The Remarkable Credit Union

Not too long ago, federal funding for community development finance appeared to be on the chopping block. But ultimately, the Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Fund survived unscathed, in part due to strong bipartisan support. Since its founding in the 1990s, the CDFI movement has experienced remarkable growth and demonstrated equally remarkable resilience. 

In this episode of The Remarkable Credit Union Podcast, we talk to Clifford Rosenthal—author, co-founder of the CDFI movement, and National Cooperative Hall of Fame inductee—to reflect on the history of community development finance and what is now called for during times of political upheaval, rapid technological evolution, and increasingly automated customer touchpoints.

Together, we tackle this month's BIG question:

Over the past few decades, where has the credit union movement gained ground when it comes to community development and financial inclusion, and what should be its primary focus in the years ahead?

In this episode of The Remarkable Credit Union, I sit down with Cindy Shogre Raymer, VP and Director of Community Development at Greylock Federal Credit Union. We explore the crucial differences between credit unions that merely pay lip service to inclusion and those that genuinely embed inclusive practices throughout their organizations and communities. Cindy shares her extensive experience and insights from her four-decade career, emphasizing the importance of intentional program development, community input, and the need to address historical inequities, such as redlining. She highlights how Greylock's commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (IDEA) is transforming their approach to lending and community engagement. Tune in for actionable insights that can inspire meaningful change in your credit union's practices.

Financial education is a cornerstone of the credit union mission, but traditional approaches often miss the mark. Credit unions tend to treat financial education as a transactional service, expecting information or tools to change behavior, while ignoring systemic barriers, emotional baggage, and the personal circumstances each member brings to the table.

So how can credit unions actually move the needle? In this episode of The Remarkable Credit Union Podcast, Jamie Chandler, SVP of Program Initiatives & Strategic Partnerships at The Opportunity Initiative & Opportunity Knocks on PBS, talks about how credit unions can go beyond standard education efforts to truly understand and overcome barriers to financial wellness. We also delve into this month's BIG question:

What core assumptions about financial health get challenged when you start talking to people in the trenches, and how can credit unions foster more meaningful dialogue?

The driving philosophy behind the credit union movement is that community assets can—and should—be pooled for everyone's benefit. But is the movement's cooperative ethos still viable within the decidedly non-cooperative environment that defines the broader financial services industry and our economy at large?

John Felton, CEO of the Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union (SCFCU), answers that question with an enthusiastic YES! With nearly four decades of leadership at SCFCU, John has proven that doing good for the community is also good for business. We can choose to make decisions from a perspective of scarcity, John says, or we can choose to frame our decisions through a lens of abundance. 

In this episode of the Remarkable Credit Union Podcast, John talks through the nuts and bolts of what it means to lead with an "abundant mindset" and the positive outcomes for his members, his team, and his balance sheet. We also delve into this month's BIG question:

How can a credit union lead with impact and be profitable, particularly in an industry where many competing institutions are driven by profit above all else?

When Allegiance Credit Union set out to serve the growing Spanish-speaking community in Greater Oklahoma City, they didn't start with a marketing campaign. They started by listening.

In this episode of the Remarkable Credit Union Podcast, Christin Vaughn, SVP and Chief Marketing Officer at Allegiance, shares how years of community organizing, policy changes, and deep relationship-building led to the creation of Alianza — a fully distinct brand, website, and dedicated branch designed with and for the local Latino community.

This month, we share a story about what it really means to do the hard, unglamorous work of earning trust, and the impressive results that have followed. Together, we unpack this month's BIG question:

How can a credit union reach an underserved community in a way that authentically brings them into the fold and effectively addresses their needs?

"Wait... is this real?" Most of us have had the unsettling experience of receiving an email, text, or phone call and wondering if we're being scammed. While scams used to come with telltale red flags, they are getting increasingly sophisticated, and even more so with the rise of AI. According to the FBI's 2025 Internet Crime Report, Americans lost more than $20.9 billion to internet fraud alone in 2025, representing a 26% increase over 2024. 

What's a credit union to do? Are website pages, blog posts, email communications, and other educational content enough to stem the tide? And while much ado is being made about gamified financial education, which is more interactive and more fun, is it really working?

Billy Red, Director of Development at Sage Credit Union, joins us to talk about an entirely different approach to fraud education that leverages real member stories, expert advice, a strong element of suspense, and a few playful touches. Together, we unpack this month's BIG question:

How can credit unions approach financial education—especially around fraud—in a way that truly engages members and leads to meaningful behavior change?

AEO, GEO, zero-click searches. Amidst all the buzz about the changing search landscape, how do we move forward in a way that is neither too reckless nor too cautious?

In this episode of The Remarkable Credit Union podcast, we sit down with Megan Kenealy, Senior Digital Specialist at Avenue Agency, who works with credit unions and purpose-driven companies on SEO and AI Search, amongst other digital marketing initiatives.

Megan helps us break down which new search considerations credit union marketers should pay careful attention to, as well as which traditional SEO and user experience practices remain critical in the face of growing digital disruption. Join us to unpack this month's BIG question:

How is AI currently impacting the marketing industry, and what are the specific implications for credit union marketers?

In this episode of The Remarkable Credit Union Podcast, I sit down with Randy Ralston, a seasoned entrepreneur and blockchain expert, to explore how credit unions can effectively engage with cryptocurrency in a values-aligned manner. We dive into the evolving landscape of digital assets, discussing the risks of inaction for credit unions, including potential deposit losses and the need to attract younger members. Randy shares insights on the importance of integrating digital assets into credit union operations to maintain relevance and revenue streams. From digital vaulting to leveraging crypto for liquidity, we unpack actionable strategies that can help credit unions navigate this complex yet promising frontier. Join us for a compelling conversation that challenges traditional banking paradigms and highlights the future of finance.

For younger generations, the notion of depositing a check at a branch is as antiquated as the notion of booking a flight at a travel agency. The financial landscape has evolved dramatically over the last few decades, and credit unions are working hard to keep pace. 

Consolidation and growth in the credit union movement have helped some credit unions stay competitive, but at what cost? Do credit unions that are focused on aggressive growth risk losing sight of their purpose? Are they able to effectively serve their communities?

The answers to these questions are not definitive; a lot depends on the approach. We sat down with Derrick Aguilar, a 20-year veteran of the credit union movement and Chief Experience Officer at PenAir Credit Union (a PixelSpoke client), to talk about how credit unions have evolved over the last decades, and how they've stayed the same. 

We also addressed this month's BIG question:

How can credit unions grow while never losing sight of their member experience, community roots, and commitment to financial health?

The end of another year is upon us. Over the course of 2025, we’ve had the opportunity to speak to a wide range of leaders in the credit union movement, delve deep into trending topics, and stay close to industry news.

In our final episode of the year, our co-host Katie Stone, also CEO and Co-Owner at PixelSpoke, takes the guest seat, along with PixelSpoke President and Co-Owner Dave Drouin. Together, they reflect on this month’s BIG question:

When it comes to credit union marketing and leadership, what are some of the dominant themes that have emerged over the past year, and what should we be keeping top of mind for 2026?