Can a credit union really compete with Chase and Chime? Sunward Federal Credit Union's EVP Alex De La Cruz says yes — and he's got the numbers to prove it.

Alex brings nearly two decades of financial services experience across Bank of America, First Tech Federal Credit Union, TDECU, and Teachers Federal Credit Union before joining Sunward in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Today he leads retail, lending, digital, marketing, and strategy — one of the broadest executive roles in the credit union industry.

In this episode, Alex gets brutally honest about what it takes to win in community banking in 2026. He breaks down Sunward's Vision 2035 strategy, explains why member experience means nothing without data, and shares how a not-for-profit cooperative is quietly becoming the dominant financial institution in the American Southwest — from New Mexico to Colorado and beyond.

If you work in credit unions, community banking, or financial services — this one is required listening.

Highlights:

• From Bank of America skeptic to credit union champion
• Vision 2035 and top-quartile growth in the Southwest
• Full-stream housing strategy: dirt to doorstep
• Digital vs. branch: what actually drives acquisition in 2026
• Competing with JPMorgan Chase without a billion-dollar budget
• Expanding into Colorado and the Four Corners region

The Outlier Podcast — Honest conversations with leaders redefining financial services.

John Fede, CIO of Hudson Valley Credit Union, has spent over 30 years in technology across government, publishing, consulting, and financial services. In this conversation, he gets honest about the unglamorous work that has to happen before innovation is even possible — fixing data infrastructure, building AI governance, scaling automation, and maturing cybersecurity — and why skipping those steps is exactly how credit unions fall behind.

He also shares two bold predictions: AI as a force multiplier that lets smaller institutions compete with the biggest banks, and stablecoins as a genuine threat to ACH as we know it.

Plus, the leadership philosophy that drives everything — be comfortable being uncomfortable, make your people marketable, and never fall in love with the technology itself.

A sharp, grounded conversation for anyone building the future of community finance.

What does intentional leadership look like at GAC 2025 — and what does it mean to redefine membership growth in the credit union industry?In this live episode of The Outlier Podcast, recorded at GAC in Washington D.C., Anurag Mukherjee sits down with Brian Waldron, CEO of Dort Financial Credit Union, for a candid conversation on employee engagement, strategic growth, and why credit unions need to stop trying to compete with Chime on every front.What you'll learn in this episode:Why Brian's #1 priority is employee engagement — and how Dort Financial achieved industry-leading scores without pizza days or jean FridaysThe story behind Dort Financial's Florida expansion, their naming rights partnership with Florida Atlantic University, and how they're bringing financial education to student athletesHow Brian thinks about technology — not as a replacement for people, but as a tool to free employees for more meaningful workWhy Brian believes credit unions need to redefine what membership growth actually means in the age of Chime, Revolut, and neobanksHow Dort Financial grew low-income membership from 0% to 8% in the West Palm Beach market — and why that number matters more than it soundsThe case for credit union marketing that's bold, unapologetic, and built for the long gameKey themes: Credit union leadership | Membership growth strategy | Employee engagement | Community banking | Fintech competition | Financial inclusion | GAC 2026 | Credit union marketing

What does a history major who taught himself to code have to teach CIOs about innovation? Quite a lot, it turns out.In this episode of The Outlier Podcast, Anurag Mukherjee sits down with Jonathan Cilley, CIO of Mid Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union, for a wide-ranging conversation on technology leadership, calculated risk-taking, and what the next five years could look like for credit union tech.Jonathan traces his career from C-sharp developer at a Maryland credit union — a job he took because it paid more and had a shorter commute — to managing enterprise-scale technology operations at Visions Federal Credit Union, and ultimately to his current CIO role in the Hudson Valley. His secret? A disciplined framework for taking calculated risks, and a developer's belief that if you can dream it, it can be built.

What does it take to grow a credit union without indirect lending — and still win? In this live episode recorded at the 2026 Government Affairs Conference (GAC) in Washington D.C., Anurag Mukherjee sits down with two senior executives from Indiana Members Credit Union (IMCU) to break down the strategies driving one of Indiana's most respected credit unions forward.In this episode, you'll learn:Why IMCU has deliberately avoided indirect lending and how they're growing auto loans through direct member relationships insteadHow IMCU balances new member acquisition with deepening existing member relationshipsIMCU's approach to serving niche markets — including refugee communities and small business lendingWhat 40+ credit union and bank acquisitions have taught them about M&A culture integrationWhy IMCU converted from a SEG-based to a community charter — and what that unlockedHow IMCU is redefining branch strategy in a digital-first era, including extended-hour ITMs staffed by actual employeesKey topics covered:Credit union growth strategy | Community banking | Indirect vs. direct lending | Member acquisition | Credit union M&A | Community charter | Small business lending | Branch transformation | Digital banking | Human touch in financial servicesAbout Indiana Members Credit Union (IMCU):IMCU is a community-based credit union headquartered in Indiana with a decades-long track record of organic and acquisitive growth. With over 40 completed mergers and a strong emphasis on niche market relationships — from small businesses to refugee communities — IMCU represents a model for mission-driven financial institutions.About The Outlier Podcast:The Outlier Podcast features unconventional leaders who are redefining their industries. Recognized by Money 20/20 as a leading fintech podcast, each episode delivers unfiltered strategy, leadership, and innovation from the people building the future of financial services.🎙️ 📍 Recorded live at GAC 2026, Washington D.C.Chapters:00:00 — Welcome & GAC 2026 intro00:47 — How GAC has evolved over 10+ years01:42 — IMCU's 3-year strategic bets: direct lending, niches, small business03:42 — Why IMCU avoids indirect lending05:35 — Balancing member acquisition vs. deepening existing relationships07:51 — Auto loans as a traffic driver into deeper membership09:27 — IMCU's M&A philosophy: 40+ acquisitions and counting10:58 — Community charter vs. SEG-based growth11:27 — Human touch in the age of digital banking and AI12:52 — Branch transformation: ITMs, extended hours, and employee-staffed service#CreditUnion #CommunityBanking #IMCU #GAC2026 #OutlierPodcast #CreditUnionStrategy #FinancialServices #Fintech #CreditUnionMarketing

In this live episode of The Outlier Podcast recorded at GAC 2026 in Washington D.C., host Anurag Mukherjee sits down with Cathy Graham and Jeremy Nelson from Desert Financial Credit Union — one of the most forward-thinking credit unions in the country — for a candid conversation on growth, relevance, AI, and what credit unions must get right in the next 24 months.What is Desert Financial Credit Union's growth strategy?Desert Financial is focused on doubling membership over the next 10 years — not for growth's sake, but through the lens of empowering financial well-being. Their approach combines organic acquisition, early member activation, relationship deepening, and a community-first giving philosophy summarized in three words every employee knows: Give. Grow. Guide.How are credit unions using AI to drive marketing results?Desert Financial's data science team has built over 300 member personas using AI agents to test how messaging and creative campaigns resonate before launch — dramatically improving decision-making speed and campaign effectiveness.What is agentic commerce and why does it matter for credit unions?Consumers are increasingly using AI agents to shop, book, and make financial decisions on their behalf. Desert Financial is already building strategies to ensure they are visible and relevant to AI agents — not just human members. This is one of the most forward-thinking moves in credit union marketing today.What must credit unions get right in the next 24 months?According to Cornerstone Advisors research, 69% of credit unions list membership growth as their top priority. But Cathy and Jeremy argue the real imperative is storytelling and relevance — breaking through the noise with a compelling, modern narrative about the credit union difference before fintechs like Revolut and neobanks capture the next generation of members.What external factors are shaping credit union strategy right now?From stablecoin developments to open banking, macroeconomic pressures, and AI disruption — leaders at GAC 2026 are navigating unprecedented complexity. The answer: stay anchored to a clear strategy while staying informed enough to adapt.Entities Referenced: Desert Financial Credit Union | GAC 2026 | Government Affairs Conference | CUNA | Cornerstone Advisors | Ron Shevlin | Revolut | Brené Brown | Agentic Commerce | Credit Union Membership Growth | AI in Financial Services | Generative AI Marketing | Community Banking StrategyEpisode Type: Live Podcast | GAC 2026 Washington D.C.Show: The Outlier Podcast — leaders who redefine their spaces | Recognized by Money 20/20Subscribe for weekly conversations with the executives reshaping community finance.#CreditUnions #GAC2026 #DesertFinancial #AgenticCommerce #AIinBanking #CreditUnionGrowth #OutlierPodcast #CommunityBanking #Fintech #FinancialWellbeing #MemberGrowth #GiveGrowGuide

In this episode, Anurag sits down with Cydni Tetro, CIO of Swire Coca-Cola and a legendary "technology mogul" of the CPG and retail space. They explore Cydni’s "Blue Sky" philosophy of innovation, the rapid evolution of AI in manufacturing and consumer experience, and her mission to fix the "broken rung" for women in STEM.Key Takeaways & Timestamps1. The "Blue Sky" Innovation FrameworkConcept: Innovation starts by asking "what is possible if there are no constraints?" before applying budget or technical limits.The Goal: Move beyond "innovator’s dilemma" by being willing to disrupt your own successful business models.2. AI as a Growth CatalystWork Transformation: AI isn't just for digital products; it's a tool for "work transformation," making strategic leaders 100x faster by identifying root causes and simulating levers for growth.Manufacturing & Logistics: Cydni highlights using AI for predictive maintenance on production lines and optimizing "pallet stacking" for retail delivery.3. The Human-AI Creative BlendThe Gap: While AI excels at operational efficiency and forecasting, it still struggles to predict "breakthrough" consumer trends (the "TikTok shop" phenomena).Human Role: First-principles thinking and "ingenious" creativity remain the domain of human leaders.4. Fixing the "Broken Rung" for Women in TechThe Challenge: It’s not just an entry problem; it’s a promotion problem. Only 5% of tech executives are women because the "ladder is broken" at the mid-to-senior transition.The Solution: Flexibility shouldn't mean "working less"—it means accountability to outcomes while allowing life integration.Rapid Fire HighlightsInnovation in two words: "Problem solving" or "Blue sky thinking."Bullish Trend: The complete transformation of the software development ecosystem (coding 1,000 lines in minutes via AI).Proudest Achievement: Building the Women Tech Council, which has impacted the lives of over 40,000 women.Key Facts & Entities Referenced in This Episode:Swire Coca-Cola (CPG, CIO, digital transformation)The Walt Disney Company (Blue Sky Group, innovation framework)Women Tech Council (nonprofit, women in technology, founded by Cyndi Tetro)SheTech (nonprofit, girls in STEM, founded by Cyndi Tetro)Microsoft (AI in manufacturing, partnership)SiteMachine (AI manufacturing partner)EY Entrepreneur of the Year (award recipient: Cyndi Tetro)Money 20/20 (recognition: The Outlier Podcast)Walmart (retail AI use case referenced)TikTok Shop (consumer trend reference)**Chapters:**00:00 Introduction: Who is Cyndi Tetro?01:40 Blue Sky Thinking: The Disney Innovation Framework05:30 AI as a Business Co-Pilot: Speed, Decisioning & Scale09:00 AI in CPG: Manufacturing, Logistics, Shelf Intelligence & Consumer Experience13:00 How to Build and Exit Scalable Technology Companies15:30 The Broken Rung: Why Women Are Still Underrepresented in Senior Tech Leadership18:20 Rapid Fire: Innovation, Top Tech Trend & Proudest Achievement#CydniTetro #SwireCocaCola #WomenTechCouncil #SheTech #AIinCPG #DigitalTransformation #WomenInTech #WomenInSTEM #Innovation #BlueSkyThinking #ArtificialIntelligence #CPG #OutlierPodcast #WomenLeadership #TechPodcast #Entrepreneurship #AIStrategy #FintechPodcast #ScalingBusinesses #EYEntrepreneur

In this episode of The Outlier Podcast, host Anurag Mukherjee sits down with Jim Lawrence, the Chief Revenue and Experience Officer at Partners Federal Credit Union. With over 26 years of experience at major institutions like Wachovia and Wells Fargo, Jim shares why he transitioned to the credit union movement and how he is redefining the intersection of financial growth and member-centric service.What You Will Learn in This Episode:The Shift to Credit Union Leadership: Jim discusses his "outlier" journey from large commercial banking to finding his calling at Partners FCU, focusing on community and member advocacy.Driving Revenue Through Experience: Discover how revenue growth and member experience are interconnected. Jim explains why educating members on value propositions—like saving time and building long-term peace of mind—is the ultimate growth engine.Defining Channel Parity: Learn how to measure experience across a member lifecycle. Jim introduces the concept of channel parity, ensuring consistent value whether a member engages via digital platforms, physical branches, or contact centers.Future Revenue Streams for Credit Unions: Why wealth management, generational wealth transfer, and affluent planning are critical for the next five years of sustainable growth in the credit union ecosystem.Fintech & Digital Innovation: Insights into implementing "table stakes" technology, including reducing account opening times to under five minutes and utilizing AI in contact centers for 24/7 member support.Key Highlights & Timestamps:01:14 – Jim’s background: From summer teller to Chief Revenue Officer.02:45 – Balancing the "polarities" of revenue growth and member mission.04:26 – How to measure experience: Beyond NPS to Channel Parity.07:30 – Sustainable revenue: The massive opportunity in Wealth Management.12:09 – Leveraging data analytics to personalize the member journey.14:44 – Digital Innovation: Achieving a sub-5-minute onboarding experience.16:13 – Staying relevant: The role of AI and virtual banking in the next 5 years.About the Guest:Jim Lawrence is the Chief Revenue and Experience Officer at Partners Federal Credit Union, which serves the employees and families of The Walt Disney Company. With nearly three decades of leadership in the financial sector, he is a recognized expert in scaling operations while maintaining a high-touch human experience.

In this episode, we sit down with Eric Givens, Senior Vice President of Research and Development at Arizona Financial Credit Union. Eric shares his 17-year journey from the front lines of the 2008 financial crisis to leading the charge in credit union innovation. We dive deep into the strategic implementation of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL), the reality of integrating AI in financial services, and why the concept of a "Primary Financial Institution" is evolving into a battle for "top of wallet" status.In this episode, we discuss:The R&D Mindset: How Arizona Financial built a dedicated team to solve member and employee pain points.BNPL Strategy: Why keeping $1.5M in member funds within the credit union ecosystem was a game-changer.The AI Frontier: Moving beyond the hype to use Generative AI for operational efficiency and better call center support.Connectivity Hurdles: The "song and dance" of bridging legacy core systems with modern API-driven software.The Future of Digital Assets: Why stablecoins are on the research radar for 2026 and beyond.🎙️ About the Guest: Eric GivensEric Givens is a veteran Credit Union leader with a deep focus on the intersection of technology and member experience. Since 2008, he has navigated the shifting tides of the industry—from risk management to digital banking—and now oversees R&D at Arizona Financial, where he focuses on keeping the institution agile and tech-forward.⏱️ Chapter Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction & New York vs. Phoenix Weather01:17 - Eric’s 17-Year Journey: From Repossessions to R&D02:40 - The Goal of Technology: Avoiding the "Laggard" Trap04:09 - Implementing BNPL: Meeting Members Where They Are07:15 - Cutting Through the AI Hype: Agentic vs. Legacy AI10:38 - The "Connectivity" Challenge: APIs and Core Integration13:43 - Enhancing the Digital Experience: Automation over Flash15:45 - The $1 Trillion Shift: Researching Stablecoins18:06 - The Evolving Credit Union Model & Challenger Banks20:42 - Proudest Moments: Biometrics and Card Controls🚀 About The Outlier PodcastThe Outlier Podcast explores the edge of innovation in the financial world. We interview the leaders, thinkers, and "outliers" who are reshaping how we think about money, community banking, and the technology that powers it all.Digital First, Human Always.#TheOutlierPodcast #Fintech #CreditUnions #DigitalTransformation #BNPL #AIinBanking #LeadershipInsights #ArizonaFinancial

In this episode of The Outlier Podcast, host Anurag Mukherjee interviews Arindam, Chief Risk Officer (CRO) of Bank OZK (Nasdaq: OZK). This technical discussion explores the intersection of risk management strategy, AI data infrastructure, and banking leadership.Arindam provides a framework for shifting risk management from a defensive hurdle to a strategic growth engine. He introduces the concept of Risk-Reward Continuum Optimization, arguing that first-principles thinking allows financial institutions to scale confidently during market volatility.Key Discussion Points & Timestamps00:00 – Welcome & Introduction: Arindam’s journey from Kolkata to Chief Risk Officer.02:01 – The Tokyo Experience: Learning the true meaning of empowerment and trust.05:24 – Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable in leadership.06:11 – Risk vs. Growth: Optimizing the risk-reward continuum.09:40 – Why risk management provides the confidence to move fast.11:57 – Applying "First Principles" to navigate market uncertainties.14:33 – The "Maruti 800" Analogy: Why AI fails without the right data infrastructure.19:12 – The future of Compliance and Generative AI in banking.22:12 – Hiring Strategy: Nurturing talent vs. finding "turnkey" solutions.27:11 – Parting Thoughts: Adaptability in the age of hyper-information.📌 KEY TOPICS COVERED:Leadership & Career JourneyTransitioning from Oracle developer to CRO at a $41.5B bankEarly career lessons from leading multi-vendor projects in TokyoThe importance of empowerment, collaboration, and surrounding yourself with smart peopleRisk Management PhilosophyWhy risk should be a catalyst for growth, not a hindranceOptimizing the risk-reward continuum in bankingFirst principles approach: Five Cs of credit, cycle-agnostic strategiesBalancing compliance (risk avoidance) vs. strategic risk-takingData Infrastructure & AI in BankingWhy data engineering infrastructure is the game-changer for mid-sized banks ($30-50B assets)The risks of deploying AI models without proper data plumbingModel transparency and SR 11-7 compliance for AI/ML modelsUse cases for generative AI: sentiment analysis, model interpretation, downstream workflowsThe compliance challenge: proving fairness and transparency in LLM-based lending decisionsBuilding High-Performance TeamsRecruiting from top grad programs (Duke, Brown, Cornell) when brand name isn't enoughPrioritizing technical skills and first principles over behavioral interviewsNurturing talent in-house vs. hiring turnkey expertiseFocus on continuous learners and providing stretch goalsFuture of Risk & Leadership (Next 5 Years)Adaptability as the core leadership trait in the age of information overloadProtecting first principles while absorbing market signalsTracing backward from strategic vision to present-day execution🏦 ABOUT BANK OZK:Headquarters: Little Rock, ArkansasTotal Assets: $41.5 billionArindam joined in 2016 during a transformational period👤 GUEST BIO:Arindam has been in risk management since 2011, previously with Discover and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. He holds a degree from Jadavpur University (Kolkata) and began his career at Oracle before transitioning to finance.#FutureOfBanking #AIRevolution #DataScience #TechInFinance#LeadershipLessons #CareerAdvice #BankingInnovation #FinanceLeaders#ChiefRiskOfficer #RiskManagement #BankingLeadership #AIinBanking #FinTech #RegTech #AICompliance #MachineLearning #BankingPodcast#FinanceCareer #LeadershipDevelopment #BankingStrategy #RiskAnalytics#GenerativeAI #ModelRisk #FinancialRisk #BankingTech #CROInsights#FinancialServices #CreditRisk #DataEngineering #BankCRO#ArindamMajumdar #BankOZK