Shared Accounts with CU Times

Bancography President Steve Reider takes us behind the scenes of his branch strategy consulting business and shares best practices for building a network that supports growth. And it's Mad Libs time again! Did Michael learn his lesson and keep it under twenty minutes or did he follow his heart and create a timeless epic? Listen to find out!

Get to know recently-appointed NuMark CU CEO and Chicago native Michelle Balog, whose legal background is sure to come in handy as regulatory uncertainty persists. Also, because they're total pros, Michael, Natasha, and Producer Zach discuss AI without mentioning Skynet or Arnold Schwarzenegger once.

Peter Strozniak joins us to talk about the top credit union stories and what we are thinking about as we cover your world.

Matt Potere, CEO of Happy Money, discusses how credit unions can leverage digital lending strategies to reduce consumer debt while strengthening member relationships. Also, the stars align, and Michael and Natasha both give an enthusiastic recommendation to "Companion" (2025).

Lauren Culp, the new Executive Director of the National Credit Union Foundation, shares her strategic priorities.  Also, what famous movie star held Natasha as a baby? And old man Ogden talks about Robert Wagner for a bit.

Tri-state League CEO Scott Simpson, along with Stephanie Cuevas, SVP of Federal Government Affairs for the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues, share how they’re hitting the ground running on the advocacy front for credit unions out West amid regulatory chaos.  Also, with the craziness surrounding, well, everything, Michael, Natasha, and Producer Zach take a breath and discuss childhood TV...

The CEO, COO and CIO, all of whom coincidentally share a first name, take us behind the scenes of their Florida credit union’s merger and expansion plans. Also, Michael, Natasha, and Producer Zach discuss irrational (and rational) fears.

Elizabeth Ergubian, partner at Atlas Advocacy and former Director of External Affairs and Communications Policy Advisor for the NCUA, sheds light on what the abrupt removal of NCUA Board Members Todd Harper and Tanya Otsuka means for the agency and credit union industry.  Also, to lighten the mood, Michael, Natasha, and Producer Zach play a rousing game of NCUA Madlibs.

 ViClarity VP Katie Grey Ferrell shares her knowledge and passion for compliance, and how she’s keeping credit unions sane amid regulatory chaos. Also, Natasha is still moonlighting the baby bird beat, while Michael refers to notorious 1989 tearjerker "Steel Magnolias" as a "fun movie".

Lee Morgan, CEO at PenAir CU in Florida, shares lessons in CU management success as he walks us through PenAir’s recent expansions and major projects. Also, Natasha is back to bird watching and Michael is back to feeling nostalgic about the 1990's.

Consultant and former NCUA Board Member Geoff Bacino talks candidly about the rapid changes happening to credit union regulation in Washington D.C. Also, Natasha and Michael have a quick discussion on 2003 film Oldboy and the lack of representation for octopuses in American movies.

Cathie Mahon, CEO of the credit union industry’s CDFI intermediary, shares how her organization is pushing forward to do good amid the chaotic actions of the current administration. Also, Michael, Natasha, and Producer Zach play a thrilling game of "how do you like your water". Can you guess which daredevil of the group takes theirs with ice?

The CEO of the nation’s only six-state credit union league reflects on his career and shares his 2025 advocacy priorities. Also, Michael grills Natasha and Producer Zach on the price of groceries, then proceeds to come across as even snobbier than usual by discussing his love of 60s French cinéma.

Henry Meier. Esq. joins us to drill down on the early days of Chairman Hauptman’s term at the NCUA and the chaos happening in other parts of the CU industry. Also, Michael and Natasha discuss journalism in 2025 but more importantly, debate how age affects hunkiness by way of Keanu Reeves: who's the bigger beefcake? Young "Speed" era Keanu or salt and pepper modern day "John Wick"?

U.S. Marine Corps veteran and PenFed Credit Union SVP Terry Williams takes us inside a program dedicated to the success of veteran entrepreneurs, as well as an AI-driven novel writing, music composition and coding endeavor.  Also Michael tries out some new taglines for the podcast and Natasha leaves reality TV behind to check out a documentary on mayor turned ... progressive human-interest story p...

Ed Maslaveckas, CEO and co-founder at data intelligence fintech Bud Financial, paints a clear picture of AI’s abilities for credit unions and its members. Also, Natasha opens up her rainbow unicorn Trapper Keeper and takes us back to elementary school with a discussion on Lisa Frank.

Southwest Financial FCU’s President/CEO Melanie Kennedy and VP Luke Campbell share the solutions AI solves for their all-digital credit union. Also, Natasha checks in from the craziness in California to flex her knowledge of celebrity baby names.

DCUC’s Chief Advocacy Officer Jason Stverak lays out the priorities and plans for this new congressional year.  Also, Michael gets his crystals out and discusses the numerological implications of 2025 while Producer Zach recommends a twelve year old reality show. Bonus Content Link to Jason's Family Candy Store Link to The Alpine Inn

Glenn Fratangelo of NICE Actimize explains how credit unions can use AI to defend against today’s fraud threats – including the rise of the “crimefluencer” – before it’s used to defraud  them .  Plus Michael, Natasha, and Producer Zach discuss how predictive AI affects them most: algorithm curated social media content. Bonus content alert : to see Natasha's YouTube channel discussed in the show, c...

Natasha, Michael, and Producer Zach spread holiday cheer by talking about themselves…and fans of the pod. Link to guest playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6GuPe29N8uUfLOtHC4qGWy?si=KZB8kAK8So2xHVA1Nmeo5g&pi=u-ah35-eYWQsqE Link to guest Letterboxd collection: https://boxd.it/B8Jdk

CIO/mambo dancer extraordinaire Joseph Pellissery breaks down the complex topic of AI into real-world use cases for credit unions. Also, Michael, Natasha, and Producer Zach preview what end-of-year beverages they're looking forward to leaning on to make it through the holidays. Bonus: Link to Michael's Pomegranate Punch Recipe .

How is the economy impacting credit unions’ ability to succeed in the commercial lending and business services space? CUBG CEO Justin Conrey explains. Also, Michael plays a game with Natasha and producer Zach by having them guess pop songs via dramatic reading. How long does it take producer Zach to identify Miley Cyrus? Not long!

Affinity FCU President/CEO Kevin Brauer speaks candidly about three decades of change, both good and bad, within the credit union space.  Also, Michael and Natasha are back and recovering from the biggest news event of November 2024: the Luminaries Awards!

Fintel Connect CEO Nicky Senyard returns with fresh insights for credit unions from her world of fintech and affiliate marketing. Also, it may not be spooky season any longer but our hosts still love their killers, as Natasha watches "Woman of the Hour" and Michael checks out "Trap".

The Florida credit union’s chief information officer discusses AI, a recent digital transformation, hurricane season and more. Also, Michael and Natasha miss the memo that spooky season is over and turkey time is here as they squeeze in a quick discussion of the X Trilogy.