Samantha Beeler, President of the League of Credit Unions and Affiliates, joins 22 Minutes in Lending for an unfiltered conversation about the pressures and possibilities facing credit unions today. From board governance to regulatory uncertainty, Samantha shares how credit unions can respond with clarity, collaboration, and confidence—and why “doing business as usual” might just be the greatest form of advocacy.

Highlights:

01:39: What drove the integration of Virginia into the League, the benefits and risks of multi-state leagues, and the economies of scale it offers for not only the league, but the credit unions it serves.

05:09: Discussions around board strength, and director’s understanding as a concern, noting that many directors feel overwhelmed re. cybersecurity, AI, and broader tech trends.

09:02: Recapping the recent NCUA upheaval and what credit unions should expect next in the regulatory environment.

11:54: Whether it makes sense to simplify the regulatory framework and have a single regulator for all financial institutions, citing examples from other countries.

18:49: Advice on how credit unions can navigate the current regulatory environment of rapid change and uncertainty.

Resources:

1. www.the-league.coop The League of Credit Unions and Affiliates

Thanks for listening to the 22 Minutes in Lending podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review to help get the word out about the show and be sure to subscribe so you never miss another insightful conversation.

#CreditUnions #Advocacy #DontTaxMyCreditUnion

Millions of consumers are overpaying on their auto loans, yet few know refinancing is an option. In this episode, Nicholas Goraczkowski, president of iLending, lays out the opportunity for credit unions to boost loan portfolios, improve member financial health, and capture market share in a booming auto refinance space.

Key takeaways:

00.58: Nick explains the primary reasons consumers don't refinance auto loans—lack of awareness and fear based on negative mortgage refinance experiences.

02.52: Insights on the $1.7 trillion auto loan market, and how borrowers seek refinance not just for interest savings, but primarily for payment flexibility.

05.13: Why refinanced auto loans typically outperform indirect auto loans.

06.25: Definition of "back-end" products (loan protection) and how shifting loan-to-value ratios impact approvals and risk management.

09.24: Impact of Federal Reserve interest rate policies on refinance demand, and an overview of the strategic adjustments lenders are making for 2025.

12.13: How credit unions can benefit from fintech partnerships to attract new member segments without cannibalizing existing business.

14.21: Why efficient, accurate retitling processes are crucial to refinancing success and how iLending approaches this.

17.22: Nick’s best practices on transparently selling optional loan protection products, ensuring full regulatory compliance.

21.35: Key factors shaping the auto refinance market, including vehicle values, leasing trends, and the competitive landscape.

Resources Mentioned:

• www.ilendingcarloanrefinancing.com iLending

Thanks for listening to the 22 Minutes in Lending podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review to help get the word out about the show and be sure to subscribe so you never miss another insightful conversation.

#CreditUnions #Fintech #22MinutesInLending #AutoLoans

With relentless technological advances, generational shifts in employment trends, and upended perceptions of “community”, traditional deposit strategies may no longer work for credit unions. In this episode, we speak with Ron Shevlin of Cornerstone Advisors to explore how fintech has paved the way for credit union innovation.

Key takeaways:

00.55: A decade-long annual study skewed overly positive when conducted in December 2024, but uncertainty about the regulatory environment would likely see credit union leaders respond much more cautiously now, just a few months later.

02.55: The biggest myth credit unions tell themselves is that people are their greatest assets–but credit unions live or die through their digital experiences.

03.59: How direct deposit relationships may not be the sticky experience credit unions have traditionally thought–and how fintech have turned that theory on its head through smart market segmentation.

07.02: Gen Z and Millennials are more savvy about investing than their older counterparts were at the same age, and fintech are capitalizing on that emerging market.

09.36: Community banking isn’t dead, but the “community” now means something else; it’s no longer geographically based. Credit unions need to become smarter about how they cater to those niche markets.

13.20: Credit unions have a head start on fintech to secure these markets, because they’re already a known entity with market traction.

14.10: How credit unions could learn from SoFi’s success and elevate their product strategy.

18.30: Digital experience is a credit union’s product.

19.44: Should credit unions be investing directly in fintech, and should their members be concerned if the investments don’t deliver profit?

22.12: Embedded finance isn’t just about fintech; large institutions like Walmart and Gerber have been using embedded finance to capture and retain market share for years.

Resources Mentioned:

• www.robinhood.com Robin Hood
• www.chime.com Chime
• panaceafinancial.com Panacea
• www.hustlfinancial.com Vantage West’s Hustl
• www.sofi.com SoFi
• www.curql.com Curql
• www.trustage.com/ventures TruStage Ventures

Thanks for listening to the 22 Minutes in Lending podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review to help get the word out about the show and be sure to subscribe so you never miss another insightful conversation.

#CreditUnions #Fintech #Lending #GrowthStrategies