Strategic Resource Management Executive Vice President Michael Carter joined us on the show to share some midyear industry technology trends credit unions need to be aware of:

• AI
• Payments
• Data analytics
• Much more

Really good discussion here with Michael, as we took a deep dive on a few of these trends and their impending impact on credit unions midway through 2019 and going into 2020. Check it out and let us know your thoughts.

Lone Star Credit Union President/CEO Becky Reed joined us on the program to not only share and embrace her inner geekiness for anything tech but how her credit union has enhanced its member service beyond the branch -- way beyond the branch.

Becky discusses how Lone Star has upped its mobile branch game (its "Branch in a Box") with Good2go@work program, sending credit union staff directly to members with laptops that are essentially a full-service branch.

"In our industry we talk a lot about creating a frictionless experience for our members and this is our answer to that," Becky says. "We have branded this program 'Good2go@work' and send our employees out to the workplace for added convenience. Since our staff can access their work desktop they can provide full service to our members anywhere!"

She adds that Corelation's KeyStone (sponsor feature) has helped tremendously in delivering this mobile branching solution, which adds even more value to her credit union. Pretty cool stuff here, showing how Lone Star is leveraging technology to the fullest to better serve their members.

Check it out and let us know your thoughts. And see if you can spot Spock lurking over Becky's shoulder during our chat.

CO-OP Financial Services Chief Experience Officer Samantha Paxson and Chief People Officer Cheryl Middleton Jones stopped by the Studio Lounge to share some breaking news, announcing -- during the “Global Women’s Leadership Network Forum” at WCUC -- that CO-OP Financial Services will be funding the GLWN at a rate of $50,000 per year for the next 10 years -- $500,000 total.

Obviously, great news for both organizations for many reasons -- of which we discuss in this candid interview with Cheryl and Samantha. Check it out and let us know your thoughts.

NOTE: We had some issues with the video, so this is an audio version with some still shots to view during the conversation. Enjoy!

Carvana’s VP of Strategy Christina Keiser joined us to discuss Carvana's new partner lending platform for credit unions. Here's what we asked her:

• Can you tell us about Carvana’s new partner lending platform for credit unions?
• How does this new platform work?
• How does it benefit credit unions and ultimately their members?
• Why did Carvana create it?
• What are your goals launching this new lending platform for credit unions?

Check it out and let us know your thoughts.

CULedger CTO Darrell O’Donnell joined us on the program to discuss a recent blog post he penned: “Top Three Questions Credit Union CTOs Need Answered About Blockchain.”

Here's what we asked him:

• Is there a difference between blockchain and Bitcoin?
• Like with other cloud-based solutions, do I need to run a node in order to use a blockchain technology? 
• Why is an SSI-based solution different than other ID products our credit union already has for our website or call center?
• Why are these questions so important to credit unions today?
• What can CTOs do to reduce this cynicism? (look to what other forward-thinking credit unions are doing)
• Can you expand on this statement: “blockchain technology is not a digital banking strategy pipe dream”?

A very compelling chat with Darrell on hot, hot topic today. Check it out and let us know your thoughts.