Credit Union Conversations

What do the latest business lending trends reveal about the health of the credit union industry? Business loan volume and deposits are growing, but rising delinquencies, regulatory uncertainty, and third-party vendor risk demand closer attention from credit union leaders.In this solo episode of Credit Union Conversations, Mark Ritter shares his perspective on the current state of credit union business lending. He examines the growth in commercial loan volume, larger average loan sizes, increased participation activity, and the rise in business deposits.Mark also discusses why credit unions should prepare for higher delinquencies without panicking, how incoming leaders can introduce change while respecting an organization’s history, and why collaboration remains essential to the credit union movement. He closes with his thoughts on NCUA leadership, vendor oversight, cybersecurity, and the long-term impact of the TruStage cyber incident.What You’ll Learn✅ Why credit union business lending volume has increased significantly year over year✅ What rising commercial loan delinquencies and charge-offs mean for lenders✅ How new leaders can introduce change without abandoning credit union values✅ Why third-party vendor oversight and cybersecurity standards may face greater scrutinyTimestamps(00:00) Credit Union Business Lending Trends, NCUA Concerns and Vendor Risk(01:05) How MBFS supports credit union business lending(03:38) Credit union business lending growth and larger loan sizes(05:51) Participation loans, portfolio diversification, and demand(06:25) Rising commercial loan delinquencies and charge-offs(08:17) The growth of business deposit relationships(09:28) Leadership lessons from college football(12:00) Balancing organizational change with institutional history(15:49) Why credit union collaboration is declining(17:18) NCUA leadership and the need for a three-person board(19:45) Vendor due diligence and cybersecurity concerns(21:44) Mark’s response to the TruStage cyber incident(24:14) Regulatory consequences and industry accountabilityKey Takeaways🔹 Credit unions funded nearly $24 billion in business loans during the first half of the year, representing an increase of almost 18% year over year.🔹 Commercial loan delinquencies are rising across the industry, but challenges within a normal business cycle should be managed through preparation and strong portfolio oversight, not panic.🔹 Leadership changes and mergers are more successful when new ideas are balanced with respect for an organization’s history, people, and cooperative values.🔹 The TruStage cyber incident could lead to lasting changes in third-party vendor oversight, cybersecurity expectations, and regulatory requirements for credit unions.RESOURCES MENTIONED:MBFS:https://www.mbfs.org/Mark Ritter - Website:https://markritter.com/Mark Ritter - LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/markrittermbfs

Is this episode with Kirk Drake real or AI-generated? It is real, but the conversation reveals how quickly artificial intelligence is transforming credit unions, CUSOs, fintech partnerships, business lending, and the future of work.Kirk Drake, founder and CEO of CU 2.0, joins Credit Union Conversations host and MBFS CEO Mark Ritter to discuss how credit unions can move beyond experimenting with ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Claude, and other AI tools to become truly AI-first organizations.Kirk explains why artificial intelligence has advanced faster than expected, while many organizations have been slower to rethink their workflows and business models. He shares practical examples of how credit unions are using AI to analyze data, automate subpoena requests, monitor obituaries, improve internal processes, strengthen cybersecurity, and complete projects that once required months of work in only days or weeks.Mark and Kirk also discuss how credit unions can identify credible AI partners, why financial services experience still matters, and how AI could change jobs without eliminating the need for people. Rather than replacing entire teams, AI can help employees become more productive, develop specialized expertise, and pursue opportunities that were previously too expensive or time-consuming.WHAT YOU WILL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:✅ How credit unions can move from experimenting with AI to becoming AI-first organizations✅ Which credit union workflows can be improved through AI agents and automation✅ How to evaluate AI consultants, vendors, and fintech partners✅ Why experienced employees and subject matter experts will remain valuable in an AI-driven workplace✅ How AI could reshape credit union jobs, productivity, member service, and business growthSubscribe to Credit Union Conversations for insights on credit union leadership, AI, fintech, and business lending. Connect with MBFS to explore lending support and growth solutions.TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Mark introduces Kirk Drake of CU 2.0(01:06) Kirk’s journey from credit union technology to AI entrepreneurship(03:44) How to evaluate fintech ideas and credit union business opportunities(07:24) Why solving a problem for 20 credit unions can create a viable business(08:27) How quickly artificial intelligence has evolved since ChatGPT launched(11:04) How Microsoft Copilot and AI tools are changing Mark’s daily work(13:07) How CU 2.0 is helping MBFS and credit unions become AI-first(17:22) Real-world credit union AI applications and workflow automation(20:15) How credit unions can evaluate AI vendors and consultants(24:03) Why strong AI partners experiment, build, test, and understand financial services(27:53) Separating useful artificial intelligence from AI slop and fearmongering(29:43) How AI could transform jobs without eliminating the workforce(34:38) Why small time savings can create significant long-term economic value(36:02) How demographics, automation, and robotics could shape the future of work(38:06) How to connect with Kirk Drake and CU 2.0KEY TAKEAWAYS:💎 Becoming AI-first requires more than giving employees access to ChatGPT or Copilot. Leadership teams must learn how to ask better questions, rethink workflows, and apply AI across the organization.💎 Artificial intelligence can automate repetitive credit union tasks, including document collection, data analysis, compliance research, workflow monitoring, and internal reporting.💎 The best AI partners understand credit unions, financial services technology, regulatory examinations, data security, and the operational realities behind lending and member service.💎 AI is more likely to change jobs than eliminate work entirely. Employees can use it to become more productive, develop deeper expertise, enter new markets, and solve problems that were previously too expensive or time-consuming.ABOUT THE GUEST:Kirk Drake is the founder and CEO of CU 2.0, a consultancy helping credit unions, CUSOs, and fintech companies navigate artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and technology partnerships. With nearly 30 years of experience in credit unions and financial technology, Kirk has founded multiple credit union-focused businesses and helped launch more than 150 fintech companies. He is also the author of Credit Union 2.0: A Guide for Credit Unions Competing in the Digital Age and FinAncIal: Helping Financial Services Executives Prepare for an Artificial World.Kirk Drake - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirkdrakeiiiCU 2.0: https://cu-2.com/RESOURCES MENTIONED:MBFS: https://www.mbfs.org/Mark Ritter - Website: https://markritter.com/Mark Ritter - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markrittermbfsCredit Union Conversations, Mark Ritter, Kirk Drake, CU 2.0, MBFS, artificial intelligence, AI for credit unions, credit union AI, credit union technology, AI workflow automation, AI agents, credit union digital transformation, ChatGPT for credit unions, Microsoft Copilot, Claude AI, fintech partnerships, CUSO technology, credit union innovation, financial services AI, AI governance, credit union cybersecurity, credit union efficiency, credit union leadership, future of work, AI productivity, credit union fintech

Why do 77% of borrowers say loan payment protection provides meaningful financial security, while only 22% have purchased it? According to Alexia Johnson of Securian Financial, the biggest barrier is not a lack of need. It is a lack of trust, understanding, and relevant education during the lending process.Alexia joins Credit Union Conversations host and MBFS CEO Mark Ritter to discuss Securian Financial’s 2026 lending environment study and what it reveals about consumer finances and borrower financial wellness. As rising costs push consumers from trying to get ahead to simply staying afloat, payment protection can help cover loan payments or balances following an unexpected job loss, disability, or death. Yet many borrowers remain skeptical and view protection products as an added sales tactic or junk fee.Mark and Alexia explain how credit unions can close the borrower trust gap by introducing loan payment protection earlier, sharing real-life examples, asking better questions, and tailoring the conversation to each member’s stage of life. They also explore why digital lending still needs a human touch and how financial education can strengthen member relationships while helping borrowers prepare for the unexpected.WHAT YOU WILL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:✅ What loan payment protection is and how it can help following job loss, disability, or death✅ Why borrowers recognize the value of payment protection but often choose not to purchase it✅ How credit unions can build borrower trust through education, transparency, and real-life examples✅ How to introduce payment protection earlier without making it feel like an added fee✅ Why digital lending experiences still need personalized conversations and human supportSubscribe to Credit Union Conversations for insights on credit union leadership, AI, fintech, and business lending. Connect with MBFS to explore lending support and growth solutions.TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Mark introduces Alexia Johnson of Securian Financial(02:32) Alexia’s financial services background and work with credit union partners(03:10) How Securian Financial supports families, consumers, and financial institutions(04:16) What loan payment protection is and how Securian’s lending study works(06:54) Why borrowers have shifted from getting ahead to staying afloat(08:58) The gap between payment protection’s perceived value and actual adoption(10:24) Why skepticism and distrust keep borrowers from purchasing protection(13:15) How real-life examples can make payment protection relevant to members(16:04) Why payment protection should be discussed earlier in the lending process(18:14) Preserving education and human connection in digital lending(19:46) Tailoring payment protection conversations across generations and life stages(20:40) How credit unions can increase trust, education, and product participationKEY TAKEAWAYS:💎 Borrowers are financially vulnerable. Half of borrowers with active loans could continue making payments for only three months or less after losing their income.💎 The payment protection gap is rooted in trust. Many borrowers value the product but question whether it truly benefits them or simply generates revenue for the lender.💎 Credit unions should introduce payment protection early, explain it clearly, and connect it to realistic situations rather than treating it as a final yes-or-no checkbox.💎 A hybrid approach works best. Credit unions should provide digital resources for independent research and knowledgeable employees who can answer personal questions.ABOUT THE GUEST:Alexia Johnson is the Partner Development Leader for Affinity Solutions-U.S. at Securian Financial, supporting the company’s credit union partners and accounts. She has more than 20 years of financial services experience, including 14 years with Securian Financial. Her leadership experience spans account management, marketing, operations, client partnerships, and customer success. Alexia’s work focuses on building strong relationships and helping individuals and organizations succeed.Alexia Johnson – LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexia-johnson-22555b11Securian Financial:https://www.securian.com/RESOURCES MENTIONED:Mark Ritter – Website:https://markritter.com/Mark Ritter – LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/markrittermbfsCredit Union Conversations, Mark Ritter, Alexia Johnson, Securian Financial, MBFS, state of the consumer, consumer financial wellness, loan payment protection, debt protection, credit insurance, borrower trust, borrower financial wellness, credit union member education, credit union lending, consumer lending, loan protection products, income disruption, job loss protection, disability protection, digital lending, member experience, financial security, financial preparedness, credit union leadership, borrower education, lending strategy

How can credit unions use AI and digital lending tools without losing the human relationships that set them apart? Al Gregory, Chief Lending Officer at Securityplus Federal Credit Union, joins Mark Ritter to explain why technology should support, not replace, experienced judgment in commercial lending.Al shares his path from bank teller to CUSO CEO and credit union lending executive, along with the lessons that shaped his approach to member business lending, credit administration, and strategic partnerships. Mark and Al discuss how a mid-sized credit union can compete in a major market through community investment, local relationships, and service that creates measurable value for members. They also explore AI in loan underwriting, the future of office commercial real estate, changing borrower expectations, and the responsibility credit union leaders carry when lending members' money.What You Will Learn in This Episode:✅How Al Gregory progressed from bank teller to CUSO CEO and Chief Lending Officer✅How CUSO experience can strengthen credit union partnerships, governance, underwriting, and member business lending✅How credit unions can balance digital lending efficiency with personal service and experienced credit judgment✅Why community investment helps a mid-sized credit union compete in a crowded metropolitan market✅How AI, office commercial real estate, and changing borrower expectations may shape the lending marketSubscribe to Credit Union Conversations for practical insights on credit union leadership, commercial lending, loan growth, and member business lending. Connect with MBFS to explore business lending support, loan servicing, back-office solutions, and credit union partnerships.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Mark introduces Al Gregory of Securityplus Federal Credit Union02:55 Al's career journey from bank teller to credit union Chief Lending Officer06:03 The history, membership, and growth of Securityplus Federal Credit Union09:29 How borrower expectations and communication have changed across generations16:02 How leading a CUSO shaped Al's approach to credit union partnerships and commercial lending18:31 Balancing digital lending, AI, personal service, and responsible credit decisions21:16 How community investment helps Securityplus compete in the Baltimore market24:05 How technology and agentic AI are changing the Chief Lending Officer role25:29 Al's outlook for office commercial real estate, AI governance, and the lending marketKEY TAKEAWAYS:💎Technology can speed up lending, but experienced people must still understand the borrower, the deal, and the source of members' funds.💎CUSO leadership experience gives credit union executives valuable insight into governance, collaboration, underwriting, and credit administration.💎Local visibility is built by showing up through homeownership education, redevelopment projects, and community-focused lending, not only through large advertising buys.💎Credit unions can use AI as a powerful tool, but they remain accountable for every policy, decision, and outcome produced with it.ABOUT THE GUEST:Al Gregory is the Chief Lending Officer at Securityplus Federal Credit Union, where he leads consumer, commercial, mortgage, and indirect lending strategies. With nearly 30 years of banking and credit union experience, Al has served as a CUSO CEO and credit union executive, helping financial institutions strengthen lending programs, improve operations, and expand opportunities for members.Al Gregory - LinkedInSecurityplus Federal Credit Union - WebsiteRESOURCES MENTIONED: Mark Ritter - WebsiteMark Ritter - LinkedIn

This one starts as a lending podcast and ends as a full-blown rock history lesson. After Ed Marra briefly recaps his professional start in paralegal studies and early commercial lending work, Mark Ritter lets him run with his true passion, classic rock, growing up on The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and Johnny Cash, then building a career performing Buddy Holly tributes with the blessing of Buddy Holly's own widow. Ed even jammed live with The Crickets and played The Cavern Club in Liverpool. The two dig into why radio consolidation has made it nearly impossible to find new rock bands today.What You Will Learn in This Episode: ✅ How Ed Marra's start in paralegal studies led him into a career in commercial lending✅ How classic rock and rockabilly shaped Ed's early guitar influences growing up✅ What it took to get official rights for Buddy Holly Tribute performances from Holly's widow✅ Why radio consolidation and record labels favor formula over inventive new rock acts✅ How touring revenue, not record sales, always paid classic rock musicians the mostSubscribe to Credit Union Conversations for the latest credit union trends and insights on loan volume and business lending! Connect with MBFS to boost your credit union’s growth today.TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Mark introduces MBFS team member and guest Ed Marra(01:08) Ed recaps his professional start in paralegal studies and computer software work(07:35) Mark asks what makes a commercial lending closing smooth versus going off the rails(10:27) The conversation shifts entirely into classic rock music and Ed's guitar influences(13:09) Ed shares how he began performing Buddy Holly tribute shows and met Holly's widow(18:13) Why radio consolidation and formula-driven record labels hurt new rock bands(24:46) How touring revenue always mattered more than record sales for classic rock artistsKEY TAKEAWAYS: 💎 Independent Radio Stations used to champion raw, unpolished rock before big networks took over💎 Ed personally negotiated with Buddy Holly's estate and spoke with Holly's widow for over an hour💎 Acts like Chuck Berry and Little Richard relied on touring, not records, actually to get paidABOUT THE GUEST:Ed Marra - LinkedInRESOURCES MENTIONED: Mark Ritter - WebsiteMark Ritter - LinkedInKeywords:Credit Union Conversations, Mark Ritter, MBFS, Credit Unions, CUSO, Classic Rock Music, Rockabilly, Americana, Buddy Holly Tribute, The Crickets, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Radio Consolidation, Record Labels, Touring Revenue, Independent Radio Stations, Chuck Berry