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In this quarterly roundtable episode of With Flying Colors, Mark Treichel is joined by former NCUA executives Dennis Bauer, Steve Farrar, and Todd Miller to break down the NCUA Q3 2025 Quarterly Credit Union Data Summary.

The discussion highlights a key theme: the credit union system is gradually returning to a more normal operating environment after years of rate shocks, pandemic liquidity, and balance-sheet distortion.

Key topics include improving net interest margins, rising non-interest expenses, and why ROA gains lag margin recovery. The panel examines growing pressure in auto and credit card portfolios, increased repossessions, and what delinquency trends suggest heading into 2026. They also explore liquidity stabilization, shifts in share mix, and renewed investment risk-taking as some credit unions bet on future rate cuts.

Additional insights include CAMEL rating trends, HELOC utilization growth, differences between credit union and community bank performance, and what examiner behavior may look like amid NCUA staffing constraints.

This episode is designed for credit union executives, board members, and risk leaders looking for plain-English interpretation of regulatory data—without spin or hype.

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NCUA has launched a new Deregulation and Simplification Project, signaling a shift toward clearer, more flexible rules—without weakening safety and soundness.

In this episode of With Flying Colors, Mark Treichel breaks down the four proposed regulatory changes released by NCUA and explains what they mean in practice for credit unions, boards, and exam preparation.

Rather than a wholesale rewrite, this package focuses on clarity, structure, and regulatory housekeeping—especially around audits, corporate credit union governance, and cybersecurity guidance.

Key topics covered:

• Updates to Supervisory Committee audit rules (Part 715)
• Technical and governance clarifications for corporate credit unions
• Why cybersecurity guidance is moving out of regulation and into Letters to Credit Unions
• What’s not changing—despite the headlines
• How this project fits into broader NCUA budget and structural discussions

Mark also shares perspective on why moving guidance out of the CFR matters—and what credit unions should (and shouldn’t) do next.

More regulatory developments are coming fast, including NCUA’s upcoming board meeting and budget discussions. Stay tuned.

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In this episode of With Flying Colors, Mark Treichel speaks with Dan Prezioso, Partner at Olden Lane, about the demographic shift reshaping credit unions and why deposit competition is entering a new era.

Dan shares data and insights from multiple national surveys, macro trends, and firsthand M&A activity, including:

• Why strategic mergers are already breaking NCUA approval records in 2025
• The shrinking role of baby boomers as depositors, borrowers, and primary financial institution users
• Why Gen Z and millennials are saving more — but choosing Robinhood, Coinbase, and SoFi over traditional credit unions
• The alarming statistic that 37% of Gen Z credit union members are likely to switch institutions in the next 12 months
• “Real” deposit growth vs. nominal growth, and why rising OPEX may force additional consolidation
• The engagement deficit: younger members don’t think of credit unions as their everyday financial partner
• What credit unions can do right now to stay relevant in the next decade

Dan also highlights examples of institutions that are getting it right — from fractional real estate investing to budgeting tools and crypto-enabled debit cards — and explains what boards should be asking their CEOs in 2026 strategic planning.

📩 Connect with Dan: [email protected]

🔗 Olden Lane: [email protected]

🎧 Listen now and subscribe for future episodes of With Flying Colors.

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Episode Summary

In this archive episode of With Flying Colors, Mark sits down with Todd Miller — longtime NCUA expert, former Director of Special Actions, and member of the CU Exam Solutions team — to break down one of the most misunderstood and under-optimized tools in credit union governance: the board package.

Boards get in trouble not because they don’t care, Todd explains, but because they are often misinformed, overwhelmed, or kept in the dark. A well-designed board package solves that — if it’s built with the right mix of clarity, consistency, and candor.

Todd explains:

• What high-performing board packages include
• Why “size and complexity” shape reporting expectations
• The danger of data dumps, inconsistent formatting, and detail overload
• How to pair dashboards with strong qualitative narratives
• The one question every executive should answer in their reports
• Why peer comparisons matter
• How risk appetite, strategic plans, and deviation explanations must tie together
• Real-world stories from troubled and well-run credit unions
• How to avoid examiner criticism by aligning reporting with actual risk

This episode is full of practical actions your board and leadership team can apply immediately.

Key Themes & Takeaways

1. Great Board Packages Balance Qualitative + Quantitative Reporting

Todd outlines a simple principle:
 Board reports should demonstrate management’s compliance with the business plan, board policies, and the credit union’s risk appetite. 

transcript Board Packages Todd …

Boards need both data and narrative to understand where the credit union is, how it got there, and where it’s going.

2. Consistency Builds Board Trust

From formatting to color-coding to dashboards, consistency helps directors quickly understand risk without getting bogged down.

Inconsistent layouts or disorganized reporting create confusion and can lead to micromanagement or oversight failures.

3. Avoid the “Data Dump” Trap

Todd highlights that many troubled credit unions had mountains of data… but no clarity.
 Board packets that keep expanding over time—without periodic pruning—bury critical insights.

Annual reviews of what stays, what goes, and how information is summarized are essential.

4. Dashboards Are Critical — But Must Be Thoughtfully Built

Dashboards should show:

• Where the CU has been
• Where it is now
• Where it’s trending next

They must also be paired with narrative analysis to flag:

• Variances
• Deviations from strategic/annual plans
• New risks
• New opportunities

5. The Biggest Blind Spot: Credit Risk Reporting

Credit risk is the No. 1 cause of failures.
 Todd explains how to reduce hundreds of pages into 2–3 meaningful pages with:

• Risk migration visuals
• LTV + credit score overlays
• Portfolio trends
• Business loan concentration & large-borrower exposure

6. Committees Create Risk — and Reporting Obligations

ALCO, lending, IT, risk committees…
 Boards need visibility but not minutiae.

Todd walks through how well-run credit unions:

• Summarize committee output
• Elevate red flags
• Keep the board focused on strategy, not operations

7. Real-World Stories—The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Todd shares examples of:

• 39 unprofitable branches hidden in an overly detailed packet
• Boards blindsided by marijuana banking risk and resulting fines
• A $4 million depositor walking out because the board lacked context

These stories underscore the need for transparency, context, and prioritization.

Why This Matters

A strong board package:

• Improves governance
• Enhances regulator confidence
• Prevents surprises
• Supports faster, cleaner exams
• Keeps boards strategic
• Helps management demonstrate competence and control

This episode is a must-listen for CEOs, CFOs, lending executives, and directors looking to elevate their governance culture.

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Overview
In this episode, we break down the fundamentals of risk management for credit unions — what it really means, why it matters at every asset size, and how boards and executives can build a resilient framework that supports safe, sustainable growth. 

blog risk appetite

What We Cover

• The Three Pillars of Risk Management
  • Risk Culture — how tone from the top determines effectiveness.
  • Risk Appetite — defining how much risk is acceptable before strategy becomes unsafe.
  • Risk Management System — the controls, processes, and oversight that put culture and appetite into action. 

    blog risk appetite

• Why Size Matters — and Doesn’t
  • Practical guidance for smaller credit unions: clear limits, strong oversight, and effective supervisory committees.
  • What larger credit unions need: formal risk appetite statements, risk departments, and comprehensive reporting frameworks. 

    blog risk appetite

• Common Pitfalls
  • The “capital trap”—why even strong net worth can’t compensate for unmanaged concentration risk (e.g., taxi medallion credit unions).
  • Siloed risk decisions.
  • Hoping limit breaches “self-correct.” 

    blog risk appetite

• Best Practices for a Strong Framework
  • Align appetite with capital and strategy.
  • Use clear metrics to monitor risk.
  • Establish formal limit-breach processes.
  • Encourage staff to raise risk concerns without hesitation.
  • Maintain strong documentation and communication. 

    blog risk appetite

Key Takeaway
Risk management isn’t about eliminating risk — it’s about managing it in a way that protects members while enabling growth. A clear culture, aligned risk appetite, and well-designed system create the foundation for long-term success. 

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This week on With Flying Colors, I’m joined by three longtime colleagues from my days at NCUA — John McKechnie, Alonzo Swann, and Geoff Bacino — for a lively roundtable on where the agency stands today, what’s working, and what’s at risk.

Together, we revisit our shared time inside NCUA and discuss how leadership, budgets, and supervision are evolving in 2025 and beyond. From one-member boards and budget cuts to liquidity lifelines and affordable housing, this episode brings together decades of experience and unfiltered perspective.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What it means for NCUA to operate with only one sitting board member
• The implications of budget reductions and staff shortages on examinations
• How Federal Home Loan Banks have become vital liquidity partners for credit unions
• Why onsite contact and examiner familiarity still matter
• The Supreme Court and DOJ developments shaping NCUA’s legal authority
• The value of compromise and balanced governance inside NCUA
• The political landscape heading into the next election cycle — and what it may mean for credit unions

You’ll hear candid insights, historical context, and even a few friendly football rivalries — the kind of inside conversation that only veterans of the agency can have.

🎙️ Guests

• John McKechnie – Former NCUA Director of Public and Congressional Affairs; consultant to the credit union and housing industries
• Alonzo Swann – Former NCUA Regional Director; Credit Union Strategist at the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta
• Geoff Bacino – Former NCUA Board Member; former Federal Housing Finance Board Member; association executive and industry advocate

🔗 Connect & Learn More

Visit MarkTreichel.com/podcast
for past episodes, transcripts, and consulting resources.

Follow Mark on LinkedIn for weekly updates: linkedin.com/in/marktreichel

Sponsored by Credit Union Exam Solutions — helping credit unions save time and money when working with NCUA.

This is a special Archive Thursday episode of With Flying Colors. In this conversation with Steve Farrar and Todd Miller, we explore what it really means when a credit union is downgraded to a CAMEL Code 4.

We discuss the implications for NCUA supervision, administrative actions, and how examiners begin building a formal record. You’ll learn about the added burden of frequent exams, the role of letters of understanding and agreements, and how Code 4 status impacts liquidity options, board responsibilities, and long-term viability.

Packed with hard-earned insights from decades inside NCUA, this archive episode helps credit unions understand both the risks and the pathways to recovery when facing a Code 4 downgrade

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In this episode of With Flying Colors, Mark Treichel sits down with David Reed of Reed & Jolly to dive deep into the NCUA’s new succession planning rule and what it means for credit unions across the country.

Too often, boards and executives focus on writing a policy—but not on the real-world practice of finding and preparing leaders for the future. David explains why succession planning can’t stop with “golden handcuffs” or executive retention packages and why the real challenge is board and volunteer succession.

Key Topics Covered

• The January 2026 effective date of the NCUA succession planning rule
• Why smaller credit unions face unique challenges when CEOs retire or leave suddenly
• The risks of relying only on the “hit by a bus” plan for executive succession
• Board succession struggles: aging volunteers, shrinking social networks, and limited recruitment pools
• The role of advisory boards, director emeritus programs, and board expansion in keeping knowledge while bringing in fresh voices
• The importance of diversity of thought—beyond demographics—to strengthen governance
• Practical tips for creating a process to identify, recruit, and onboard new volunteers
• How nominations policies and ongoing outreach can build a pipeline of future board members

David also shares stories from his work with credit unions nationwide, highlighting what works, what doesn’t, and how to avoid common pitfalls.

Why Listen?

If you’re a credit union leader, board member, or volunteer, this episode offers realistic, actionable advice on turning succession planning from a compliance checklist into a strategic advantage.

📧 To reach David Reed: [email protected]

In this archive episode of With Flying Colors, host Mark Treichel welcomes Vin Vitton, retired NCUA Senior Credit Specialist and longtime commercial banker, for an insightful discussion on credit culture—what it is, why it matters, and how it shapes a credit union’s lending success.

Vin draws on his unique experience working on all three sides of the desk—as a lender, borrower, and regulator—to explain how a strong credit culture begins with board values, flows through management, and guides every credit decision. Together, Mark and Vin unpack key takeaways including:

• The definition and purpose of credit culture within a credit union.
• How board values and management philosophy shape consistent lending practices.
• The importance of reading regulatory preambles to understand NCUA’s intent.
• Why every policy, system, and training program should reinforce a consistent credit approach.
• How examiners and credit unions can align on “the art” of evaluating risk rather than relying on “paint-by-number” regulation.
• The role of appropriate structuring, documentation, and open dialogue with examiners.

Whether you’re a CEO, board member, or senior lender, this episode provides valuable insight into balancing safe and sound lending with member-focused service.

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In this solo episode, Mark Treichel breaks down a hot topic out of Washington: a Senate proposal to raise FDIC deposit insurance coverage from $250,000 to $10 million. Backed by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Senator Elizabeth Warren, the idea is gaining traction — but what would it mean for credit unions?

Mark explores:

• Why big banks are fighting the proposal — and why they might have a point
• How a $10 million FDIC cap could drain the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF)
• The political ripple effects for NCUA premiums and restoration plans
• Why credit unions risk losing business accounts if insurance coverage doesn’t keep pace with banks
• Alternatives, like inflation-based adjustments, that could make more sense than a massive jump

In the end, Mark explains why raising the cap might look like protection, but could really be lipstick on a pig for credit unions and their members.