We map a fast-moving year for credit unions with Defense Credit Union Council's President and CEO, Anthony Hernandez. From defending the tax exemption to tackling credit card legislation, launching CU Unplugged, and deepening partnerships that deliver real education and value, the focus stays on veterans, member outcomes, and moving faster than the narrative. 

In this episode, we explore:

• Early mobilization to protect the tax exemption, address risks of a 10% credit card rate cap and routing mandates, and pursue regulatory relief in coalition with community banks.
• Continued efforts on liquidity support, CDFI engagement, and extending longer loan terms.
• Strategic partnership with ALM First to scale education, expansion of webinars, and exploration of a potential DCUC rebrand.
• Launch of the "CU Unplugged Unconference" in San Francisco for the activation of DCUC Regional sub councils. 
• Election-year onboarding of new lawmakers using localized credit union stories to build relationships.

Financial leadership requires more than vision—it demands discipline, process, and clarity amid complexity, as Dr. Jamie Ledin explains through her framework of five leadership practices. She shares practical strategies for creating clarity in chaos, having hard conversations quickly, and preparing teams for uncertainty through disciplined leadership.

• Perspective is crucial for financial leaders to cut through noise and focus on what matters most
• Leadership discipline creates freedom, not limitation, by establishing clear processes and accountability
• "Clarity is kindness"—having hard conversations quickly is essential in high-accountability environments
• Leaders should create systems that reduce ambiguity by defining purpose and focused priorities
• Excellence requires focus—teams can achieve 2-3 goals with excellence rather than 12 with mediocrity
• Generational differences require leaders to adapt communication styles while maintaining clarity
• Culture is defined by what the majority of people do most of the time, not what's on the walls

Merger integration represents the most challenging phase for credit unions pursuing strategic partnerships, requiring careful attention to people, processes, systems, and communication strategies to ensure success.

• Credit union mergers require extensive planning beyond the initial agreement 
• Integration typically takes at least six months, even with similar core systems
• Cultural integration proves more challenging than technical integration
• Leaders often struggle to implement "best of both worlds" processes during transition
• Communication needs exceed expectations—consistent, transparent messaging is essential
• Members may complain about changes that didn't actually occur (resistance to change)
• Contact centers face significant challenges during conversion periods
• Project planning with clear phases and milestones is critical to success
• Employee wellbeing must be prioritized to prevent burnout during integration
• Contract management, especially for core processors, requires careful attention
• Documenting the journey through photos helps preserve cultural continuity

If you're considering a merger or currently navigating integration challenges, visit our website for more resources, including our Education Hub, Resource Center, and upcoming webinars. Stay safe, stay healthy, and thank you for listening to In Your Best Interest, an ALM First podcast.

Credit unions face a massive leadership transition as 40% of CEOs retire by 2030, yet only 54% of boards have succession plans in place, creating both challenges and opportunities for reimagining executive leadership.

• Wave of retirements includes not just CEOs but also C-suite leaders and board members creating multi-level leadership turnover
• Internal CEO candidates often lose to external ones because they haven't proactively developed strategic leadership skills
• Responsibility for succession planning falls on boards, current CEOs, and candidates—but ultimately aspiring CEOs must take ownership of their development
• Today's boards seek transformative leaders with clear vision rather than just operational excellence
• Successful candidates demonstrate emotional intelligence, cross-enterprise experience, and strategic thinking
• Assessments help quantify leadership potential while supporting successful onboarding
• Boards should establish clear expectations with current CEOs about transition timelines
• Aspiring CEO candidates should seek mentors, request rigorous feedback, and continuously learn
• The best boards prepare themselves to work effectively with a new generation of credit union leaders

If you're a board member, start by examining your succession planning quarterly. If you're an aspiring CEO, don't wait for others to develop you—seek teachers, mentors, and challenging experiences to build your leadership capabilities.

In celebration of Black History Month, we explore the AACUC Future Fund, a groundbreaking initiative transforming financial inclusion in the credit union movement. Since 1999, the African American Credit Union Coalition has been a pioneering force in fostering diversity and creating lasting positive impacts across communities. Through its four key pillars—internships and leadership development, small credit union sustainability, international cooperation with African financial cooperatives, and community wealth building—the Future Fund ensures sustainable funding for programs that expand access to financial services and create opportunities for future leaders.

This episode features:

• AACUC's historical role in advancing diversity in credit unions
• The strategic vision behind the Future Fund's launch
• How the four pillars drive meaningful change in communities
• Innovative approaches to developing diverse industry leaders
• Strategies for strengthening small credit unions
• International partnerships empowering African cooperatives
• Initiatives for building generational wealth
• Understanding charitable donation accounts as investment vehicles
• Ways credit unions can participate and drive change
• Insights from industry leaders on creating lasting impact

Join us for an inspiring discussion about building pathways to financial inclusion and honoring the legacy of cooperative finance in the Black community.

This episode delves into the current trends and strategic considerations in the credit union merger landscape, highlighting the importance of preparation and adaptability in navigating the evolving M&A environment. The discussion emphasizes the significance of scale, proactive strategies, and understanding regulatory implications for successful future mergers.

• Exploring the increasing trend of larger credit union mergers
• The importance of geographic diversification in expansions
• Understanding regulatory scrutiny and merger approval processes
• The necessity for proactive preparation for merger discussions
• Examining board dynamics and engagement strategies in mergers
• Future projections for merger activity and market consolidation

How can aligning purpose, strategy, and culture propel your organization to new heights? Join us as we chat with Jessica Kriegel, Chief Strategy Officer at Culture Partners, who shares her transformative journey from humble beginnings to the helm of leadership. Jessica reveals her mission to quantify culture through data and the stunning results of her collaboration with Stanford University—organizations that fully align on purpose, strategy, and culture see remarkable revenue growth. Together, we debunk popular myths about corporate culture and discuss practical steps to embed culture into daily actions, creating workplaces that truly win.

Ever wondered how to navigate cultural transformation in a global and remote work environment? Drawing from a compelling case study of Redstone Federal Credit Union, Jessica illustrates how consistent cultural practices and leadership alignment can dismantle internal silos and build trust. Discover how evolving cultural strategies can sustain long-term success and drive significant growth, supported by insights from Stanford research. With real-world examples, Jessica outlines how creating consistent experiences and recognizing desired behaviors can lead to extraordinary organizational results.

Looking ahead to the future of workplace culture, we explore the challenges and opportunities posed by remote work, pay equity, and shifting generational expectations. Understand why some companies are adamant about returning to the office and the growing impact of social media on corporate transparency. We also discuss potential future scenarios, including significant cultural improvements and labor strikes fueled by workforce frustrations. Alongside this, we highlight the resources available through ALM First for financial education, emphasizing the importance of personalized advice and informed decision-making. Tune in for a comprehensive look at driving results with an aligned culture and the evolving landscape of workplace dynamics.

Ready to unlock the secret to impactful charitable giving within the credit union community? Join us for an enlightening conversation with Renée Sattiewhite from the African American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC) and Jason Haley from ALM First. Together, they reveal the innovative AACUC Charitable Donation Account Fund and how it promises to revolutionize support for vital initiatives. Learn firsthand how this fund is designed to sustain impactful programs like internships and leadership development while providing a flexible and efficient avenue for credit unions to contribute to meaningful causes.

Our discussion takes a deep dive into the AACUC's Future Fund and its critical role in the growth and sustainability of small credit unions. Discover how ALM First has crafted a streamlined investment vehicle to facilitate contributions from multiple credit unions, maximizing the impact on the community. We dissect the fund's unique structure and the strategies in place to manage financial risks, ensuring a steady income stream for long-term initiatives. Hear Renée and Jason share their experiences and insights, giving you a personal connection to their mission and the greater credit union movement.

In our final segment, we spotlight the newly launched fund aimed at supporting smaller credit unions, backed by substantial investments from industry giants. Understand the process and importance of contributing to this fund, and the critical role it plays in the future of the credit union industry. We wrap up with heartfelt gratitude and optimism, celebrating the dedication and leadership of Renee and Jason in driving this groundbreaking project forward. Tune in to be inspired and informed about the transformative power of credit union charitable giving!

Welcome to this episode of, In Your Best Interest, an ALM First podcast. Have you ever wondered how financial institutions can stay ahead of uncertainties and manage competitive pressures? Join us as Jessica Coulis and Ben Schexnayder reveal the secrets of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) and its critical role for many institutions. Through personal stories and professional insights, they detail how ERM can break down departmental silos, foster collaboration, and provide a comprehensive view of risks that enhances strategic decision-making. Listen in to understand how a holistic approach to risk management can transform your organization's ability to navigate rapidly changing environments.

Unlock best practices for strategic risk management, with a focus on dynamic risk appetite statements and proactive risk metric monitoring. Jessica and Ben discuss how aligning products and services with an organization's risk-taking philosophy ensures new offerings fit within the company's risk appetite. Additionally, get a deep dive into the challenges of deposit sourcing, loan growth, and FinTech integration, all while emphasizing the significance of creating a robust risk culture. Don't miss this opportunity to learn how a strong ERM program can prevent financial surprises and build resilience in today's volatile market.

Discover the transformative world of credit union securitizations with insights from Travis Goodman, a principal at ALM First. Have you ever wondered how the credit union industry navigates the complexities of securitizations? Today, we're diving into the world of securitizations in credit unions with ALM First Principal Travis Goodman. Travis and his team have assisted with more than half of all public industry securitizations, playing a role in 8 of the 13 such transactions that have occurred since June 2017. 

We'll explore the journey from pioneering issuances to the strategic balancing act between liquidity and profitability. Travis will also provide an insightful commentary of the regulatory landscape that credit unions must navigate to issue asset-backed securities (ABS). You'll learn about the steps required for both federally and state-chartered institutions and the operational shifts needed for success in this space.

Additionally, we'll tackle the critical topic of managing financial transaction risks, especially within the credit stack, the importance of mitigating these risks with thorough preparation. Tune in to gain comprehensive insights into how credit unions can effectively manage risks, build lasting investor relationships, and thrive in the evolving world of securitizations.