Cuna News Podcast

Becoming a leader, working with people from different backgrounds, and growing up are among the top lessons veterans have taken away from their military service. During the month of November, CUNA News is sharing stories of people in the credit union movement who have served in the military and how those experiences have shaped their credit union careers in A Salute to Veterans, sponsored by FIS. In this episode of the CUNA News Podcast, seven veterans share the lessons they learned in the military that have been useful in their credit unions careers. After listening to the podcast, read more about these veterans’ stories at CUNA News’ A Salute to Veterans.

Of all the tests credit unions have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, the continued threat of phishing has proven to be an insidious and evolving challenge. Fraudsters have leveraged the pandemic environment in many ways in order to target credit union systems and staff. Unfortunately for those attackers, credit unions have a wealth of knowledge, training, and tools that they can use to deter phishing and stay ahead of fraud trends. This episode of the CUNA News Podcast features Mieng Lim, vice president of product management at Digital Defense. Lim outlines the latest phishing trends credit unions should know about, shares strategies for training employees to avoid threats, and explains how phishing attacks may evolve in the future.

Culture will shape the future of financial services for credit unions. That’s according to leaders from Curinos, a leading provider of data, technologies, and insights in the financial industry. This episode of the CUNA News Podcast features four guests from Curinos:Hank Israel, director of innovation and new markets.Chris Ward, director of digital and consulting.Rutger van Faassen, head of product and market strategy.Randy Rosen, vice president of benchmarking and applied analytics. They discuss what the credit union of the future will look like, how cultural digital transformation will affect credit unions, and what credit unions can do to prepare.

Credit Union Rock Stars elevate their credit unions’ voices in many ways. For Tansley Stearns and Kara Yaquinta, the podcast format offered a new and effective channel to reach audiences with messages of community leadership and financial well-being. Stearns, chief people and strategy officer at Canvas Credit Union in Lone Tree, Colorado, collaborated with her team to create the credit union’s podcast, "In the Room with Todd Marksberry." Yaquinta, digital growth strategist at Tropical Financial Credit Union in Miramar, Florida, launched and co-hosts the credit union’s "Get Beyond Money" podcast. In this episode of the CUNA News Podcast, Stearns and Yaquinta explain the steps they took to start their podcasts, the expertise needed to produce engaging episodes, and the feedback they’ve received from listeners. Stearns and Yaquinta are among 31 credit union leaders named as 2021 Credit Union Rock Stars by Credit Union Magazine. Sponsored by Fiserv, the Credit Union Rock Stars program recogniz

The credit union industry has seen extraordinary evolution in the last 18 months. In addition to shifts in technology and member service practices, the branch environment has also undergone significant changes. Credit unions must consider new points of vulnerability as they continue to drive more efficient operational processes. This episode of the CUNA News Podcast features Kevin Mullins, vice president of emerging markets at 3SI. Mullins outlines best practices for preventing crime, protecting front-line employees, and navigating other aspects of physical safety in credit union branches. He also explains how to continue serving member needs in a challenging labor market—and much more. 

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 personal life.  Arnessa Belin, call center supervisor at $28 billion asset BECU in Tukwila, Wash., has found that a career in cooperative financial services allows her to express herself while creating change within her workplace and community.  They’re among 31 credit union leaders named as 2021 Credit Union Rock Stars by Credit Union Magazine. Sponsored by Fiserv, the Credit Union Rock Stars program recognizes outstanding credit union professionals and volunteers from a wide range of disciplines for their exceptional creativity, innovation, and passion. 

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 the CUNA News Podcast, sponsored by Podium, Moss examines how to spur growth through member and loan acquisition, challenges in doing so, how to optimize the member journey, lessons from other industries, and more.

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. In this episode of the CUNA News Podcast, Schmitz and Bruen take us through how they tackled tough times and rejuvenated their credit unions. They’re among 31 credit union leaders named as 2021 Credit Union Rock Stars by Credit Union Magazine. Sponsored by Fiserv, the Credit Union Rock Stars program recognizes outstanding credit union professionals and volunteers from a wide range of disciplines for their exceptional creativity, innovation, and passion.

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 of marketing at CRMNext. Gilbert says that marketing needs to be the communication channel for every function of the credit union to break down siloes between departments and effectively reach members. He also emphasizes the importance of personalization and data, the roles of contact center representatives and tellers in engaging with members, and more.

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 CUNA News Podcast features Carl Robinson, senior vice president of payments at Alacriti. He breaks down the most significant changes the Federal Reserve is making, the actions credit unions should take to prepare, and the benefits to credit unions of updating their payment solutions.

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 Senator David Koehler. As a credit union board member for more than 20 years, Koehler is uniquely positioned to understand the credit union difference. He says his board service provided him with a learning experience he has carried with him as a legislator. Koehler encourages credit unions to forge relationships with lawmakers. He also outlines key information and resources that credit unions should share with legislators in order to advocate effectively.

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 financially, and at least one-third live paycheck –to paycheck. More than 60% of credit union employees struggle financially. PSCU has taken the opportunity to engage its employees in deeper discussions about personal finance and make financial wellness part of its strategic mission. In this episode, Merry Pateuk, senior vice president of industry engagement at PSCU, describes how the company shares this message with the rest of the credit union system and uses its products and services to integrate financial well-being into the payments process. 

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 preservation of a community legacy. Credit unions oftentimes will keep an institution running and preserve that in the marketplace.” Credit unions also gain benefits from these transactions, including expanding geographic footprint, diversification of products, and new potential members. There are also strategic benefits, such as economies of scale and preventing competition, Willard says. In this episode of the CUNA News Podcast, Willard dispels myths and misperceptions about credit unions that bankers often mention. She also discusses the idea of credit unions purchasing bank assets, how often these purchases occur,

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. He also shares tips for putting a plan in place and highlights how credit unions can use practical tools to streamline the process.

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 Credit Unions in Helena.Madry, Teubner, and Kenyon share their thoughts on how the research findings reflect their experiences as female credit union leaders. As the CEO of a small credit union, Madry has a firsthand perspective on why the environment at a small credit union provides leadership opportunities for women. Teubner had experience in the banking industry before joining the credit union movement, allowing her to speak to the differences in leadership opportunities between the two. League CEO Kenyon has a big-picture view of female leadership in credit unions—and on credit union boards—in her state. Listen to a p

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 alliance provider. “However, I think it goes beyond that. It’s really the mashup of words that signify the innovation culture.” Herman says fintech disruptors operate with the mindset of continuous improvement through technology innovation. In this episode of the CUNA News Podcast, sponsored by AdvantEdge Digital, Herman speaks about what qualifies a provider to be called a fintech, what the future of disruption may look like, and how credit unions can prepare today for the challenges of tomorrow.

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 economist and deputy chief advocacy officer for CUNA, and Samira Salem, vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion for CUNA, from May’s Economic Update video. A companion episode featuring discussions with three women in credit union leadership is coming soon.

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 of the CUNA News Podcast features Bolun Li, founder and CEO of Zogo, a CUNA Strategic Services alliance provider. At age 19, Li launched Zogo from his dorm room at Duke University after witnessing the challenges financial institutions face in connecting with students like himself. Li describes the current relationship between Gen Z and credit unions, explains why it’s important for credit unions to prioritize this generation, and shares how credit unions can attract Gen Z members.

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 and we became fare more intentional about how we can deliver against what people need.’” Michelli will address the CUNA CEO Council virtual event, “Through the Leadership Lens Virtual Series: Enhancing Member Experience & Increasing Loyalty,” on Aug. 18. In this episode of the CUNA News Podcast, Michelli examines lessons leaders learned during the pandemic, the importance of self-care, and intentional pivots.

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 relationships with employees. That’s according to Jayne Hitman, national program manager for Creating Member Loyalty (CML), a development strategy program from CUNA focused on increasing employee engagement and the member experience. Coaching is a learnable skill that virtually all managers in an organization can acquire, says Paul Robert, CEO of FI Strategies, a CML strategic partner. At the same time, leaders must be proactive and accountable to make it work.