Grow Your Credit Union

Are Credit Unions Undervaluing Outreach? In this episode of Grow Your Credit Union, host Joshua Barclay and guest co-host James McBride, CEO of CONNECTS Federal Credit Union, welcome David Sussman, CEO of PFP Services, to explore strategies for more meaningful member engagement and sustainable growth. Together, they tackle three key areas:Build Trust Before You Call: Discover how a thoughtful, trust-building approach to outbound marketing can turn what’s often seen as an intrusive tactic into a powerful engine for connecting with members on their terms.Big Ears for Better Solutions: Learn how shifting from product pitches to truly listening first can transform cross-selling into a process driven by empathy, understanding, and member-centric value.Choosing Channels That Count: Find out why meeting members where they already are—from employer groups and community events to social media—helps credit unions forge stronger, more relevant relationships and drive long-term growth.A huge thanks to this episode's sponsor, PFP Services. Credit Unions know that engagement is key to success. PFP Services brings expertise, resources, and passion to help you build strong connections with your members. Our goal is to grow your credit union together, forming lasting bonds every step of the way. Partnering with us means a mutually beneficial relationship with absolutely no cost! Visit  familysecurityplan.com/credit-unions/ to learn more.Listen to all of our episodes at growyourcreditunion.com

AI promises big changes, but are credit unions buying into misconceptions that could hold them back? In this episode of Grow Your Credit Union, host Joshua Barclay and guest co-host Elizabeth Osborne, COO, Great Lakes Credit Union are joined by April Clobes, President and CEO, MSU Federal Credit Union to tackle three timely topics:The Three Lies of AI: Common misconceptions about AI in the credit union space and uncover actionable use cases that balance human intelligence with artificial efficiency.Rate Cuts and Member Strategy: Discover how credit unions can leverage rate cuts with innovative deposit products, streamlined refinancing processes, and a focus on financial education.Big Changes Through Baby Steps: Learn how to achieve meaningful progress by focusing on small, data-driven improvements and fostering buy-in across leadership and staff.Visit growyourcreditunion.com to learn more!

Is the Auto Loan Market Breaking Credit Unions?With auto loan portfolios declining at record rates, credit unions are facing tough questions about their reliance on this market. Rising interest rates, changing consumer behaviors, and the younger generation's shift away from car ownership are reshaping strategies. From HELOCs to small business loans, discover how credit unions are adapting to fill the gaps.The Quest for Deposits: Cannabis, Cross-Selling, or Something New?Attracting deposits is becoming a steep climb as credit unions grapple with cost-of-funds challenges and rising competition. Unconventional strategies, including cannabis banking, cross-selling, and small business lending, are explored alongside hard lessons learned in ALM mismanagement. Are credit unions ready to compete with bigger institutions—or does a new playbook need to emerge?Succession Planning: The Silent Killer of Small Credit UnionsSuccession planning remains a persistent problem for credit unions, with issues ranging from board missteps to CEO complacency. Innovative approaches like fractional leadership and executive lending programs offer fresh perspectives on how small credit unions can prepare for the future.In this episode, hosts Joshua Barclay and Becky Reed welcome guest Jon Hernandez, CEO, CalCom, Mattel, Nikkei & Mabuhay CUs to discuss how credit unions can address these critical challenges—and chart a sustainable path forward.

Are credit unions ready to leave remote work behind? Corporate CEOs are making bold moves, with 80% planning full-time office returns in the next three years. For credit unions, the decision isn’t just about where employees work—it’s about maintaining culture, collaboration, and member service.But as leaders wrestle with workforce strategies, bigger shifts are looming. A planned merger between First Technology Federal Credit Union and Digital Federal Credit Union would create the sixth-largest credit union in the U.S. While this promises growth, critics argue it could erode competition and push smaller credit unions closer to extinction.And finally, we cover the broken process of employee onboarding: With only 39% of employees finding it clear and 22% calling it disorganized, credit unions must rethink how they welcome new talent—or risk losing them altogether.In this episode hosts Joshua Barclay and Becky Reed welcome guest Shawn Premer, Chief Human Resources Officer at Consumers Credit Union to discuss these challenges—and offer solutions to keep credit unions growing.

In this episode of Grow Your Credit Union, hosts Joshua Barclay and Becky Reed welcome on guest Matthew Fehrmann, CIO of Kohler Credit Union to talk about these three topics.Core System Challenges: Addressing prevalent dissatisfaction with core systems in the credit union section by exploring the considerations between opting for a complete core conversion versus optimizing existing systems to better meet organizational needs.FinTech Partnerships Back-out Plan: The importance of having a robust contingency plan when collaborating with FinTech companies. Such plans are vital to ensure operational continuity and mitigate risks associated with potential partnership failures.Cybersecurity Management: The complexities of cybersecurity within credit unions. Guidance on selecting appropriate cybersecurity vendors and strategies to remain vigilant against evolving cyber threats.Additionally, we are proud to introduce a brand new segment titled Behind The Data, powered by the Filene Research Institute, offering listeners data-driven insights pertinent to the credit union industry. In this episode we address the CFPBs newest ruling on "Open Banking." Read more about that here.

In this episode of Grow Your Credit Union, hosts Joshua Barclay and Becky Reed welcome Mina Worthington, President and CEO of Solarity Credit Union, to explore the future path for credit unions. They discuss the potential of embracing small business community banking, the importance of reinforcing the cooperative difference, and how credit unions can remain relevant and successful in a rapidly changing financial landscape.Plus, we discuss how credit unions can balance fee eliminations while staying financially sustainable and examine how reimagining the in-branch experience is driving innovation across the industry.

With credit unions managing an average of 182 vendors per week, ensuring alignment between all partners can be a daunting task. But what if getting all your vendors in the same room could unlock new opportunities for strategic growth?In this episode of Grow Your Credit Union, Joshua Barclay and guest co-host Mike McWethy, EVP of Texans Credit Union welcome on Tansley Stearns, President and CEO of Community Financial Credit Union to talk about the value of getting all vendors into one room to align on strategy.Plus:Are credit union boards equipped to meet strategic goals, and how should board recruitment be reimagined?What challenges do credit unions face with member onboarding, and how can they improve the process? A huge thanks to this episodes sponsor, InvestiFIInvestiFi is the only InvestTech solution built to allow for trading to and from deposit accounts, enabling Credit Unions to retain more assets and attract new members. Help your members navigate the complexities of financial markets with ease from within their current online banking experience with InvestiFi. Learn more at investifi.co.

Are you facing the challenge of building the right team to drive your credit union forward? Many leaders grapple with whether to hire specialists with deep expertise or passionate generalists who bring versatility. In an industry that's rapidly evolving, how do you assemble a team that's both agile and aligned with your vision?In this episode of Grow Your Credit Union, Joshua Barclay and guest co-host James McBride, president and CEO, CONNECTS Federal Credit Union welcome on sponsored guest Kian Sarreshteh, co-founder and CEO of InvestiFI to talk about strategies for building the ideal team for growth by balancing specialists and generalists.Plus:Discover how embracing radical transparency can align your organization and enhance collaboration.Learn how integrating investment services directly into your online banking can keep deposits in-house and meet your members' evolving needs.Explore effective ways to enhance member loyalty and increase share of wallet in your credit union.A huge thanks to this episodes sponsor, InvestiFIInvestiFi is the only InvestTech solution built to allow for trading to and from deposit accounts, enabling Credit Unions to retain more assets and attract new members. Help your members navigate the complexities of financial markets with ease from within their current online banking experience with InvestiFi. Learn more at investifi.co.

You want your credit union to be data-driven, but are you asking the right questions to get there? Many credit union leaders have access to endless amounts of data but struggle to translate that into real business impact. Dashboards look great, but how do you use them to move the needle on what truly matters?In this episode of Grow Your Credit Union, Joshua Barclay and Becky Reed  welcome on sponsored guest Ben Stangland, President of Strum Platform to dive deep into the real questions your credit union should be asking to make your data work for you. Questions that go beyond vanity metrics like clicks and opens. Plus:Is your culture designed to truly understand your members?How can vendors evolve into true partners, rather than just another service provider?A huge thanks to this episodes sponsor, Strum PlatformStrum Platform revolutionizes credit union marketing with hyper-targeted segmentation and campaigns that drive loans and deposits. Let us show you how to triple email open rates with campaigns that target the right member at the right time with the right message in minutes. Schedule a demo today to see the power of Strum Platform in action.

With growing scrutiny on financial institutions, forced-place collateral protection insurance (CPI) has become a significant pain point for both members and credit unions. Hidden costs from CPI can lead to inflated loan payments, causing financial strain on members and, in extreme cases, vehicle repossessions. So, how can credit unions protect their members from these pitfalls while maintaining the necessary insurance protections?In this episode of Grow Your Credit Union, hosts Joshua Barclay and Becky Reed welcome on Dan Daggett, Chief Strategy Officer at Credit Unions First, to unpack the real cost of forced-place CPI. They dive into why it’s a problem and explore a member-friendly alternative—lender single interest (LSI) insurance—that keeps the protection but ditches the hidden fees.PLUSCommon mistakes in board dynamics and vendor relationships—and how credit unions can fix them.How to keep your employees adaptable and ready for change in today’s fast-paced world.A huge thanks to our sponsor, Credit Unions FirstCredit Unions First is a fintech insurance credit union service organization that is always putting your “members first,” with all that they do. Credit Unions First is dedicated to creating efficiency for your team and while they are at it, they will show you how to keep more of your members’ dollars, yes, YOUR members' dollars, in your communities where it belongs. ThReach out to Credit Unions First today and find out what they can do for your credit union www.creditunionsfirst.org !Links:Listen to Members First Mindset

With operational costs rising—up nearly 6% over the past year—credit unions face the ongoing challenge of maintaining the efficiency needed to stay competitive. How can your credit union effectively transform increasing operational expenses into opportunities for improvement through team empowerment and technology adoption? In this episode of Grow Your Credit Union, Joshua Barclay and Becky Reed welcome on guest David Tuyo, President and CEO of University Credit Union to talk about innovative strategies to tackle rising operational costs in credit unions. PLUSHow can credit union leaders cultivate a sales-focused culture that aligns with their mission to serve members, without compromising integrity?How can you foster talent development, even when there's a risk of employees leaving for other opportunities? A huge thanks to our sponsor, Strum Platform.Strum Platform revolutionizes credit union marketing with hyper-targeted segmentation and campaigns that drive loans and deposits. Let us show you how to triple email open rates with campaigns that target the right member at the right time with the right message in minutes. Schedule a demo today to see the power of Strum Platform in action. Visit www.strumplatform.com to learn more.

A significant gap exists between executives' perception of how much they trust their employees and how trusted employees actually feel. We can bridge this gap by fostering a trust-based environment which involves encouraging mistakes as learning opportunities and ensuring clear communication and follow-through on employee contributions. Could this forward-thinking approach also lead to growth?In this episode of Grow Your Credit Union, hosts Joshua Barclay and Becky Reed welcome on Brian Lee, President and CEO of Landings Credit Union to talk about trust in leadership and “making mistakes matter.” Plus: We explore why pursuing growth at all costs is a flawed strategy AND examine strategies for maintaining a healthy balance sheet in the post-COVID era.A huge thanks to our sponsor, Strum Platform.Strum Platform revolutionizes credit union marketing with hyper-targeted segmentation and campaigns that drive loans and deposits. Let us show you how to triple email open rates with campaigns that target the right member at the right time with the right message in minutes. Schedule a demo today to see the power of Strum Platform in action. Visit www.strumplatform.com to learn more.

Credit unions often remain stuck in traditional ways of thinking, slowing down their ability to innovate and keep up with modern financial expectations. They need to break away from old habits and start thinking like modern, agile organizations to better serve their members in today's fast-paced financial landscape. Are we ready to stop thinking like credit unions and shift into a different mindset entirely? In this episode of Grow Your Credit Union, host Joshua Barclay and guest co-host Mike McWethy, EVP, Texans Credit Union talk with Nolan Waltman, EVP/COO, First Service Credit Union about why the key to credit union growth is to start operating like a FinTech. PLUS: We talk about how you can identify and create better offerings for your most valuable members.We get tips on how to create commercials that go beyond boring and deliver a memorable message.Huge thanks to our sponsor, InvestiFi. InvestiFi is the only InvestTech solution built to allow for trading to and from deposit accounts, enabling Credit Unions to retain more assets and attract new members. Help your members navigate the complexities of financial markets with ease from within their current online banking experience with InvestiFi.

Credit unions continue to chase outdated goals, aiming to be the primary financial institution for their members despite changing market dynamics. Is the quest to be a primary financial institution still relevant in today's diverse financial services market? How can Credit Unions adapt rather than trying to be everything to everyone?In this episode of Grow Your Credit Union, hosts Joshua Barclay and Becky Reed welcome on Greg Gallant, President/CEO, WeStreet Credit Union to chat about why pursuing the status of primary financial institution may no longer be viable and what credit unions should focus on instead.PLUS: We talk about how to start your journey towards alignment through culture AND we talk about some unconventional methods to achieve growth.

Charter changes can be a game-changer for credit unions, opening new avenues for growth and member engagement. However, navigating the process isn't always straightforward. When the NCUA rejects your submission, it can feel like a significant setback. So, what steps can you take to effectively respond and turn the situation around?In this episode of 'Grow Your Credit Union,' hosts Joshua Barkley and Becky Reed welcome on Jennifer Audette, CEO of POLAM Federal Credit Union to talk about effectively fighting back when NCUA rejects your charter change.Plus, you'll receive valuable tips on transitioning to a leadership role within a new credit union that caters to a dramatically different field of membership. And you’ll learn about the optimal work environments for credit unions—whether remote, in-office, or hybrid.

Are Credit Union events a waste of time, money, and effort? We don't believe so, provided that you have a strategy in place to maximize your networking and learning opportunities. Just how much value can you unlock with the right approach?In this episode of Grow Your Credit Union, hosts Joshua Barclay and Becky Reed welcome John Salgado, EVP/CIO, DuGood Federal Credit Union to discuss how to get the biggest bang for your buck when attending events.PLUS!We discuss how to identify and nurture future leadersWe give tips on how to safeguard sensitive data from AIConnect with UsFollow us on LinkedInVisit our siteSign up for our newsletterCalling all Credit Union Leaders - Do you want to be a guest on Grow Your Credit Union? Visit GrowYourCreditUnion.com to learn more.

The failure of Credit Unions is not a sudden occurrence, but rather a gradual process that starts from the top down. Why aren’t leaders who are ineffective or complacent held unaccountable for their poor performance? It's time we serve our members better by removing those obstacles to credit union growth.In this episode of Grow Your Credit Union, hosts Joshua Barclay and Becky Reed welcome James McBride, CEO of Connects Federal Credit Union to discuss ineffective leadership.PLUS!We go beyond the buzzword “employee experience” by giving specifics on what you can do to give back to your employees.We talk about why “can’t” isn’t a viable excuse for any credit union.Connect with UsFollow us on LinkedInVisit our siteSign up for our newsletterCalling all Credit Union Leaders - Do you want to be a guest on Grow Your Credit Union? Visit GrowYourCreditUnion.com to learn more.

For credit unions with assets under $100 million, women hold 53% of CEO positions. Yet, as we look at larger credit unions, with assets over $100 million, this percentage drops to just 23%. What is the driving force behind this phenomenon, and what can we do to level the playing field?In this episode of Grow Your Credit Union, hosts Joshua Barclay and Becky Reed welcome Linda White, Executive Director, CUWLA  to discuss this very issue. PLUS: We talk about  shifting our resources from frontline to back-of-the-house staff AND those sticky issues that we, as an industry, just can't shake off. Connect with UsFollow us on LinkedInVisit our siteSign up for our newsletterCalling all Credit Union Leaders - Do you want to be a guest on Grow Your Credit Union? Visit GrowYourCreditUnion.com to learn more.

Verifying the identity of your members in digital transactions can be challenging. Fraudsters are becoming increasingly sophisticated and persistent in their methods. What does it take to effectively safeguard your credit union and members from fraud?In this episode of Grow Your Credit Union, hosts Joshua Barclay and Becky Reed welcome Hailey Windham, former Financial Crimes Program Manager at Safe Federal Credit Union to talk about:What drives the massive increase in fraud that credit unions are experiencing.Resources credit unions should invest in to meet the growing demand for real-time payments.Understand whether credit unions truly grasp how money moves through their digital networks.Discovering actions credit unions can take to reduce fraud.Continue your learning journey by pressing play.ResourcesCU Fight Fraud DashboardCredit Unions and DeFi: A Financial RenaissanceConnect with UsFollow us on LinkedInVisit our siteSign up for our newsletterCalling all Credit Union Leaders - Do you want to be a guest on Grow Your Credit Union? Visit GrowYourCreditUnion.com to learn more.

Strong employee retention is a hallmark of a thriving company culture. Fostering transparency, collaboration, and a sense of community can keep staff loyalty strong for decades. How can leaders replicate this success in their own organizations by building more than just a workplace, but a community?In this episode of Grow Your Credit Union, hosts Joshua Barclay and Becky Reed welcome Marji Hughes, EVP/COO, Christian Community Credit Union to talk about:Growing young talent in an age of job hopping.The impact of broadening your membership baseThe perception and impact of leadership developmentHow the mission of your credit union affects employee retention.The fun all starts when you press play.Connect with UsFollow us on LinkedInVisit our siteSign up for our newsletterCalling all Credit Union Leaders - Do you want to be a guest on Grow Your Credit Union? Visit GrowYourCreditUnion.com to learn more.