Podcast
The CUInsight Network
Hosted by CUInsight | Credit Union · EN
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!
25episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
2026 Economic Outlook - TruStage
Jan 500:09:01Tap to summarize“AI is going to be transformational for the credit union industry.” – Steve RickThank 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 TruStagetrustage.comSteve: LinkedInTruStage: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTubeIn 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%.
Transcribe →Intentional AI - Optiri, a Trellance Company
Dec 1900:20:24Tap to summarize“Use AI where it can make a difference to the organization and members.” - Shane ButcherThank 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!
Transcribe →The Leadership Shift - DDJ Myers
Dec 1200:19:54Tap to summarize“Ask questions. Have a culture of inquiry.” - Deedee MyersThank 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 returning guest Deedee Myers, CEO of DDJ Myers, Ltd. She comes back to discuss leadership as we unpack what’s forming the future of credit union leadership. From a huge wave of CEO retirements to board turnover to executive teams changing under new leadership, Deedee lays out what this really looks like in the concrete data that her team has been collecting for years.In our conversation, we talk about numbers and how many CEOs are expected to exit in the coming years. We talk about why so many delayed retirement after COVID and how that pent-up shift is finally arriving. Deedee also explains the generational turnover that is hitting boards and executive teams simultaneously, creating something close to a perfect storm. One of the biggest themes that we talk about, however, is responsibility. Who owns succession? Who’s accountable for readiness? What should each party be doing to prepare for the leadership needs of the next decade? In addition, Deedee and I cover the programs, institutes, and coaching experiences that are truly accelerating leadership growth right now.As we wrap up the episode, we go through our traditional lightning round of questions as I ask her about the little things as well such as the purchases that she swears by, the rituals that keep her grounded during nonstop travel, and the guiding principle that she believes the industry desperately needs more of. Enjoy my conversation with Deedee Myers!Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.Connect with Deedee:Deedee Myers, CEO at DDJ Myers, Ltd.ddjmyers.comDeedee: LinkedInDDJ Meyers, Ltd.: LinkedInWant to hear more from Deedee? Click here.Previous episode featuring Deedee: “Advancing leadership”Podcast mentioned: The Diary of a CEOPodcast mentioned: Freakonomics
Transcribe →Advocacy - DCUC & Atlas Advocacy
Dec 900:30:43Tap to summarize“Every employee, from the C-suite to the teller, has a role in advocacy.” – Jason Stverak 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 returning guest Jason Stverak, Chief Advocacy Officer at Defense Credit Union Council, and Elizabeth Eurgubian, Government Relations and Advocacy Consultant at Atlas Advocacy. They both join me for this episode for a conversation that cuts right to the heart of what credit unions need most right now: stronger advocacy, louder storytelling, and a clearer understanding of what sets us apart!In our conversation, Elizabeth opens with something that she has witnessed from both sides of the table: policymakers are brilliant with statutes and frameworks, but they often have little sense of what day-to-day life looks like inside a credit union. She talks about the power of real-world examples and cautions that if we’re not bringing those stories forward, we’re leaving influence on the table.Jason also jumps in with the compelling argument that advocacy isn’t a job title; it’s everybody—teller to CEO—every interaction with a member, every community touchpoint, every small moment of goodwill becomes part of what reaches Congress. He shares some incredible behind-the-scenes stories from the recent government shutdown and how lawmakers were reaching out because they’d noticed credit unions stepping up while others hesitated.As we wrap up the episode, Elizabeth closes by previewing what’s coming from the NCUA in the year ahead—such as stablecoin and digital-asset rulemaking under the GENIUS Act, a much needed regulatory clean-up, and increased vigilance around cybersecurity. She also challenges all of us to think several years ahead about the skills we’ll need, not the ones that we’ve always relied on, as necessary skillsets are always evolving with the times. I hope that you enjoy my conversation with Jason and Elizabeth!Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.Connect with Jason:Jason Stverak, Chief Advocacy Officer at Defense Credit Union Councildcuc.orgJason: LinkedIn | XDCUC:
Transcribe →Growth Engine - Cotribute
Apr 5, 2024Tap to summarize“We can automate and give credit unions the right tools to grow efficiently.” - Philip PaulThank you for tuning in to The CUInsight Network, with your host, Lauren Culp, President & CEO of 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 Philip Paul, CEO & Founder at Cotribute. Philip shares what inspired him to address business concerns through technology. Cotribute is the preferred digital member acquisition solution for fast onboarding, increased conversions, and expanding wallet share.During our conversation, Philip discusses effective practices to grow and improve operational efficiencies within credit unions, including deposit, membership, and marginal growth. He explains which approaches to focus on for mindful and intentional business growth. Listen as Philip talks about what credit unions can do to grow.As we wrap up the episode, Philip talks about learning from an influential boss, building life habits in seasons, and recommending a book for today. Enjoy my conversation with Philip Paul!Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.Connect with Philip:Philip Paul, CEO & Founder at Cotributeppaul@cotributemail.com cotribute.comPhilip: LinkedInCotribute: LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter
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