In this episode of Credit Union Conversations, host Mark Ritter sits down with Gord Baizley, Co-Founder and CEO of Judi.ai, to explore why small business lending remains one of the greatest untapped opportunities for credit unions—and how technology is finally making it scalable.

Gord shares his unique career journey from law and investment banking to leading high-growth technology companies, including Judi.ai, a platform purpose-built to simplify and modernize small business lending. The conversation breaks down why small businesses are consistently underserved by traditional financial institutions despite representing a massive share of the economy—and why credit unions are uniquely positioned to close that gap.

Mark and Gord dive into the cultural, regulatory, and operational barriers that have historically slowed small business lending at credit unions. They discuss how outdated underwriting expectations, CRE-centric credit culture, and manual processes have made small business lending feel complex and costly. Gord explains how predictive AI, real-time cash flow data, and automation are reshaping underwriting—allowing credit unions to treat small business lending more like consumer credit cards than commercial real estate.

The episode also compares U.S. and Canadian banking systems, highlights the importance of executive buy-in, and reinforces why small business owners are “relationship unicorns” for credit unions—bringing deposits, loans, mortgages, and long-term loyalty.

This episode is essential listening for credit union leaders, lenders, and executives looking to grow relationships, diversify loan portfolios, and compete effectively with fintech lenders.

What You Will Learn in This Episode:

✅ Why small business lending should be treated as its own segment, not lumped into consumer or commercial lending.

✅ How predictive AI and real-time cash flow data can dramatically reduce underwriting friction and improve risk management.

✅ What’s holding credit unions back from small business growth, and how to move it higher on the strategic priority list.

✅ Why small business owners are among the most valuable long-term relationships a credit union can build.

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TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Welcome to Credit Union Conversations: Gord Baizley’s career journey: law, finance, and tech

03:05 What Judi.ai does and why small businesses are underserved

04:03 Predictive AI vs. generative AI in lending

06:00 Banking in Canada vs. the U.S.

08:43 Why credit unions focus on CRE instead of small business

09:22 Rethinking risk: small business vs. consumer credit

10:15 Automation, open banking, and real-time cash flow data

13:32 Regulatory shifts supporting cash flow lending

14:33 Ideal credit unions for small business growth

16:45 Treating small business as its own segment

17:27 Why small business owners are “relationship unicorns”

19:10 The biggest barriers to getting started

21:00 Executive buy-in and strategic ownership

23:00 The future outlook for credit unions

25:12 How to connect with Gord and Judi.ai

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

1. Small business lending is a relationship growth engine, not just a loan product.
2. Credit unions often apply the wrong risk lens to small business lending.
3. Technology has removed the biggest historical barriers from small business lending.
4. Credit unions are uniquely positioned to win this market.

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Gord brings a broad range of financial, legal, and operational experience to JUDI.AI. He began his career in investment banking and corporate law. Subsequently, he held executive positions (CFO, CSO and COO) in two of Canada’s fastest-growing technology companies during the past two decades (which reached #1 and #5 on the Deloitte Fast 50 list). Gord enjoys the excitement and challenges that come with hyper-growth, and brings significant experience in scaling technology businesses to the JUDI.AI team, along with financial services expertise that contributes to the company’s product and go-to-market strategies.

Gord has a BA from the University of Western Ontario and an LLB/MBA from the University of British Columbia. He is called to bar in British Columbia and is a CFA charter holder. He previously served on the Board of Directors of the Dr. Peter Aids Foundation, including serving as the chair of the foundation’s development committee.

Gord Baizley - Judi.AI Website

Gord Baizley - LinkedIn

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Mark Ritter - Website

Mark Ritter - LinkedIn

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