The CUInsight Network

CUInsight | Credit Union
  • 5.0 (12)
  • BUSINESS NEWS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

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. MAR 6

    CU Unplugged - DCUC & KFCU

    “We engage … and encourage more thinking, more ideas, more innovation.” - Tony Hernandez 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 Anthony “Tony” Hernandez, President and CEO of the Defense Credit Union Council and a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, along with Maggie Sayer, President and CEO of Keys Federal Credit Union and DCUC Board Chair. They join me for this episode of the podcast to discuss CU Unplugged! CU Unplugged is not your standard conference with a ballroom, a rigid agenda, and politely timed applause. CU Unplugged is intentionally unstructured without keynote headliners or prepackaged talking points. As Tony puts it, the attendees are the agenda. In our conversation, we cover why collaboration is the credit union movement’s superpower and why traditional formats don’t always give that superpower room to work. Maggie shares why the open-to-all approach matters so much to her, especially coming from an IT background before becoming a CEO. With facilitators guiding so many outcomes and, of course, AI capturing key discussions, CU Unplugged isn’t just talk; it’s truly a launchpad in that insights from this event will directly shape breakout sessions at DCUC’s annual conference! As we wrap up the episode, we also get into timely issues such as, again, AI, crypto, governance, and what “AI” even means in practice. The smaller, intentionally designed setting of CU Unplugged creates space for honest questions and renewed curiosity! By the end of our conversation, one theme absolutely stands out: energy - energy, confidence, and the motivation to not just absorb ideas but to also carry them back, share them, and lead with them! Enjoy my conversation with Tony and Maggie! Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com. Connect with Anthony: Anthony R. Hernandez, President & C.E.O. of Defense Credit Union Council; Ret. USAF Colonel dcuc.org Anthony: LinkedIn DCUC: LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube Connect with Maggie: Maggie Sayer, President & C.E.O. of Keys Federal Credit Union; DCUC Board Chair; Navy / Coast Guard Representative keysfcu.org Maggie: LinkedIn KFCU: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X | YouTube

    13 min

  2. FEB 25

    Agentic AI - Scienaptic AI

    “We know that trust is non-negotiable.” - Vinay Bhaskar 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 Patrick McElhenie, Chief Growth Officer and Vinay Bhaskar, Chief Operating Officer of Scienaptic AI. We discuss where lending is headed and why the next leap in AI could fundamentally change how credit unions operate. In our conversation, Patrick and Vinay explain how Scienaptic helps credit unions approve more loans while reducing risk and improving members’ experiences. We learn how Scienaptic’s platform considers the full life cycle of the member so that decisions are not isolated. We then dig into the main topic of the episode: agentic AI, with Patrick breaking it down into simple terms for us. While traditional AI helps answer “Should we approve this loan?” agentic AI asks, “What should we do next?” Agentic AI can coordinate workflows across systems while keeping humans firmly in control. As we wrap up the episode, Vinay also shares where credit unions will first feel the impact, especially within the first 60-90 days. He projects fewer false declines, more targeted engagement, and teams spending less time chasing data and more time working directly with members. We talk about explainability, audit trails, compliance guardrails, and what “governed autonomy” really looks like in practice. Finally, in closing, Patrick shares what he sees for Scienaptic’s future on the road ahead. Enjoy my conversation with Patrick McElhenie and Vinay Bhaskar! Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com. Connect with Patrick: Patrick McElhenie, Chief Growth Officer at Scienaptic AI scienaptic.ai Patrick: LinkedIn Scienaptic AI: LinkedIn | YouTube Connect with Vinay: Vinay Bhaskar, Chief Operating Officer at Scienaptic AI scienaptic.ai Vinay: LinkedIn Scienaptic AI: LinkedIn | YouTube In this episode: [1:11] - Patrick explains how Scienaptic enables fair, inclusive lending that boosts growth without increasing operational burden. [4:14] - Vinay reveals that their platform delivers consistent, context-driven decisions across the entire member journey. [6:52] - Hear how agentic AI moves lending from recommendation to coordinated, human-guided action. [10:08] - Early gains include faster approvals, fewer false declines, and real-time portfolio action. [13:17] - Vinay adds that built-in governance ensures explainability, auditability, and human oversight in every AI decision. [15:56] - With governed autonomy, credit unions control automation while strengthening member relationships [17:02] - Patrick discusses some of Scienaptic’s plans for the future.

    19 min

  3. FEB 20

    The Messy Middle - Coviance

    “Whoever provides the ultimate user experience wins at the end of the day.” - Omar Jordan 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 Omar Jordan, founder and CEO of Coviance. He shares how an unconventional path, fueled by curiosity, problem-solving, and what he openly calls “extreme ADHD,” led him from subprime lending in the early 2000s to founding what’s now Coviance! His story that he shares in this episode is truly a reminder that the credit union movement has always attracted people who see friction and feel compelled to fix it. In our conversation, Omar and I talk about his early days and what he learned when the economy collapsed—the culture shock that he experienced when he first stepped into credit unions and saw how many processes were still held together by spreadsheets, sticky notes, and fax machines. Omar realized that members weren’t frustrated by rates or products nearly as much as they were confused by silence, delays, and a lack of transparency once they clicked “submit.” We also discuss what he calls the “messy middle” of lending, spending time on why modernizing home equity isn’t about swapping out a LOS but is about questioning old assumptions that no longer serve members or staff. We also get into a topic that can make people uncomfortable: pricing, with Omar making a strong case that members aren’t chasing cheap but are chasing clarity, speed, and service! As we wrap up the episode, Omar shares lessons learned from building a company, raising kids, and realizing that success looks different at 25 than it does at 45. He even reveals what was on his Spotify Wrapped this past year! Enjoy my conversation with Omar Jordan! Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com. Connect with Omar: Omar Jordan, founder and C.E.O. of Coviance coviance.com Omar: LinkedIn Coviance: LinkedIn | Facebook | X

    23 min

  4. FEB 6

    Effective Cybersecurity - Synergent

    “Cybersecurity really is just another risk. I think where we complicate it sometimes is in the language we use to talk about it.” - Steve Torino 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 Steve Torino, Chief Information Security Officer at Synergent. Steve’s path to cybersecurity was not a straight line, and he didn’t grow up dreaming about credit unions or information security. What stayed constant, though, was a deep curiosity about technology and how systems work, which eventually carried him from community banking to national payment processing and ultimately to Synergent. In our conversation, we spend a lot of time talking about what effective cybersecurity governance actually looks like for credit unions and why it is so important. Steve breaks down how governance starts at the board level, how expectations flow through management, and why cybersecurity should be treated like any other form of enterprise risk. We also dig into collaboration and information sharing—one of the credit union movement’s biggest strengths, and Steve points to leagues and professional groups as ways that credit unions can learn from one another. As we wrap up the episode, Steve talks about the mentor that influenced his life, how he loves traveling to Dallas, recommends a cybersecurity book that every can use, and more! Enjoy my conversation with Steve Torino! Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com. Connect with Steve: Steve Torino, Chief Information Security Officer of Synergent synergentcorp.com Steve: LinkedIn Synergent: LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube Book mentioned: Cybersecurity for Everyone by Cathy Olieslaeger

    19 min

  5. JAN 23

    Secure Tomorrows - Securian Financial

    “Securian holds a steadfast commitment to its customers, partners, and the broader community by honoring its promises and insuring dependable protection.” – Cynthia Billingsley-Smart 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 Cynthia Billingsley-Smart, Customer Benefit Payments Manager at Securian Financial, whose journey is as inspiring as it is insightful. She has built a career that truly makes an impact, moving from examiner to senior specialist, trainer, auditor, supervisor, and now manager. She discusses what it really means to support credit unions and their members, and Cynthia reflects on Securian's purpose statement to build secure tomorrows. In our conversation, we talk about how Securian guides the way that they deliver protection products that make a measurable difference when members face unexpected challenges, and Cynthia highlights the fact that partnerships and product innovations aren’t just about offerings; the claims experience is where trust is won or lost. Cynthia also discusses leadership, highlighting the mentors who shaped her path and the principles that she carries forward in her own role. As we wrap up the episode, Cynthia talks about her love of designer handbags, New Orleans, and the professional book that she recommends—The Digital Mindset, a book which she calls essential reading for anyone navigating today’s rapidly evolving work environment. If you’re curious about how thoughtful leadership, innovative solutions, and member-first approaches intersect in the credit union world, then you will enjoy my conversation with Cynthia Billingsley-Smart! Securian Financial is the marketing name for Securian Financial Group, Inc., and its subsidiaries. Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com. Connect with Cynthia: Cynthia Billingsley-Smart, Customer Benefit Payments Manager at Securian Financial securian.com Cynthia: LinkedIn Securian Financial: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

    16 min

  6. JAN 9

    Empathy - Strum

    “To connect with people emotionally is really the key to good work.” – Josh Streufert 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 Josh Streufert, Principal / Creative Director at Strum. Josh starts off by tracing his own path, which includes childhood dreams of archaeology, a strong Indiana Jones phase, film school, history studies, and eventually saying “yes” to a lot of opportunities that led him into creative leadership. It’s a reminder that most meaningful careers aren’t straight lines but are rather collections of curiosity, timing, and a willingness to try things before you fully know where they’ll lead! In our conversation, Josh and I discuss what Strum does for credit unions and why branding is so much more than just logos and taglines. Josh shares a simple but powerful idea: when products are largely the same, people choose the organization they like best. From there, we get into how storytelling, creativity, and culture shape trust, loyalty, and the overall member experience. A big part of our discussion is also centered around change and burnout, with Josh introducing a mindset shift: moving from being a “gatekeeper” who protects the status quo to a “curator” who actively searches for better answers. He also talks about the concept of an “optimal rate of failure” and why failing occasionally isn’t a weakness but evidence that you’re still growing. As we wrap up the conversation, Josh shares how he manages a work-life balance, what book he would recommend reading, and why he idolizes a former high school teacher! Enjoy my conversation with Josh Streufert! Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com. Connect with Josh: Josh Streufert, Principal / Creative Director at Strum strumagency.com Josh: LinkedIn Strum: LinkedIn Book mentioned: Empire of the Summer Moon by S.C. Gwynne Song mentioned: “Take Five” by Dave Brubeck TV series mentioned: The Office

    30 min

  7. JAN 5

    2026 Economic Outlook - TruStage

    “AI is going to be transformational for the credit union industry.” – Steve Rick 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.  Today's episode is the second part of a very special four-part series brought to you by TruStage! My guest on today’s show is Steve Rick, Chief Economist at TruStage. Listen as he takes a good look at what 2026 may have in store for credit unions and the members they serve. We start with where inflation, GDP, and the labor market appear to be heading—as well as why tariffs and immigration policy are likely to show up in everyday prices sooner than expected. Steve explains why inflation could push past 3% in early 2026 and how that reality continues to shape the Federal Reserve’s cautious approach to interest rates. Steve gets into what many leaders are watching the most closely: rate cuts. He breaks down why the Fed is expected to gradually ease rates throughout 2026, how close we are to what economists consider a “neutral” rate, and why concerns about rising unemployment are guiding such decisions. From there, our conversation turns to credit unions, with Steve sharing his outlook for loan growth, deposits, and earnings, and we talk about consumer uncertainty, the impact of loans made during the ultra-low-rate years, and what all of this means for balance sheets this coming year. As we wrap up the episode, Steve and I spend time talking about workforce trends and AI, where productivity gains are changing hiring patterns, reshaping call centers and lending teams, and even impacting recent college graduates trying to enter the job market. I hope that you enjoy my conversation with Steve Rick! Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com. Connect with Steve: Steve Rick, Chief Economist of TruStage trustage.com Steve: LinkedIn TruStage: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube In this episode: [0:52] - Steve reveals how tariffs and tighter immigration push prices higher, potentially lifting inflation above 3% in early 2026. [2:17] - Expect gradual Fed rate cuts toward a neutral 3% as officials guard against rising unemployment. [4:05] - Steve explains how loan growth improves to about 5%, while deposits rise 6%. [5:25] - Earnings improve as margins widen and costs stay in check, with AI playing an expanding role. [6:48] - AI-driven efficiency slows hiring, cutting projected workforce growth to roughly 1% next year. [7:59] - Steve further touches upon how recent graduates face tougher entry as unemployment nears 10%.

    9 min

  8. 12/19/2025

    Intentional AI - Optiri, a Trellance Company

    “Use AI where it can make a difference to the organization and members.” - Shane Butcher 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 Shane Butcher, Chief Operating Officer / Chief Risk Officer at Optiri, a Trellance Company. Shane and I talk about how a teenage dream of becoming a fighter pilot turned into a career spanning the military, IT, operations, and ultimately the credit union space. In our conversation, Shane walks us through the evolution of Optiri and what it means to optimize, refresh, and innovate credit union technology without losing sight of the people whom it’s supposed to serve. We talk about why credit unions have unique technology and security needs and how Opitiri focuses on doing the behind-the-scenes work so that credit unions can spend their energy on members. A big part of our conversation, though, is centered around AI as something already embedded in everyday tools. Shane breaks down what credit unions really should be thinking about right now—understanding where their data lives, tightening permissions, updating vendor policies, and choosing intentional use cases instead of chasing every new idea. We also break down how AI is reshaping cybersecurity on both sides, fueling more convincing attacks while also giving defenders faster, smarter ways to respond. As we wrap up the episode, Shane shares some lessons that he learned from a Navy mentor who led through calm problem-solving. He also talks about his love of good restaurants and unique experiences, why he loves Las Vegas, and has a book recommendation for us. Enjoy my conversation with Shane Butcher!

    20 min
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5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

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
    133
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The CUInsight Network
  • Show Website
    The CUInsight Network

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