Credit Union Nation

So excited to have my long-time friend Victor Corro, CEO of Coopera Consulting, on the podcast (Nov. 2017, best class ever!!). During the episode, Victor shares what's new at his agency, which helps credit unions better understand the demographics of their markets, and shares some important insights about the diversity of not only the U.S., but of the Hispanic population specifically. This important, growing group of people is not a monolith. Also, most speak English! Some great advice and guidance throughout, and a huge thanks to Victor for his expertise as always!

Welcome to Season 2 of Credit Union Nation! The podcast that brings you amazing stories and growth ideas from credit unions across the country. Our season kicks off with Dana Caragine, President/CEO of Princeton FCU, who talks about leveraging community partners, local social media influencers, and a focus on underbanked individuals as key pieces of the credit union's success story. Enjoy this fantastic episode and keep an eye out for more to come!

The Wegner Awards, CUFinHealth, the Development Educator program, CUAid, some of the most important and impactful programs that exist within the credit union movement are run by the National Credit Union Foundation. So I was absolutely thrilled to sit down with the new(ish) head of that organization, none other than the incomparable Lauren Culp to learn about her first 9 months leading the organization. During this conversation we touch on Culp's future plans for the Foundation, her emphasis on increasing the Foundation's roster of talent, the weight of finding the next leader of the DE program, and what it means to her to see the next generation of leaders taking their places atop the industry. It's a great conversation and Lauren always has insightful wisdom to impart! Enjoy!

Helen Mickel is one of the biggest believers in the credit union movement that I know. And under her leadership, Tongass Federal Credit Union in Ketchikan Alaska has grown by leaps and bounds, not only providing traditional financial services to "typical" communities, but also bringing her credit union's services to remote places in her state where they have no other options in banking. Helen truly understands the importance of finding communities and segments of people who have been shut out of traditional financial services, because it's both a surefire way to grow as a financial institution, but it's also something that can make a meaningful impact on the underserved. I greatly enjoyed this conversation with a long-time credit union friend. Please take a listen!

What does Chris Farley and credit unions have in common? More than you think! Thrilled to share the latest episode of Credit Union Nation, featuring Taylor Murray, MBA, CCE, CUDE, president/CEO of ServiStar Consulting and the guy who has put the Umbrella Man back on the map.Taylor has a great credit union story and is a wealth of industry knowledge. What a fun conversation this was, I hope you enjoy!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEf60_qjjWAShow notes:1. Credit Union PHD Workshop: (Hosted virtually each month)a. Details: https://members.servistarconsulting.com/events/credit-union-phd-2/b. Access Code for free registration: CUNation2. Umbrella Man Shop: (All profits go to the Credit Union Museum) a. https://umbrellaman.org/ 3. Contact Info:a. Company Website: https://servistarconsulting.com b. Company LinkedIn:   / servistar-consulting   c. Taylor Murrayi. Phone: 231.709.4442 | Mobile: 847.846.1847ii. Email: [email protected]. LinkedIn:   / taylormurray81  iv. Schedule a time to meet: Calendly.com/ServiStarTaylorhttps://youtu.be/tEf60_qjjWA

I have always been in awe of Gerry Singleton, going way back to November 2017 when we first met during my DE program, when he was the main facilitator with Lois Kitsch. As I mention during the episode, Gerry is a better facilitator than I'll ever be at anything in my life. And so I am very glad we have him in our credit union movement, now leading the state association for credit unions in Montana. Come hear about the innovative way he is leading Montana's Credit Unions, collaborating with other leagues, and even branching out into the cooperative world beyond credit unions. Whenever I get a chance to talk to Gerry I learn something new and feel even more inspired about this amazing credit union movement. Enjoy!

So excited to interview literally one of my favorite people in the credit union movement, Brady Howe, President/CEO of Cutting Edge Credit Union in Milwaukie, Ore. During our discussion, Brady talked about his new mentality as the leader of his organization of saying "Yes!" He also talked about Cutting Edge's fun new marketing campaigns that are sure to resonate. Thanks for joining Brady and enjoy the episode!

Enjoy Part 2 of a wide-ranging conversation that I had with David Murphy, President, Marshfield Medical Center Credit Union. I've known David for just about my entire credit union career, and he has always been such a thoughtful, engaged, and collaborative leader. His podcast "CU at the Top" focuses on leadership and encouraging professionals to strive for those top roles! Journey back to the beginning of my own credit union career during Part 1 of the conversation on David's podcast here: https://mmccu.com/cu-at-the-top-podcast-episode-8-tom-sakash/

I had the pleasure of meeting Rebekah Larson a few years ago as she was just launching her new consulting firm that works to help credit unions with core optimization, compliance, and any other complex project facing credit unions of all sizes. Fast forward a few years and the consultancy is thriving, adding amazing team members, and continuing to help credit unions strengthen their operations and performance. Come learn all about it in this latest episode of the pod!

Just two small credit union guys talking about small credit unions. It was a pleasure welcoming America's Credit Unions' small credit union leader and guru, Rich Mohr, to the Credit Union Nation podcast to catch up on the recent Small CU Conference the organization held in Spokane, and what's on deck for the national trade association's small credit union programming. Always fun to catch up with old friends!

What is it like to sit before Congress and defend your business? Karen Madry knows. Hear the story of her testimony before some of the nation's highest-profile elected officials during this fantastic new episode of Credit Union Nation! We also cover the importance of advocacy overall, how to effectively serve underserved communities, and the importance of telling our story as credit unions.

If the average age of membership for the credit union movement is one of the existential challenges we face, Lori Herrick, president/CEO of Manchester Municipal FCU, has perhaps one of the best solutions with her in-house student loan program. Lori and I talk about her service as an America's Credit Unions Board member, the time we saved small credit unions by convincing NCUA to create a free CECL work sheet, and of course dig into the details of what makes her student loan program so successful. Take a listen!

Take a stroll down memory lane about the early days of the Credit Union Women's Leadership Alliance, a now multi-hundred member organization serving the unique challenges facing female leaders of small credit unions. Lily Newfarmer, president/CEO of Tarrant County's CU, and Linda White, former president/CEO of Upward CU and now the executive director of CUWLA, are forces in the credit union industry. Now they're sharing the leadership skills they've learned throughout their careers with the next generation. It's special to watch for sure, and listen about!

If you know Renee Sattiewhite, president/CEO of the African American Credit Union Coalition, you know she kicks butt (even at throwing small credit union events). Learn what this influential credit union leader has in store for small credit unions -- and the industry overall -- next! I know you'll enjoy this conversation as much as I did!

Tom and Scott talk lessons learned from this year's strategic planning season. Nearly 50 sessions facilitated in 2024!!

Deborah Fears, president/CEO of Chicago Post Office ECU joins the pod to talk work-life balance, credit union influencers, and what she's most excited about for the credit union movement.

Barbara Mojica, executive director, NLCUP, and Freny Palofox-Gil, operations specialist, Modesto's First FCU, join the pod to talk about the recent NLCUP ITIN Lending Workshop hosted at Latino Community FCU.

Jessica Grostic, president/CEO, Copper Basin FCU, joins the pod to share how to do auto loans (but don't ask her how she's averaging 2+% ROA every year).

On the very first episode of Credit Union Nation, Tom Sakash is joined by Teri Robinson to discuss the Herb Wegner Awards, what they mean to her, and of course, lending!