When it comes to pointing out top items credit unions need to be thinking about in regards to data analytics and data transformations this year, we went straight to the source: AdvantEdge Analytics Director of Client Relations Emily Engstrom and AdvantEdge Analytics Implementations Manager Holly Karpinske.

Both Holly and Emily came on the show to share what these top items are, which have been amplified because of the rapid acceleration of digital services at credit unions in 2020. They also provided advice for credit unions looking to getting started, as well as hurdles to cover, what makes an analytics implementation successful, common missteps credit unions have made in their digital transformation journeys -- and how to avoid them.

Emily and Holly also shared how the digital acceleration of 2020 impacted credit unions’ data analytics and transformations and why it's significant for success in this area in 2021.

A very timely conversation with Emily and Holly. Check it out and let us know your thoughts. And watch the entire episode below for all the details.

World Council of Credit Unions President/CEO Brian Branch announced his retirement after spending 31 years with WOCCU serving credit unions on a global level. Brian has always been very generous with his time, sharing how credit unions worldwide continue to step up helping people in challenging situations -- virtual beacons of financial hope in their communities. How could you not be inspired?

After thousands, if not millions, of miles trekking the planet for three decades, Brian is handing off the baton to the next leader of WOCCU in July 2021 to continue the important work that lies ahead. Leading WOCCU since 2011, he has set a solid foundation for those who are fighting the good fight, helping people worldwide gain a firm financial footing that ultimately enhances communities and economies around them. It simply makes for a better world.

To get an inside look at his career and what drives him, Brian came on the show to share some of his experiences around the world -- fighting the good fight. He also talked about the rewards he sees from these efforts, which only stokes his passion that much more to help others on yet another continent. It's astonishing that Brian literally went to the ends of the earth to help people because that's what credit unions do.

Brian also discussed a few of his career highlights and achievements -- of which there are many (check out the press release). He also provided some advice for his successor, what he'll miss most about his job, and what's next for him in his next chapter of life -- and, yes, travel is on the docket.

There are so many really good people in this industry and Brian certainly rises to the top. This industry is better because of his efforts -- along with the WOCCU team. If you ever get a chance to sit down and talk with him about his worldly experiences, it is time well spent. That said, enjoy our conversation with Brian Branch.

Watch the entire episode with Brian below for all the details.

Emotional intelligence has become quite a hot topic in 2021 based on the year 2020 was. Many industries, credit unions included, are addressing how this issue impacts the traditional workplace -- and even today's remote workplace.

To get a better handle on emotional intelligence and how it affects a credit union's IT department, we invited Kyle Stutzman, VP & Co-founder of PURE IT Credit Union Services, and Wesley Williams, VP Information Technology at ValleyStar Credit Union. Wes and Kyle engaged in a lively debate during our conversation on how emotional intelligence is a game changer for credit union technology leadership.

We talked about what exactly is the definition of emotional intelligence, how it can manifest itself in the IT department, the dangers of emotional intelligence, how to bridge new emotional intelligence skills to ensure effective workplace communication -- in-house and remote, should we modify the Holy Grail of workplace etiquette, and much, much more.

Again, a very lively and entertaining debate between Wes and Kyle with tons of takeaways. Check it out and let us know your thoughts. And watch the entire episode below for all the details.

From time to time, we enjoy featuring new fintechs on CUbroadcast to showcase how they can fill in a much-needed gap to help credit unions better serve members in these ever-evolving times.

In today's episode, we feature a new fintech called UpSwot. UpSwot essentially helps credit unions better serve small- to mid-sized businesses through more efficient onboarding process, tracking system, and SMB dashboard -- all powered by data.

According to their website, the company's platform is an add-on to online banking and on-boarding that motivates 74% of SMBs and mid-market companies to provide API-enabled, opt-in, continuous access to the financial, sales, and marketing data within the apps they regularly use to run their businesses All the raw data shared is turned into standardized data which is continuously re-assessed to provide risk, marketing, and business insights for the benefit of both the financial institution and its small business audience.

We invited UpSwot's CEO Dmitry Norenko on the show to share how their platform works exactly with credit unions and banks to help SMBs excel, as well as what sparked its start, overall benefits, goals, and much, much more.

​Check it out and let us know your thoughts.

The fine folks at CU Members Mortgage have partnered with us at CUbroadcast to create a new, recurring show call "Mortgage Monthly." This monthly program will feature experts discussing the trends, issues, and events revolving around mortgage lending for credit unions.

We're really looking forward to bringing Mortgage Monthly to you to help you stay on top of lending topics that will help your members become homeowners and much, much more.

In our first episode, we invited CU Members Mortgage SVP Steve Hewins to recount mortgage lending events of 2020 during the pandemic and how it all will impact the home buying business in 2021. Some of the items we discussed include:

• surprising housing marketing performance in 2020
• rock bottom interest rates
• refinances off the charts
• home valuation through the roof
• lessons learned in 2020 that will help in 2021
• 2021 outlook

Check it out and let us know your thoughts. And watch the entire episode with Steve below for all the details. 
Stay tuned for next month's Mortgage Monthly -- live stream!