Episodes

Most banks still treat community banking as a regulatory box to check. Queanne Smith, SVP and Group Strategy Manager at U.S. Bank, says that mindset caps growth instead of driving it, and breaks down how a 5% lift in client retention can swing profit by 25 to 90 percent. In this episode: - Community banking as growth infrastructure, not a side initiative - Getting embedded early in the customer lifecycle, pre-loan and pre-deposit - Why CRA requirements should be the floor, not the ceiling - Bui...

The regulations never went away. The exams slowed down, the enforcement pulled back, but every rule is still on the books. And when the pendulum swings back, everything being done right now is going to get looked at. Mike Reynolds from Zions Bancorporation and Aaron Rakowski from WesBanco co-chair the CBA CFPB Committee and have a clear message: this window is not a vacation. It's a chance to catch your documentation up, plug your compliance resources into product development, and stop yo-yoing ...

Innovation is accelerating across consumer banking. AI, digital assets and new payment models are reshaping the industry. But institutions still operate inside established regulatory frameworks. In this episode, Kyle Glenn of the Consumer Bankers...

The banking product is commoditized. The experience is not. In this episode of Leaders in Lending, guest host Deepak Bhandari sits down with TJ Steele, director of digital channels at Eastern Bank, to discuss how banks can differentiate when rates,...

Auto affordability isn't a cycle this time. It's a new baseline. In this episode, guest host Deepak Bhandari from Upstart sits down with Eric Earvin from First Commonwealth Bank and Michael Gilbert from Associated Bank, co-chairs of the CBA Auto...

Banks don't know if they should be running disparate impact analysis or not. The CFPB is rewriting its own rules. State AGs are filling the gaps. And the legal questions around agentic AI haven't even been answered yet. CBA General Counsel David Pommerehn breaks down what's actually happening and what lending leaders should do about it. Recorded at CBA Live 2026 in San Diego, this episode covers: - The CFPB under the current administration - Reg B and the elimination of disparate impact - State...

The biggest lending risk in 2026 may not be where you think. Experian Chief Economist Joseph Mayans calls today’s environment a one trick pony economy. Growth is concentrated. White collar strength is carrying the load. And if that shifts, prime borrowers may be the segment to watch. Recorded at CBA Live 2026, this episode covers: • The macro outlook into mid-2026 • AI concentration risk • White collar labor exposure • Why prime credit could be mispriced • Small business formation in the AI eco...

How can lenders increase approvals without increasing charge-offs? In this episode of Leaders in Lending, Dan Harp, Chief Lending Officer at 717 Credit Union, discusses how decision engines and AI-powered underwriting models are reshaping risk...

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...

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 c...

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 featuri...

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 discuss...

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 emp...

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 insig...

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 expe...

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 w...

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 un...

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.

What if the next conference you attended didn’t just inspire ideas, but actually drove change? In this episode of Leaders in Lending, hosts Lynn Sautter Beal, Drew Megrey, and Barry Roach share practical strategies for turning insights from ACU Strategic Growth Conference into meaningful action. They explore how credit unions can prioritize takeaways, implement initiatives, and keep momentum going long after the event ends. From selecting the right vendor partners to engaging frontline staff, th...

Access to credit can be life-changing, but for many members, the process still feels out of reach. Great Lakes Credit Union is working to change that with practical solutions that meet people where they are.In this episode, host Drew Megrey sits down with Steve Bugg, President and CEO of GLCU, to talk about how his team is rethinking lending through small-dollar loans, credit builder programs, and face-to-face financial coaching. Steve shares how they’re making a difference for underserved membe...

Technology is reshaping every corner of financial services. For credit unions, the challenge isn’t just keeping up, it’s choosing the right tools, partners, and processes to stay ahead without losing sight of the member experience.In this episode, host Drew Megrey sits down with Bill Clancy, Vice President of Consumer Lending at Advia Credit Union, to explore how his team navigates digital transformation while maintaining the high-touch service members expect. From managing 50+ lending technolog...

Rising vehicle prices, longer loan terms, and shrinking margins. As credit unions adapt, standing out requires more than competitive rates. It takes consistency, clarity, and a lending team built for speed and service.In this episode, host Barry Roach sits down with Adam Brice, Chief Lending Officer at EFCU Financial, to unpack how his team reimagined consumer lending from the ground up. From creating a centralized loan contact center to balancing common sense with emerging tech, Adam shares wha...

As credit unions grapple with an increasingly digital-first market, the path to growth lies in strategic partnerships, streamlined onboarding, and data-driven cross-sell strategies. In this episode, host Matt Snow sits down with Kirk Drake—author, entrepreneur, and founder of CU 2.0—to explore how credit unions can stay relevant in a fast-changing financial landscape. Drawing on decades of experience in FinTech and community banking, Kirk shares practical insights on building strategic partners...

As the regulatory environment continues to shift and technology reshapes the compliance landscape, today’s lending leaders are under increasing pressure to stay agile and forward-thinking. In this episode, recorded live at CBA Live 2025 in Orlando, host Lynn Sautter Beal sits down with Aaron Rykowski, Chief Compliance Officer at WesBanco, and Mikey Reynolds, Director of Compliance at Zions Bank Corporation. Both serve on the CBA’s CFPB Committee and share how their institutions are responding t...