates to global risk, and how smart institutions are staying ahead. We also look forward. 2026 will not be business as usual. AI, new lending models and shifting borrower behav...

Auto loan rates are high, millions of borrowers are rate-locked, and a refinancing wave is on the horizon. In this episode, co-hosts Lynn Sautter Beal, Drew Megrey, and Barry Roach break down why credit unions are uniquely positioned to win the auto refi surge. They dig into smarter underwriting, targeted outreach, and the fintech tools helping CUs capture opportunity at scale. This isn’t a “wait...

What if the next conference you attended didn’t just inspire ideas, but actually drove change? In this episode of Leaders in Lending, hosts Lynn Sautter Beal, Drew Megrey, and Barry Roach share practical strategies for turning insights from ACU Strategic Growth Conference into meaningful action. They explore how credit unions can prioritize takeaways, implement initiatives, and keep momentum going...

Access to credit can be life-changing, but for many members, the process still feels out of reach. Great Lakes Credit Union is working to change that with practical solutions that meet people where they are. In this episode, host Drew Megrey sits down with Steve Bugg, President and CEO of GLCU, to talk about how his team is rethinking lending through small-dollar loans, credit builder programs, an...

Technology is reshaping every corner of financial services. For credit unions, the challenge isn’t just keeping up, it’s choosing the right tools, partners, and processes to stay ahead without losing sight of the member experience. In this episode, host Drew Megrey sits down with Bill Clancy, Vice President of Consumer Lending at Advia Credit Union, to explore how his team navigates digital transf...

Rising vehicle prices, longer loan terms, and shrinking margins. As credit unions adapt, standing out requires more than competitive rates. It takes consistency, clarity, and a lending team built for speed and service. In this episode, host Barry Roach sits down with Adam Brice, Chief Lending Officer at EFCU Financial, to unpack how his team reimagined consumer lending from the ground up. From cre...

As credit unions grapple with an increasingly digital-first market, the path to growth lies in strategic partnerships, streamlined onboarding, and data-driven cross-sell strategies. In this episode, host Matt Snow sits down with Kirk Drake —author, entrepreneur, and founder of CU 2.0—to explore how credit unions can stay relevant in a fast-changing financial landscape. Drawing on decades of experi...

As the regulatory environment continues to shift and technology reshapes the compliance landscape, today’s lending leaders are under increasing pressure to stay agile and forward-thinking.  In this episode, recorded live at CBA Live 2025 in Orlando, host Lynn Sautter Beal sits down with Aaron Rykowski , Chief Compliance Officer at WesBanco, and Mikey Reynolds , Director of Compliance at Zions Bank...

As regulatory scrutiny intensifies and innovation accelerates, fair-and-responsible banking leaders are coming together to keep compliance programs adaptive, effective and aligned with evolving expectations. In this episode, recorded at CBA Live 2025 in Orlando, host Lynn Sautter Beal sits down with Lindsay Yousif, Executive Compliance Director at Ally, and Nick Roesler of M&T Bank. Both serve...