The CUInsight Network

CUInsight | Credit Union
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Welcome to The CUInsight Network. In each episode we have wide-ranging conversations with thought leaders who support the credit union community. We identify issues and challenges facing credit unions and identify best practices. The goal of The CUInsight Network is to take a deeper dive with people and find the gems we can all learn and grow our credit unions from. Thank you for tuning in. Enjoy!

  1. 4d ago

    Beyond Banking - DaLand CUSO

    “Don’t adopt neutrality as a strategy ... Being a light in your local community is going to be very valuable and significant.” – Jon Ungerland Thank you for tuning in to The CUInsight Network, with your host, Robbie Young, Vice President of Strategic Growth at CUInsight. In The CUInsight Network, we take a deeper dive with the thought leaders who support the credit union community. We discuss issues and challenges facing credit unions and identify best practices to learn and grow together. My guest on today’s show is Jon Ungerland, CIO / Chief of Staff at DaLand CUSO. Last year, Jon was on the podcast, and we talked about the future of money. I’m so excited to welcome him back for another conversation about what that future means for credit unions today. As CIO and chief of staff at DaLand CUSO, he has spent years working to connect traditional financial institutions with emerging digital asset networks, and this time, we’re discussing why that connection matters now more than ever. Throughout our conversation, Jon shares the journey behind DaLand CUSO’s evolution from a consulting firm into a technology-focused organization helping credit unions integrate digital assets into their existing systems. We talk about Coin2Core, the company’s solution for connecting financial institutions with networks such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDC, and why keeping these capabilities within the credit union’s own infrastructure is so crucial. Jon explains how relying on outside platforms can put member relationships, deposits, and long-term revenue opportunities at risk, particularly as more consumers move their wealth into digital assets. The two of us also discuss what other credit unions can learn from St. Cloud Financial Credit Union’s experience implementing Coin2Core, including the importance of educating regulators, engaging legislators, and building trust. As we wrap up the conversation, Jon looks ahead to the future, sharing his thoughts on how digital assets could change payments, lending, and non-interest income, as well as the emerging relationship between digital money networks and AI. We also move beyond tech and touch upon leadership, philosophy, and the personal convictions that drive Jon’s work. He talks about the importance of local financial sovereignty, his admiration for John F. Kennedy, his love of fishing, and the books that continue to shape his perspective. He also offers a pointed message for credit union leaders: staying neutral on digital assets is no longer a viable strategy! Enjoy my conversation with Jon Ungerland! Connect with Jon: Jon Ungerland, CIO / Chief of Staff at DaLand CUSO dalandcuso.com Jon: LinkedIn DaLand CUSO: LinkedIn | X | YouTube | Email | 855-DALAND1 Show notes from this episode: Jon’s previous guest appearance: The future of money – St. Cloud Financial Credit Union & DaLand CUSO Shout-out: St. Cloud Financial Credit Union Shout-out: Blaze Credit Union Shout-out: Canvas Credit Union Shout-out: Bitcoin Shout-out: Ethereum Shout-out: USDC Shout-out: Solana Shout-out: Blockchain Shout-out: Square Shout-out: J.P. Morgan Shout-out: Morgan Stanley Shout-out: Fidelity Shout-out: Nacha Shout-out: Swift Shout-out: ACH Shout-out: Jed Meyer Place mentioned: Washington DC Shout-out: Coinbase Shout-out: Wells Fargo Shout-out: Deutsche Bank Shout-out: Jesus Christ Shout-out: John F. Kennedy Place mentioned: Cape Cod, MA Shout-out: Robert F. Kennedy Shout-out: Jon’s son Place mentioned: Philadelphia Place mentioned: NYC, NY Place mentioned: Boston, MA Place mentioned: Albuquerque, NM Place mentioned: Santa Fe, NM Shout-out: Georgia O'Keeffe Book mentioned: Belief Today by Karl Rahner Book mentioned: The Mystical Way in Everyday Life: Sermons, Prayers, and Essays by Karl Rahner Place mentioned: Europe Place mentioned: Great Britain Place mentioned: Germany Shout-out: U.S. Congress In this episode: [1:00] - Jon reveals how DaLand CUSO went from consulting to developing technology that helps credit unions connect with digital money networks. [3:53] - Jon argues that credit unions need cooperative technology solutions to retain digital wealth. [6:44] - Jon explains how outsourcing digital wealth services can cost credit unions member relationships, core technology value, and deposits. [9:16] - Hear how credit unions can use technology they already have to become go-to digital wallets and keep deposits from flowing to crypto companies. [12:36] - Hear how St. Cloud and Canvas demonstrate how ownership, education, and technology help credit unions serve digital wealth locally. [15:57] - Jon touches upon how a Washington, D.C., conference revealed the urgency of digital money networks and validated DaLand’s approach to compliance and certification. [18:49] - DaLand’s level-four certification confirms its flexible, secure setup for connecting credit unions with digital money networks. [21:10] - Credit unions need to expand into digital asset lending, payments, and exchanges to remain competitive. [23:02] - Jon explains how AI-driven financial services offer credit unions new revenue streams through agent economies and locally controlled AI infrastructure. [25:49] - Jon draws inspiration from JFK and Bobby Kennedy’s commitment to community, cooperation, and working-class prosperity. [28:14] - What would Jon splurge on if given the chance? [31:26] - Jon enthusiastically explains his love for Karl Rahner’s books, two in particular. [33:07] - Jon is passionate about keeping financial decisions local, while making time for his family and securing his son’s future. [35:56] - Jon urges credit unions to stop being neutral and to study financial outflows and protect their communities’ control over capital.

  2. Oct 30

    Fighting Fraud - America’s Credit Unions

    “It can be tireless and thankless at times, but any intervention that helps save a member from a scammer, helps them recover their funds, is important.” – Andrew Morris Thank you for tuning in to The CUInsight Network, with your host, Robbie Young, Vice President of Strategic Growth at CUInsight. In The CUInsight Network, we take a deeper dive with the thought leaders who support the credit union community. We discuss issues and challenges facing credit unions and identify best practices to learn and grow together. My guest on today’s show is Andrew Morris, Director of Innovation and Technology at America’s Credit Unions. He joins me for this episode to discuss one of the biggest challenges that is currently facing our industry: fraud. As scams become increasingly sophisticated and technology continues to evolve, how can credit unions better protect their members while ensuring our laws and regulations keep pace? Andrew shares his journey from financial regulatory policy into technology and innovation advocacy, along with how America’s Credit Unions works to translate credit unions’ real-world experiences into recommendations for lawmakers and regulators, and we discuss the organization’s cybersecurity, fraud, and vendor risk resources, including educational tools to help credit unions prepare their teams and keep members informed. Throughout our conversation, we explore some practical strategies for strengthening fraud prevention, from demonstrating how AI-powered impersonation scams can be very convincing to adopting fraud-detection technologies and sharing information with other financial institutions. Andrew explains why even tech-savvy individuals can fall victim to especially sophisticated scams, the particular challenges of romance scams, and why tackling fraud requires collaboration beyond the financial services industry. Andrew also breaks down the challenges posed by outdated check-funds availability rules and explains how current frameworks can create opportunities for fraudsters. As we wrap up the conversation, Andrew shares how credit unions can help shape the conversation in Washington, highlighting the importance of personal member stories when advocating to lawmakers and other details when working with regulators. We also look at America’s Credit Unions’ priorities for the road ahead, including check fraud, information sharing, emerging technologies, and cross-sector collaboration. We also, as usual, undergo a fun series of rapid-fire questions about leadership, nature photography, favorite travel destinations, must-read books, and finding work-life balance. Enjoy my conversation with Andrew Morris!  Connect with Andrew: Andrew Morris, Director of Innovation and Technology at America’s Credit Unions americascreditunions.org Andrew: LinkedIn America’s Credit Unions: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X | YouTube Want to hear more from Andrew? Click here. Shout-out: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Event mentioned: Great Recession Law mentioned: GENIUS Act Law mentioned: Regulation CC Shout-out: FBI Shout-out: FTC Shout-out: DOJ Shout-out: IRS Place mentioned: Washington DC Shout-out: Congress Law mentioned: Bank Secrecy Act Law mentioned: STOP Payments Fraud Act of 2026 Law mentioned: TRAPS Act Shout-out: FCC Shout-out: Andrew’s college soccer captain Place mentioned: New York City, NY Place mentioned: New Orleans, LA Book mentioned: The Heavens and the Earth: A Political History of the Space Age by Walter A. McDougall Event mentioned: Sputnik 1 Place mentioned: Soviet Union In this episode: [0:47] - Hear how Andrew’s career evolved from financial regulatory policy into technology-focused advocacy for credit unions. [3:12] - Andrew translates credit unions’ fraud concerns into targeted policy recommendations and more effective regulatory interventions. [6:28] - America's Credit Unions provides fraud prevention resources, advocacy opportunities, and engagement with regulators. [8:09] - Member education, AI-powered detection tools, and information sharing can strengthen credit unions’ fraud prevention strategies. [11:55] - As scams become more convincing, fraud prevention requires vigilance, financial institution collaboration, and stronger social media platform accountability. [14:46] - Outdated check-funds availability rules create vulnerabilities that criminals exploit before financial institutions can investigate suspected fraud. [17:41] - Andrew highlights AI impersonation risks and the need for stronger oversight of AI developers. [19:39] - Hear how subsidized AI defenses could help credit unions counter increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks without unsustainable costs. [22:36] - Personal success stories resonate with lawmakers, whereas regulators need operational details to improve fraud prevention. [25:07] - What is ACU’s focus for the road ahead? [27:33] - Hear why Andrew admired his pickup soccer team captain in college. [28:30] - If Andrew were to splurge on something, it would probably be a really nice camera. [29:33] - Andrew touches upon his love for New York City. [29:57] - Andrew recommends the book The Heavens and the Earth which explores how the Sputnik crisis shaped American technology policy and education. [31:24] - Effective work-life balance requires constantly prioritizing what matters now and accepting what can wait. [32:14] - Andrew thanks frontline credit union professionals for protecting members and demonstrating relationship-focused banking’s value.

  3. Oct 28

    Speed and Trust - Corporate Central Credit Union

    “Credit unions don’t need to become fintechs, but they really do need fintech-grade tools.” – Ryan McMillan Thank you for tuning in to The CUInsight Network, with your host, Robbie Young, Vice President of Strategic Growth at CUInsight. In The CUInsight Network, we take a deeper dive with the thought leaders who support the credit union community. We discuss issues and challenges facing credit unions and identify best practices to learn and grow together. My guest on today’s show is Ryan McMillan, Technology Services Director of Corporate Central Credit Union. He joins me to talk about what happens when a childhood dream of playing professional baseball gives way to a career in technology, and so much more! He takes us through his journey from building his first PC and working in his high school’s tech department to leading technology strategy across cloud, cybersecurity, automation, payments, AI, and resiliency. Throughout our conversation, Ryan and I discuss what Corporate Central actually does as a “credit union for credit unions” and how its cooperative model allows credit unions to access technology and capabilities they might not be able to build on their own, and one of the biggest themes in our conversation is data, with Ryan arguing that most credit unions don’t have a data shortage; they have a connection problem. We discuss how bringing information together can help leaders make smarter decisions and how conversational business intelligence could change the way we interact with dashboards and reports. Instead of simply asking what happened, leaders can start asking what changed, why it matters, and what they should do next. As we wrap up the conversation, the two of us also take a look at the growing need for fintech-grade tools without credit unions having to become fintechs themselves, including Corporate Central’s Beastro platform and the future of instant payments. Listen as Ryan shares why speed also brings new risks, particularly around fraud, and why he believes that credit unions should help shape the next generation of financial infrastructure rather than wait for it to be built for them, and, as usual, we undergo a round of rapidfire questions, with Ryan talking about baseball stadiums, family, leadership, work-life balance, a book that he loves, and his advice for resisting the urge to chase every shiny new tool! I hope that you enjoy my conversation with Ryan McMillan! Connect with Ryan: Ryan McMillan, Technology Services Director of Corporate Central Credit Union corpcu.com Ryan: LinkedIn Corporate Central Credit Union: LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube Show notes from this episode: Shout-out: Packard Bell Shout-out: Windows 95 Shout-out: SharePoint Shout-out: Slack Shout-out: Beastro Shout-out: Ryan’s dad Shout-out: Ryan’s four kids Place mentioned: Anaheim, CA Film mentioned: Angels in the Outfield Book mentioned: The Phoenix Project by Gene Kim, Kevin Behr, & George Spafford In this episode: [0:52] - Hear how Ryan once wanted to be a professional baseball player. [2:09] - Ryan explains how his IT career evolved from maintaining essential infrastructure to shaping reliable, cooperative technology strategies for credit unions. [4:41] - By connecting fragmented data, AI-powered insights, and conversational business intelligence help credit unions make smarter, more informed decisions. [7:37] - Ryan emphasizes how Corporate Central’s shared payments platform gives credit unions fintech-grade capabilities while preserving their brands and member trust. [8:59] - With instant payments accelerating, Ryan highlights building open, resilient financial infrastructure that reduces risk and delivers greater member value. [10:25] - Hear why Ryan credits his dad as a great leader. [11:10] - Listen as Ryan shares his passion for technology and baseball, including his family’s recent whirlwind tour of seven stadiums in nine days. [13:01] - Discover what Ryan loves about the book The Phoenix Project. [14:37] - Ryan urges credit unions to prioritize real problems over shiny new tools, using collaboration, automation, and AI to improve decisions.

  4. Oct 16

    Coopetition - Innovative Business Solutions

    “We know we’ve a common problem. We know we’ve got to solve that problem. And even though were competing with each other, it will make all of us better if we cooperate.” – Mark Cox Thank you for tuning in to The CUInsight Network, with your host, Robbie Young, Vice President of Strategic Growth at CUInsight. In The CUInsight Network, we take a deeper dive with the thought leaders who support the credit union community. We discuss issues and challenges facing credit unions and identify best practices to learn and grow together. My guest on today’s show is Mark Cox, President and CEO at Innovative Business Solutions. He joins me for a conversation about commercial lending, collaboration, and the ways credit unions can expand their impact in their communities, and he shares his journey from aspiring heart surgeon to a 37-year career in commercial banking and, eventually, the credit union space. We talk about how Innovative Business Solutions helps credit unions build and grow commercial lending programs without having to develop all the expertise and infrastructure in-house, with Mark breaking down some of the biggest concerns that credit unions have around commercial lending—including risk, cost, and staffing—and explaining how a collaborative CUSO model can help address those barriers. Throughout our conversation, Mark and I spend time talking about one of his biggest passions: affordable housing. He shares why he believes credit unions have an important role to play in addressing the housing crisis and highlights Duome and its innovative approach to helping more people overcome the affordability gap when purchasing a home. We also discuss ways credit unions can become more involved in local housing initiatives beyond traditional community service efforts. As we wrap up the conversation, we look ahead at what’s next for IBS, including continued collaboration with business partners, and, of course, as per usual, we wrap things up with some rapid-fire questions about leadership, mentoring, fishing, favorite cities, a book recommendation, and finding balance between work and life. Perhaps most importantly, Mark and I talk about the idea of “coopetition”—how organizations can work together to solve common problems, even when they’re competing in the same market. Enjoy my conversation with Mark Cox!  Connect with Mark: Mark Cox, President and CEO at Innovative Business Solutions https://ibscu.com/ Mark: LinkedIn Innovative Business Solutions: LinkedIn Show notes from this episode: Shout-out: Christiaan Barnard Place mentioned: South Africa Place mentioned: North Carolina Place mentioned: Columbia, South Carolina Shout-out: Duome Place mentioned: San Diego, CA Place mentioned: San Antonio, TX Book mentioned: The Gales of November by John U. Bacon Song mentioned: “The Wreck of Edmund Fitzgerald” by Gordon Lightfoot Place mentioned: Great Lakes Place mentioned: Lake Erie In this episode: [0:53] - Hear how Mark initially dreamed of becoming a heart surgeon before discovering his passion for commercial lending. [2:40] - We learn how IBS provides comprehensive back-office support for credit unions engaged in commercial and business lending. [4:26] - IBS also addresses commercial lending concerns by providing expertise, reducing risk, and demonstrating a strong underwriting record. [5:37] - Furthermore, IBS lowers commercial lending costs by sharing expenses, capping fees, and providing back-office support. [8:42] - Mark highlights Duome’s innovative program for making homeownership more affordable via shared equity. [10:08] - Mark encourages credit unions to become more involved in affordable housing initiatives within their communities. [13:04] - Hear how IBS is expanding collaborative relationships to offer credit unions innovative, affordable business services while managing risk. [14:35] - Mark credits numerous mentors with shaping his professional and personal growth, while mentoring others invisibly. [17:26] - The Gales of November is a book that offers lessons about boundaries, overreaching, and knowing when to quit. [18:50] - Mark advocates separating work and home life, though remote work makes maintaining those boundaries harder. [20:00] - Mark champions CUSO collaboration and “coopetition” while encouraging credit unions to diversify via commercial lending.

  5. Oct 2

    Human by Design - PixelSpoke

    “The credit unions that will stand out are going to be the ones that use technology to make the human experience better.” - Katie Stone Thank you for tuning in to The CUInsight Network, with your host, Robbie Young, Vice President of Strategic Growth at CUInsight. In The CUInsight Network, we take a deeper dive with the thought leaders who support the credit union community. We discuss issues and challenges facing credit unions and identify best practices to learn and grow together. My guests on today’s show are Katie Stone and Dave Drouin of PixelSpoke. Katie is the CEO and co-owner while Dave is the President and co-owner, and they were both on the show two years ago when we talked about credit union websites. This time, however, I wanted to take that conversation a step further: What can a credit union website communicate about who you are beyond your products and services? Katie and Dave make a compelling case that a website should be much more than a place to check rates, apply for a loan, or open an account. It should be one of the clearest expressions of your brand and a place where members and prospective members can get a sense of your people, your community, your values, and what makes your credit union different. Throughout our conversation, the three of us talk about the balance between conversion and connection, including some surprisingly simple ways that credit unions can make their websites more relevant and distinctive. Dave shares some examples from PixelSpoke clients that show how things such as localized imagery, member photography, community landmarks, and flexible homepage content can make a meaningful difference without requiring a massive redesign, and, of course, we talk about AI. As more of the internet becomes automated and AI-generated, Katie explains why being genuinely human may become even more important, and we discuss how credit unions can use AI as a tool without allowing their content to lose the stories, expertise, and community knowledge that make them unique. As we wrap up the episode, Katie and Dave look ahead to the future and share their thoughts on finding the right balance between technology and the human side of financial services. Technology isn't going away, and credit unions can't afford to fall behind, but there are important questions to ask about how it's used and who it ultimately serves. We ultimately close with a simple challenge: Take a fresh look at your website and ask yourself whether someone would recognize your credit union if the logo and product names were removed. If the answer is no, then Katie and Dave have some ideas about where to start. Enjoy my conversation with Katie Stone and Dave Dourin! Connect with Katie & Dave: Katie Stone, CEO & co-owner of PixelSpoke Dave Drouin, President & co-owner of PixelSpoke pixelspoke.coop Katie: LinkedIn | Email Dave: LinkedIn | Email PixelSpoke: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube Show notes from this episode: Previous episode mentioned: Credit union websites - PixelSpoke Podcast mentioned: The Remarkable Credit Union Podcast Shout-out: Google Shout-out: Mirastar Federal Credit Union Shout-out: EastRise Credit Union Place mentioned: Vermont Shout-out: Point West Credit Union Shout-out: Abilene Teachers Federal Credit Union Shout-out: Lego In this episode: [1:05] - Katie and Dan discuss how credit union websites should build trust by showcasing their unique values, relationships, and commitment to their communities. [4:40] - Dave argues that credit unions can differentiate themselves by tailoring website content and tools that recognize the needs of their communities. [6:12] - AI can help improve efficiency, but authentic, human-centered content still gives credit unions a meaningful advantage. [9:28] - Dave points out that local imagery and flexible website content offer simple ways to better reflect and engage with communities. [12:20] - Successful digital experiences combine technology with human qualities that define credit unions.  [14:12] - It’s important for credit unions to thoughtfully adopt technology while preserving their values and commitment to members.  [16:03] - In closing, credit unions should embrace their unique identity while continually refocusing on those they serve.

  6. Sep 30

    Preparing for the Firefight - Allied Solutions

    “Stop pretending you can prevent every attack. You will be attacked.” – David Ralstin Thank you for tuning in to The CUInsight Network, with your host, Robbie Young, Vice President of Strategic Growth at CUInsight. In The CUInsight Network, we take a deeper dive with the thought leaders who support the credit union community. We discuss issues and challenges facing credit unions and identify best practices to learn and grow together. My guest on today’s show is David Ralstin, VP and Chief Information Security Officer at Allied Solutions. He joins me to discuss cybersecurity threats which are moving faster than ever. Having a disaster recovery policy sitting on a shelf isn’t enough, and David discusses what credit unions can do to help ensure that they’re prepared for that moment when something goes wrong. Throughout our conversation, we look at how organizations can validate their recovery capabilities beyond a written plan or an annual tabletop exercise, with David explaining why continuous monitoring is so important and how measuring mean time to detect can provide a better picture of an organization’s preparedness, especially as AI-enabled attacks accelerate the timeline from reconnaissance to attack from weeks to hours or even minutes. We also discuss third-party and fourth-party risk, including why operational transparency and consistent communication are so incredibly important when a vendor experiences an incident. From there, we dig into the limitations of relying too heavily on compliance and annual SOC audits when security risks are constantly changing. One of the biggest takeaways, though, is the importance of having an incident command structure in place before a crisis happens, and David shares why organizations need clear communication channels, predetermined decision-making authority, and even an out-of-band way to communicate if their usual systems have been compromised, and yes, the idea of attackers monitoring the very channels defenders are using to respond is just as scary as it sounds! As we wrap up the conversation, David reminds us that even setting aside an hour to think through “what if?” scenarios can make a real difference. After all, we don’t have to predict every possible attack, but we can make thoughtful decisions before we’re forced to make them in the middle of a firefight. He highlights the fact that organizations should define incident-response authority in advance so that critical decisions aren't delayed until a crisis is already taking place. It's so important to have a clear decision-making “script” or plan in place as it prevents anxiety and chaos from slowing the response. Enjoy my conversation with David Ralstin! Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com. Connect with David: David Ralstin, VP and Chief Information Security Officer at Allied Solutions alliedsolutions.net David: LinkedIn Allied Solutions: LinkedIn | Facebook Show notes from this episode: Shout-out: Microsoft Teams Shout-out: Slack Shout-out: Jira In this episode: [1:03] - David explains how disaster recovery requires continuously validating operations rather than only relying on point-in-time assessments. [2:28] - Hear why effective detection capabilities are crucial for identifying and responding quickly to increasingly inevitable attacks. [4:22] - AI-enabled attacks can turn weeks of reconnaissance into just hours or even minutes, making transparency all the more important. [6:37] - David reminds us that while compliance is important, continuous validation is needed to keep pace with rapidly changing security risks. [8:25] - Hear how incident command structures clarify communication and decision-making responsibilities before a crisis gets even worse. [11:39] - Developing plans before incidents occur creates a more effective and defensible response when crises arise!

  7. Sep 18

    Workplace Connection - CU Student Choice

    "The collaborative and information-sharing culture within the credit union space has been very enlightening and inspiring to me." - Doug Farry Thank you for tuning in to The CUInsight Network, with your host, Robbie Young, Vice President of Strategic Growth at CUInsight. In The CUInsight Network, we take a deeper dive with the thought leaders who support the credit union community. We discuss issues and challenges facing credit unions and identify best practices to learn and grow together. My guest on today’s show is Doug Farry, SVP of CU Student Choice and Director of the Employer Choice Platform. He joins me for this conversation to talk about how the workplace could become one of the most meaningful places for credit unions to build relationships with members again. We talk about how Employer Choice is bringing credit union services directly into an employee’s benefits ecosystem and why that could make a real difference for people who are living paycheck to paycheck. Doug explains why the platform started with a no-credit-check small-dollar loan designed to help employees handle the kinds of unexpected expenses that can quickly become financial crises, from car repairs and medical deductibles to home repairs, and we discuss how payroll-connected repayment changes the equation, why this approach is different from early wage access, and how credit unions can still practice responsible underwriting without relying on a traditional credit score. Throughout our conversation, we take a step back and look at the history behind the idea. Credit unions were originally built around relationships between employers and employees, and Doug sees Employer Choice as a chance to reconnect with that part of the movement’s roots, while creating new ways to serve people who may not have many good financial options. The possibilities even go beyond emergency lending, and Doug shares how the platform could eventually support payroll-deposited savings, direct deposit incentives, and other services that help employees build a stronger financial foundation rather than simply solve the crisis in front of them. As we wrap up the episode, we also get to know Doug outside of his work. He discusses his appreciation for a good bottle of bourbon, two cities that he loves to visit, the book that made a lasting impression on him, and why he has to deliberately schedule time with his family. Most of all, though, Doug shares what has surprised and inspired him about the credit union movement: its willingness to collaborate, share ideas, and learn from one another. Enjoy my conversation with Doug Farry! Connect with Doug: Doug Farry, SVP of CU Student Choice and Director of the Employer Choice Platform creditunions.studentchoice.org employerchoice.org Doug: LinkedIn CU Student Choice: LinkedIn | Facebook | X | Email Show notes from this episode: Shout-out: NASA Shout-out: MetLife Shout-out: UnitedHealthcare Shout-out: FICO Shout-out: Medicare Shout-out: Social Security Shout-out: Pew Research Center Shout-out: Bank of America Shout-out: Wells Fargo Shout-out: Doug’s first boss Shout-out: Randall Smith Place mentioned: New Orleans, LA Place mentioned: Prague, Czech Republic Event mentioned: World War II Shout-out: Mardi Gras Shout-out: Jazzfest Book mentioned: Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert Shout-out: Edith Wharton Book mentioned: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand In this episode: [0:52] - Doug reveals that there was a time when he wanted to be a mission control operator for NASA. [2:20] - Hear how Doug’s varied career led him to develop Employer Choice with CU Student Choice. [4:33] - Doug explains how Employer Choice connects credit unions with employers, integrating financial services into employees’ existing benefits platforms. [6:39] - We learn how payroll integration leads to more efficient credit union services, beginning with small-dollar loans repaid via deductions. [8:19] - Employer Choice helps financially struggling employees access responsible small-dollar loans. [11:42] - Doug explains how payroll data enables instant eligibility verification and automated loan repayment regardless of an employee’s credit score. [14:37] - Unlike early wage access, Employer Choice offers larger loans repaid gradually via payroll deductions. [17:35] - Though credit scores aren’t required, Employer Choice still underwrites both employers and employees through alternative criteria. [19:10] - Doug explains how credit unions can customize underwriting rules based on employer stability, circumstances, and repayment capacity. [21:57] - Credit unions historically served employer groups, although many eventually became more community-based. [23:19] - We learn how Employer Choice reconnects credit unions with employers while expanding services such as payroll savings and emergency funds. [25:43] - Credit unions can help encourage direct deposits, helping to strengthen relationships with employers and employees with integrated benefits. [27:09] - What is Doug’s focus for the road ahead? [29:28] - Doug credits his first boss at his first job as having been a great leader. [31:48] - Hear what Doug loves about New Orleans. [34:27] - Doug prioritizes family by deliberately scheduling dedicated time. [35:24] - Doug expresses that he values the credit union industry’s collaborative culture and welcomes ideas for expanding services.

  8. Sep 16

    Data First, People Always - NextLeft

    “Taking their ground game and putting it online is where credit unions have a lot of room to win against banks and fintechs.” – John McKusick Thank you for tuning in to The CUInsight Network, with your host, Robbie Young, Vice President of Strategic Growth at CUInsight. In The CUInsight Network, we take a deeper dive with the thought leaders who support the credit union community. We discuss issues and challenges facing credit unions and identify best practices to learn and grow together. My guest on today’s show is John McKusick, CEO of NextLeft. He joins me for this episode to discuss what it takes for credit unions to stand out in a world where most people begin their search online. He shares how his path to leading a digital marketing agency is anything but conventional because he originally dreamed of becoming a professional surfer, discovered a love for computers and design, and eventually built one of the country’s largest independent digital marketing firms. Along the way, he became increasingly interested in using marketing to provide genuine value rather than simply chasing clicks, and today, that philosophy shapes NextLeft’s work with credit unions! Throughout our conversation, John and I discuss why credit unions have a significant advantage that banks and fintechs can’t easily replicate: their local relationships and community presence, and we talk about how bringing that “ground game” online via hyper-local digital strategies can help credit unions become more visible to the people they’re trying to serve. We look at the credit union website in a different way—as the organization’s main branch rather than simply a digital brochure, with John explaining how websites can better serve existing members while also addressing the questions and concerns that keep potential new members from joining. We also get into data and AI, including how credit unions can use search data to understand what matters to their communities without sacrificing the human connection that makes them distinctive. As we wrap up the conversation, John shares what’s ahead for NextLeft, including the development of DuckDive AI and its effort to connect marketing and operational data, and, of course, we have fun with some rapidfire questions and talk surfing destinations, entrepreneurship, leadership, and finding a healthy relationship between work and life. John also leaves us with a challenge that I believe is worth hearing: credit unions have what it takes to win, and now they need to show people why. Enjoy my conversation with John McKusick! Connect with John: John McKusick, CEO of NextLeft nextleft.com John: LinkedIn NextLeft: LinkedIn Show notes from this episode: Place mentioned: San Diego, CA Shout-out: Netflix Shout-out: Discount Nutrition Store Shout-out: Gear Interactive Shout-out: universities.com Shout-out: Home Bay Shout-out: DuckDive AI Shout-out: John’s mom Shout-out: John’s sister Place mentioned: Nicaragua Place mentioned: The Maldives Place mentioned: Mexico Place mentioned: Wilmington, NC Place mentioned: Texas Place mentioned: Orlando, FL Book mentioned: Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike by Phil Knight Shout-out: Nike Shout-out: Michael Jordan In this episode: [0:51] - John reveals that he loves swimming and originally had hoped to be a professional surfer. [2:48] - John reflects on having built a successful digital marketing career, ultimately having founded NextLeft to deliver more valuable, effective agency work. [4:34] - NextLeft helps credit unions increase online visibility by turning their local community presence into a digital advantage. [6:46] - John asserts that credit union websites should seamlessly serve existing members while removing barriers for new members. [9:40] - Search data and AI help credit unions understand community needs and uncover valuable marketing opportunities. [11:08] - Looking ahead to the future, John discusses DuckDive AI and how it connects marketing and operational data. [13:12] - We discover why John looks up to his mom. [14:13] - John reveals some of his favorite surfing destinations as well as favorite places to travel for work. [16:06] - John recommends the book Shoe Dog. [16:54] - John believes that there doesn’t always need to be a separation between your personal life and your work life. [18:22] - John urges credit unions to embrace their strengths, increase online visibility, and show people how they can win.

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Welcome to The CUInsight Network. In each episode we have wide-ranging conversations with thought leaders who support the credit union community. We identify issues and challenges facing credit unions and identify best practices. The goal of The CUInsight Network is to take a deeper dive with people and find the gems we can all learn and grow our credit unions from. Thank you for tuning in. Enjoy!

Information

  • Creator
    CUInsight | Credit Union
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    159
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The CUInsight Network
  • Show Website
    The CUInsight Network

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