Credit Union Strategy Podcast CU Strategy Forum & 454 Creative

In this thought-provoking episode, our guest, Ashish Garg, CEO of Altropy, takes us on a journey to explore the evolving human behavior in the credit union industry amidst a post-COVID world. Ashish sheds light on the significant shifts in human connection and how credit unions can adapt to meet the changing needs of their members.
We begin by examining the traditional credit union experience and its emphasis on personal relationships and human connection. Ashish acknowledges that the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted this dynamic, removing the ability for in-person interactions that credit union members value. However, he believes innovation and technology can bridge this gap without compromising the human touch.
Drawing from his deep industry knowledge, Ashish shares inspiring examples of credit unions that have successfully leveraged technology to maintain human connection despite physical distancing. He highlights the importance of a distributed workforce, remote call centers, and efficient digital conversation platforms as essential tools for credit unions to offer personalized support to their members.
Join us for an eye-opening conversation as we delve into how credit unions can navigate behavioral shifts, leverage technology, and embrace the new normal to continue providing a seamless and human-centered experience. Discover strategies and insights that will empower credit unions to survive and thrive in a post-COVID world, while never losing sight of the essential human connection that sets them apart.

Becky Reed is a credit union industry veteran with more than two decades of experience leading multiple areas in credit unions including retail operations, lending, back office operations, and IT.
Most recently, she has served as the CEO of Lone Star Credit Union in Dallas, Texas. There, she led game-changing service improvements through the use of technology which landed Lone Star Credit Union the CUNA Technology Council Award for Excellence in Technology in 2019. Becky was also featured on the cover of CU Magazine in the Summer 2020 edition. Continuing to blaze a trail, Lone Star Credit Union launched the first Non-Custodial Crypto Exchange for credit union members in August 2022.
Becky is the co-founder of the Credit Union Service Organization, PureIT CUSO and serves as its Board Chairman. She is the Board Chairman of NACUSO and has served on the Advisory Board for Corelation, Inc, Bankjoy, and Members Mobile. She also serves as the President of BlockAdvocates, a non-profit dedicated to Crypto education for Credit Unions. Helping credit unions collaborate and support each other is her passion.
Today, Becky provides technology, innovation, and strategy consulting for credit unions and CUSOs through her firm BRaaS or Becky Reed as a Service. She also maintains leadership roles at both PureIT CUSO and BankSocial.
CONTACT
Becky Reed - https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-reed-50056518/
PODCAST SPONSOR
454 Creative is a leading marketing agency for Credit Unions. Whether your CU needs a full website redesign, a brand refresh, new member campaigns, or a Hubspot marketing automation implementation, 454 Creative brings all our creativity, strategy, and expertise to credit union leaders and their members.

Tena Lozano is the executive director of the Richard Myles Johnson Foundation, which is the state credit union foundation for California and Nevada. She is responsible for administering and executing the RMJ Foundation’s mission of enabling credit unions to offer financial education in their communities. The Foundation’s signature program is “Bite of Reality®,” featuring the Bite of Reality® App, which is a fun, hands-on simulation that appeals to teens while giving them a taste of real-world financial realities.
She recently completed a term on the National Credit Union Foundation board of directors, representing the State Credit Union Foundation Network.
In the area of financial education, Tena serves on the California Department of Education’s Business Education Resources Group (BERG), helping to draft standards and curriculum for Career Technical Education; and serves on the board of the California Jump$tart Coalition, where she is chairman.
She has more than 30 years’ experience in the credit union movement, including work in public relations at WesCorp and the California & Nevada Credit Union Leagues. She received a bachelor’s degree in communication arts from California Polytechnic University, Pomona, and graduated from Western CUNA Management School in 2013. She also received her Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor and Credit Union Development Educator certifications in 2022.
PODCAST SPONSOR
454 Creative is a leading marketing agency for Credit Unions. Whether your CU needs a full website redesign, a brand refresh, new member campaigns, or a Hubspot marketing automation implementation, 454 Creative brings all our creativity, strategy, and expertise to credit union leaders and their members.

Hector Martin is currently the President/CEO of County Schools Federal Credit Union bringing with him more than 10 years of experience in financial services and credit union leadership. He founded the Emerging Credit Union Leaders Council in 2020 and received the California & Nevada Credit Union League’s Tomorrow Star Award in 2021. Currently serving as an Associate Board Member of the Richard Miles Johnson Foundation, Hector is an active and passionate advocate of the credit union movement. 
Hector holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Cal State Long Beach and graduated with honors from Western CUNA Management School in 2021. He is an MBA candidate at California State University Channel Islands and is expected to graduate in 2024.
 In his spare time, Hector enjoys powerlifting, reading, and driving along the California coast.
CONTACT
Hector Martin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hector-m-b6571360/

PODCAST SPONSOR
454 Creative is a leading marketing agency for Credit Unions. Whether your CU needs a full website redesign, a brand refresh, new member campaigns, or a Hubspot marketing automation implementation, 454 Creative brings all our creativity, strategy, and expertise to credit union leaders and their members.

John Dearing is a Managing Director and Partner - Capstone Strategic, Inc. and leads Capstone’s client engagement teams and operations while advising clients on strategic external growth alternatives (acquisitions, investments, and partnerships). For nearly two decades, John has worked with credit unions, CUSO leaders, and board members on developing and implementing strategic growth plans, due diligence training, market and prospect evaluation, valuation, and the prioritization of growth initiatives. His experience includes facilitating acquisitions and strategic deals for PSCU, RenoFi, Ongoing Operations, and South Carolina Financial Solutions. He works closely with CUSOs and forward-thinking credit unions to provide the benefit of his expertise on relevant and timely topics including analytics, artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, and fintechs.
CONTACT
John Dearing - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdearingcfa/
PODCAST SPONSOR
454 Creative is a leading marketing agency for Credit Unions. Whether your CU needs a full website redesign, a brand refresh, new member campaigns, or a Hubspot marketing automation implementation, 454 Creative brings all our creativity, strategy, and expertise to credit union leaders and their members.
Design Your BrandDefine Your StrategyDeliver Your Story

Fintech Transformers: Rise of PrimacyIn the ever-transforming battle for customers/members, fintechs seek to be the new rulers of the banking universe. And the tides have turned. From 2019 to 2022, digital banks have the largest growth rates of primary relationships. Now, for the first time ever, more consumers in the Gen Y and Gen Z age groups name a digital bank as their primary institution than all of the community banks and credit unions combined! Experience live demonstrations of the banking apps that are reimagining the definition of PFI as Primary Financial Interactions, instead of Primary Financial Institution, and changing consumer attitudes and banking behaviors.
What You’ll Learn
• Examine the evolution of AI powered chat bots, such as Erica from Bank of America, and how they are reducing complexity of the basic user experiences of mobile banking.
• How challenger banks like MoneyLion, use unique fintech features designed for low-income designated segments, including friendly subscription pricing strategies instead of the penalty-based fee structures that dominate traditional banking.
• What the intersection of retail and payments looks like from Amazon One, an innovative new merchant payment system from Amazon that uses a person’s palm to reinvent the shopping and payment experience.
• Why the secret to customer/member growth will lie in understanding the changing role of banking products in the financial lives of today’s consumers.
CONTACT
Dave DeFazio - https://www.linkedin.com/in/davedefazio/
PODCAST SPONSOR
454 Creative is a leading marketing agency for Credit Unions. Whether your CU needs a full website redesign, a brand refresh, new member campaigns, or a Hubspot marketing automation implementation, 454 Creative brings all our creativity, strategy, and expertise to credit union leaders and their members.
Design Your BrandDefine Your StrategyDeliver Your Story