Advertise on podcast: America's Credit Unions

The credit union movement is preparing for its annual trip to Washington, D.C. The 2024 Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC), scheduled for March 3-7, will look a bit different, however. What can attendees expect from the first GAC under the banner of America’s Credit Unions? A revamped, reenergized feel, according to America’s Credit Unions’ chief association services officer Todd Spiczenski. Spiczenski stopped by the podcast to share all the new features and speakers, and describe the familial, collaborative atmosphere that has made GAC the movement’s banner advocacy event.

Community financial institutions are facing stiff competition. How can they outdo their competitors, navigate the changing financial environment, and bring in new deposits? America’s Credit Unions Digital Media Design Specialist Yeekeng Yang welcomed Kasasa CEO Gabe Krajicek on the podcast to answer these questions and more. They discuss challenges facing credit unions, the importance of adapting to change, how to address liquidity issues, and how Kasasa helps community financial institutions grow core deposits.

Filene Research Institute’s Racial Economic Equity Incubator seeks to address economic disparities and deliver resources, support, and capital to communities of color. Filene Senior Incubation Manager Horacio Garcia-Korosec stops by the podcast to describe the incubator, credit union participants, and the need to address economic disparities. This Black History Month episode also features two credit union advocates: Michigan Credit Union League Director of State Advocacy DaeSean Ashby and First Harvest Credit Union Board Chair Loretta Winters. Ashby shares how he uses his voice to uplift and advocate, while Winters discusses her role as president of the Gloucester County NAACP and her passion for improving communities.

Fresh off its first-ever economic forecast, America’s Credit Unions’ economics team hopped on the podcast to set the stage for 2024. What do they expect this year? Will the U.S. face a recession? What’s happening in lending? How are credit unions’ balance sheets? Dawit Kebede, Curt Long, Ligia Vado, and Mike Schenk answer those questions and more, with their baseline forecast calling for modest economic growth of 1.5% in 2024.

Financial well-being is a hallmark of how credit unions serve their members and communities. In this episode of the podcast, three credit union leaders explain the importance of financial education and how their credit unions improve members’ financial lives. Our financial well-being roundtable hands the microphone to: Chris Wolgamott, director of financial well-being and member experience, $1.9 billion asset Meritrust Credit Union, Wichita, Kan.Cassandre Cassamajor, senior community development representative, $218 million asset SkyPoint Federal Credit Union, Germantown, Md.Autumn Solomon, business development officer, $553 million asset Carolinas Telco Federal Credit Union, Charlotte, N.C.The trio has an open conversation about why credit unions make it their mission to foster financial well-being, why it's an important mission, how their credit unions have made an impact, member stories, and more.

Credit unions are committed to serving the needs of their members. But what happens when those needs and expectations change? Evolving with those changes requires modern technology, according to Jack Henry™ President of Credit Union Solutions Shanon McLachlan, who joined the podcast to discuss how credit unions can reimagine the technology ecosystem.

In this episode of the CUNA News Podcast, associate editor Brock Fritz talks to Colleen Desselle and Rachel Bond about their innovative approaches to marketing and business development. While Desselle and Bond hold different roles, they have at least one thing in common: the Marketing & Business Development Council recognized both with top honors this year. Desselle received the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award, and Bond was named the 2023 Community Impact Professional of the Year.  Desselle shares her family history of credit union service and explains how she’s grown the credit union’s marketing and business development efforts over the years. Bond details her approach to financial education, community outreach, and partnerships.

Women are much more likely to hold the top spot at credit unions than they are at banks, according to “Women in Credit Union Leadership,” a report from CUNA. Two outstanding credit union CEOs join the CUNA News Podcast to talk about women’s leadership: Leigh Brady, CEO at $50 billion asset State Employees Credit Union in Raleigh, N.C.Linda White, executive director at the Credit Union Women’s Leadership Alliance and a former credit union CEO.They speak about their journeys to the CEO chair, challenges they faced, what sets female leaders apart, advice they have for women who aspire to take on leadership roles, and more.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) released a report outlining roughly 50 recommendations for the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) System. One recommendation that’s particularly relevant concerns the types of collateral credit unions can pledge when they borrow from FHLBs, says FHLB Council President/CEO Ryan Donovan, who rejoins the CUNA News Podcast. In this episode, sponsored by the FHLB Council, Donovan outlines the report’s key findings and recommendations, and potential implications for credit unions.

It’s hard to stay ahead of fraudsters. Credit unions can renew their security measures and fraud education, but fraudsters find a way. Envisant President/CEO Libby Calderone joined the CUNA News Podcast to share how the credit union service organization (CUSO) is helping credit unions through the fraud arms race. Calderone and CUNA Digital Media Design Specialist Yeekeng Yang discuss trending fraud attacks, how credit unions can combat them, and more.

Bryan Fox and Nate Rupe see a lot of similarities between their time in the U.S. military and credit unions. The former brigadier general and flight paramedic, respectively, join the CUNA News Podcast to discuss those similarities while sharing stories of their service and how credit unions assist veterans. Rupe, an eight-year Army veteran who is now Advia Credit Union’s talent acquisition partner, describes the credit union as a “financial hospital.” He says the focus on helping people made his 2022 transition to the civilian workforce smooth. Rupe and Advia Manager of Talent Acquisition Kilee Gardner share how the $3 billion asset credit union in Kalamazoo, Mich., has made a concerted effort to smooth this transition for other servicemembers.

What is the Federal Home Loan Bank System? What is the Federal Housing Finance Agency looking for in its review of the system? What will the agency suggest in its impending report? And how can credit union advocacy make a difference? Council of Federal Home Loan Banks President/CEO Ryan Donovan, CUNA’s former chief advocacy officer, rejoins the CUNA News Podcast to answer those questions and more.