AI in lending is no longer a future conversation. It is operational today.

In Episode 185 of Leaders in Lending, we discuss what is actually working in regulated environments. From underwriting and fraud detection to document verification and exception handling, AI is becoming more measurable and more embedded in daily workflows. We also examine fairness, human oversight and the competitive pressure from buy now, pay later products.

The divide is growing between institutions leaning in and those standing still.

#LeadersInLending #AIinBanking #CreditUnions #BankingLeadership #Fintech #LendingStrategy

In this episode of Leaders in Lending, Adam Landsverk, Chief Lending Officer at FOXCU, joins host Barry Roach to discuss leadership, responsibility, and what it really means to serve members in today’s lending environment.

With decades of experience across consumer lending, mortgage, commercial banking, and wealth management, Adam shares his journey from traditional banking into the credit union space — and why that transition reshaped how he thinks about decision-making, diversification, and community impact. 

The conversation explores how credit unions differ from large financial institutions, why local autonomy matters, and how lending leaders can balance growth, risk, and member value. Adam also shares insights on housing market conditions, home equity demand, and what community-based lenders should be preparing for as we move through 2026. In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Adam Landsverk’s path from banking to credit unions
• The role of a Chief Lending Officer in local decision-making
• How credit unions approach diversification across lending products
• Housing market trends and home equity opportunities
• Balancing economics with member value
• Leadership lessons for community-based lenders

This episode of Leaders in Lending offers a thoughtful, experience-driven perspective on why community-focused lenders continue to succeed where scale alone falls short.

🎧 Leaders in Lending features conversations with executives shaping the future of lending, banking, and credit unions.

In this special year-end edition of Leaders in Lending, Drew Megrey, Barry Roach, and Lynn Sautter Beal reflect on the most impactful conversations from 2025. As lending leaders navigated a year defined by uncertainty, rapid technological change, and evolving regulatory landscapes, this episode revisits the insights that shaped the industry. From credit risk strategy and AI model governance to new member engagement and the future of servicing, hear the best moments from standout episodes featuring voices across the financial ecosystem. Whether you're planning for 2026 or looking back on lessons learned, this compilation captures the defining themes of the year in lending.

In this episode of Leaders in Lending, host Barry Roach sits down with Lisa Highley, Chief Lending Officer at the University of Kentucky Federal Credit Union, for a candid conversation about what truly separates managing from leading in today’s lending environment. Highley shares her unconventional rise from part-time teller to executive leader and recalls the moment she realized that operational skill and technical expertise do not automatically translate into effective leadership.

The discussion also highlights UKFCU’s period of rapid transformation, including the launch of a mortgage department, the expansion of commercial lending, major investments in digital channels, and the use of AI-driven underwriting technology to serve members more effectively. Barry and Highley explore servant leadership, building trust across lending teams, and how credit union leaders can prepare their organizations for the future while maintaining a strong focus on culture, accountability and the member experience.

Managing $10 billion in loans teaches you a lot about what truly drives repayment and performance. In this episode of Leaders in Lending, host Lynn Sautter Beal sits down with Jesse Obbink, vice president and general manager of servicing at Upstart, to break down the operational, analytical and human insights that matter most once a loan is on the books.

Jesse shares why servicing is “underwriting with an operational twist,” how data and machine learning help shape borrower outcomes and why empathy often outperforms traditional collections tactics. They also discuss what scale unlocks, how to manage dozens of vendor relationships effectively and how LLMs are transforming frontline agent workflows.

Whether you lead a credit union, bank or fintech, this conversation reframes servicing as a strategic lever for reducing losses, improving repayment and strengthening long-term performance.

The economy is shifting fast, and your lending strategy cannot afford to lag. In this episode of Leaders in Lending, hosts Barry Roach and Drew Megrey explore how scenario planning helps financial leaders stay ahead of market volatility.

Learn how top executives are navigating uncertainty, managing technology risks such as AI and cybersecurity, and making bold decisions that could define 2026. Whether you are a credit union executive, bank leader or fintech strategist, this episode offers insights to build resilience and growth.

The lending landscape is changing. Do not just react to it. Plan to win.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Why scenario planning is the most important skill for 2026
• How smart leaders use AI tools to forecast, mitigate risk and act faster
• What is really happening with consumer behavior and spending patterns
• How rising delinquencies and tightening credit standards are shaping lender appetite
• Why Buy Now, Pay Later could become a silent threat to credit quality
• How to balance cybersecurity spending with innovation and digital growth

Do not risk being caught off guard in 2026. Learn how to plan, pivot and outperform starting today. Subscribe now so you never miss a strategy that keeps you ahead.

Credit unions are operating in a new lending environment defined by risk, regulation and rapid innovation. In this episode of Leaders in Lending, hosts Barry Roach, Drew Megrey and Lynn Sautter Beal share how forward-thinking credit unions are adapting to win.

They explore how to build confidence in AI-driven models, balance compliance with growth, and strengthen governance through smarter data. The hosts also discuss why being too conservative on credit can cost market share, how approval experience matters more than rates and why data-driven models now outperform traditional underwriting.

From model oversight to regulatory readiness, this conversation gives credit union leaders practical strategies to stay competitive, confident and compliant in today’s lending landscape.

Don’t risk falling behind. Learn how to strengthen your governance, leverage smarter data, and prepare for the future of lending today.

Credit union membership growth is shrinking as per TruStage research, and the competition isn’t slowing down. In this episode of Leaders in Lending, co-hosts Lynn Sautter Beal, Drew Megrey, and Barry Roach dig into the hard truths about why CUs are losing members—and what can be done to turn the tide. They explore how fintech partnerships, smarter onboarding, and personalized member experiences can help credit unions thrive in a digital-first world. This isn’t a list of quick fixes; it’s a new way of thinking about building lifelong member relationships.

2025 has been all about the crunch. Credit is tight, uncertainty is everywhere and lenders are asking: is this the new normal or just another cycle? In this episode, we unpack what’s driving the squeeze, from regulation and rates to global risk, and how smart institutions are staying ahead.

We also look forward. 2026 will not be business as usual. AI, new lending models and shifting borrower behavior could reshape the landscape. Hear how leaders are finding opportunity in a market defined by uncertainty.

00:00 Anticipating a Fed Rate Cut
03:48 Embracing a New Financial Normal
08:48 Model Accuracy Relies on Recent Data
12:14 Advocating for Participation Loans
14:39 Credit Union Credit Builder Insights
19:16 Economic Uncertainty and Market Resilience
20:04 "Seizing High Yield Opportunities"

Auto loan rates are high, millions of borrowers are rate-locked, and a refinancing wave is on the horizon. In this episode, co-hosts Lynn Sautter Beal, Drew Megrey, and Barry Roach break down why credit unions are uniquely positioned to win the auto refi surge. They dig into smarter underwriting, targeted outreach, and the fintech tools helping CUs capture opportunity at scale. This isn’t a “wait and see” conversation; it’s a roadmap for owning the next big lending moment.