“If we don't forget where we've come from, we're well positioned to continue to win share and growth in the future.” - Bill Gould

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 Bill Gould, president of Allied Solutions. Our conversation today couldn’t be timelier, because since his last appearance on the podcast, Bill has stepped into the role of president at Allied Solutions, giving him an even broader view of the challenges and opportunities that credit unions face today. We kick off by talking about his journey, the remarkable story behind Allied Solutions, and how the company continues to help credit unions grow, protect what they’ve built, recover when challenges come up, and stay prepared for what comes next.

Throughout our conversation, one theme that keeps coming up is the idea of “build, buy, or partner,” and Bill shares why there’s no one-size-fits-all formula for making those decisions. He explains how credit unions can determine which capabilities should remain core to their organization and which are better supported via outside expertise. In addition, Bill and I talk about one of the biggest realities facing the industry right now: growth through mergers, and Bill offers some practical insights into how credit unions can bring organizations together, thoughtfully integrate technology, and create member experiences that are consistent without losing sight of what makes each institution unique.

As we wrap up the episode, we look ahead at the trends shaping the future, including AI, compliance, regulation, automation, and the increasing pace of change across financial services, and, of course, we, as always, get to know our guest a little more personally with a series of rapid-fire questions. Bill shares the leaders who have influenced him most, the books that have shaped his perspective, why family experiences are always worth the investment, and how he stays connected with loved ones despite a demanding travel schedule. Enjoy my conversation with Bill Gould!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Connect with Bill:
Bill Gould, President of Allied Solutions
alliedsolutions.net
Bill: LinkedIn
Allied Solutions: LinkedIn | Facebook

Show notes from this episode:
Shout-out: Securian Financial
Shout-out: Missy Eldridge
Place mentioned: Saint Paul, Minnesota
Place mentioned: Carmel, Indiana
Place mentioned: Sarasota, Florida
Shout-out: PortX
Place mentioned: Denver, Colorado
Place mentioned: Texas
Shout-out: John Wooden
Shout-out: Minnesota Timberwolves
Place mentioned: Indiana
Shout-out: WNBA
Shout-out: Caitlin Clark
Shout-out: Bill’s family
Shout-out: Robbie’s kids
Place mentioned: Québec City, Québec; Canada
Place mentioned: Europe
Place mentioned: Atlantic Ocean
Book mentioned: Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done by Larry Bossidy & Ram Charan
Book mentioned: Good to Great by Jim Collins
Book mentioned: Rewired: The McKinsey Guide to Outcompeting in the Age of Digital and AI by Eric Lamarre, Kate Smaje, & Rodney Zemmel
Place mentioned: Washington

Previous guest mentioned in this episode: Bill Gould (episodes 1 & 42)

In this episode:
[0:55] - Bill reflects on how transitioning to Allied expanded his ability to serve credit unions.
[2:00] - Founded by Missy Eldridge, Allied helps credit unions grow, protect, recover, and evolve.
[5:22] - Bill argues that credit unions should strategically balance building, buying, and partnering based on unique strengths.
[7:44] - Partnerships such as PortX help speed up integration and lend innovation and operational flexibility.
[10:36] - Hear how Allied helps merging credit unions align systems and programs while also preserving member value.
[11:44] - Bill reveals that, for the future, Allied is focused on mergers, AI, regulations, and evolving member expectations.
[13:39] - For Bill, leaders such as Missy Eldridge and John Wooden exemplify tenacity and excellence!
[14:48] - Family travel remains Bill’s favorite investment, while work trips offer opportunities for exploration!
[16:16] - Listen as Bill recommends several different books.
[17:09] - Bill believes that balancing a personal life with a professional one requires efficiency, intentionality, and maximizing work-travel opportunities.
[18:22] - Future success depends on balancing growth, risk, transformation, and member-focused values!