Be sure to watch the entire interview located below the show notes.

Todd Marksberry, President/CEO of Canvas Credit Union and Board Chairman of Mountain West Credit Union Association (MWCUA), and Troy Stang, President/CEO of Northwest Credit Union Association (NWCUA), stopped by the show to share the news about a potential merger between Mountain West Credit Union Association and Northwest Credit Union Association.

Both Todd and Troy discussed what strategies sparked this idea, as the merger ball started rolling just after MWCUA President/CEO Scott Earl announced his retirement effective June 2022 (episode #2779).

They also talked about the benefits of combining these two organizations, looking to continue expanding credit union marketshare in both regions. NWCUA already has a 60% marketshare throughout Washington, Oregon, and Idaho but is always looking for more -- as well as spreading that share to the MWCUA states, as well.

Most importantly, they addressed how this merger will benefit the credit union members and expanding and enhancing the leagues' advocacy impact in each state.

Each Association also has a Foundation and Troy and Todd discussed how the combining of those two entities would work, along with  what the focus will be for each -- or as it becomes one.

Lastly, they talked about how the pending merger will increase the innovation, technology, and business solutions available to credit unions in both regions -- and how important this availability will be for the future of these credit unions to compete more effectively.

Very insightful talk with Troy and Todd on this proposed merger and its affects on the industry. Check it out and let us know your thoughts. And be sure to watch the entire interview below for all the details.

Be sure to watch the entire episode located below the show notes.

Maine Credit Union League President/CEO Todd Mason and Maine Credit Union League Financial Literacy Outreach Coordinator Jake Holmes joined us on the show to announce the launch of the league's annual “Maine Credit Unions' Campaign to End Hunger” for 2022.

According to Todd, the league has been conducting this campaign each year since 1990, raising more than $11 million overall -- $930,000 in 2021,  With 100% credit union participation in the state of Maine, they look to surpass the $1 million mark in 2022.

In addition, Jake discusses the league's partnerships with Good Shepherd Food Bank and New Ventures Maine to couple the End Hunger campaign with Financial Literacy Month (April 2022). He explains how the two initiatives complement each other and credit unions' major role in both.

Wonderful talk with Todd and Jake on the incredible they and all of Maine's credit unions (54 of them) are doing help end hunger in their state. Check it out and let us know your thoughts and don't forget to participate this year to help them surpass $1 million.

Be sure to watch the entire interview located below the show notes.

Most of us have seen ATMs dragged from their foundations by a truck and cable or an ATM smash-and-grab in a convenience store on the news or in a movie. It's shocking to see something like this happen. But today this destruction and theft is happening more and more -- and credit unions need to take precautions to prevent this from happening to their shops.

To get more details on this dangerous trend, Allied Solutions’ Vice President Risk Management Department Joette Colletts joined us on show. Joette discussed this recent increase in physical attacks on ATM ITMs -- just how are these bad actors doing this and getting away with it.

She also talked about why there is an increase and what credit unions can do to protect these machines from either being stolen and/or being destroyed.

Check it out and let us know your thoughts. And be sure to watch the entire episode below for all the details.

Lastly, if you have any questions or concerns about your credit union's ATMs/ITMs being attacked, Joette provided this email address to send your questions:  risk_specialist@alliedsolutions.net.

Be sure to watch the entire livecast recording located below the show notes.

CU Members Mortgage's Executive Sales Consultant Desiree Hessel joined us for this month's Mortgage Monthly LIVE to share her insights on disruptions affecting today's credit union mortgage lending practices.

Some of those disruptions Desiree discussed included higher rates, higher home prices, lack of inventory, high-priced materials to build homes, outrageous bidding wars, etc.

She also addressed how the high cost of living in today's high-inflation environment has placed a big burden on would-be homebuyers. In addition, there are the cash buyers that immediately knock out the traditional homebuyers, which throws a wrench in to the process, as well.

But Desiree doesn't leave us without some solutions to these current disruptions credit unions and their members are experiencing. She delivers plenty of creative options on which credit unions to educate their members.

Really good information and takeaways here from Desiree, as she also shares some person experiences in this area being a former credit union loan originator at Patelco Credit Union. She plenty of real-world examples to share.

Check it out and let us know your thoughts. And be sure to watch the entire livecast recording below for all the details.

​FlowTracker Chief Marketing Officer Boris Masip stopped by the show to share his insights on today's deposit attrition -- why credit unions can't afford to ignore it. Boris stated that 90% of attrition goes underreported or unreported at financial institutions nationwide.

He talked about why this issue is so significant right now and what would happen if credit unions ignored this issue -- and what can be done to alleviate it.

Check it out and let us know your thoughts.