Leaders in Lending
Episodes
Which Rules Are You Actually Following? CFPB Expert on What's Changing
29 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Banks don't know if they should be running disparate impact analysis or not. The CFPB is rewriting its own rules. State AGs are filling the gaps. And ...
Your Safest Borrowers Might Be Your Biggest Risk
16 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The biggest lending risk in 2026 may not be where you think. Experian Chief Economist Joseph Mayans calls today’s environment a one trick pony econo...
Grow Approvals Without Growing Losses
18 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
How can lenders increase approvals without increasing charge-offs?In this episode of Leaders in Lending, Dan Harp, Chief Lending Officer at 717 Credit...
AI in Lending: What’s Real, What’s Working, What’s Next
18 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
AI in lending is no longer a future conversation. It is operational today.In Episode 185 of Leaders in Lending, we discuss what is actually working in...
Why Credit Unions Are Winning Where Big Banks Can’t
21 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Leaders in Lending, Adam Landsverk, Chief Lending Officer at FOXCU, joins host Barry Roach to discuss leadership, responsibility, a...
The Biggest Lending Lessons We Learned in 2025
07 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this special year-end edition of Leaders in Lending, Drew Megrey, Barry Roach, and Lynn Sautter Beal reflect on the most impactful conversations fr...
The Difference Between Managing and Leading Lending
23 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Leaders in Lending, host Barry Roach sits down with Lisa Highley, Chief Lending Officer at the University of Kentucky Federal Credi...
The $10B Insight Every Lender Needs
10 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Managing $10 billion in loans teaches you a lot about what truly drives repayment and performance. In this episode of Leaders in Lending, host Lynn Sa...
Planning to Win: Lending Strategies for an Uncertain Economy
12 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The economy is shifting fast, and your lending strategy cannot afford to lag. In this episode of Leaders in Lending, hosts Barry Roach and Drew Megrey...
Winning the Lending Game: What Smart Credit Unions Are Doing Differently
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Credit unions are operating in a new lending environment defined by risk, regulation and rapid innovation. In this episode of Leaders in Lending, host...
Membership Growth Slowdown? Here’s How Credit Unions Can Fight Back
15 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Credit union membership growth is shrinking as per TruStage research, and the competition isn’t slowing down. In this episode of Leaders in Lending,...
The Credit Crunch and Beyond: Bold Predictions for 2026
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
2025 has been all about the crunch. Credit is tight, uncertainty is everywhere and lenders are asking: is this the new normal or just another cycle? I...
Riding the Refi Wave: How Credit Unions Can Capture the Moment
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Auto loan rates are high, millions of borrowers are rate-locked, and a refinancing wave is on the horizon. In this episode, co-hosts Lynn Sautter Beal...
Behind the Scenes of ACU Strategic Growth Conference
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if the next conference you attended didn’t just inspire ideas, but actually drove change? In this episode of Leaders in Lending, hosts Lynn Sau...
The Credit Builder Strategy That’s Actually Working
20 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Access to credit can be life-changing, but for many members, the process still feels out of reach. Great Lakes Credit Union is working to change that ...
Inside the Credit Union Managing 50+ Lending Tech Partnerships
06 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Technology is reshaping every corner of financial services. For credit unions, the challenge isn’t just keeping up, it’s choosing the right tools,...
This One Strategy Took Lending From Good to Great
23 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Rising vehicle prices, longer loan terms, and shrinking margins. As credit unions adapt, standing out requires more than competitive rates. It takes c...
From Onboarding to Upsell: A Digital Playbook for Credit Unions
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As credit unions grapple with an increasingly digital-first market, the path to growth lies in strategic partnerships, streamlined onboarding, and dat...
Surviving the CFPB’s Transitional Era
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As the regulatory environment continues to shift and technology reshapes the compliance landscape, today’s lending leaders are under increasing pres...
Navigating Fair Lending Challenges Through Collaboration and AI
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As regulatory scrutiny intensifies and innovation accelerates, fair-and-responsible banking leaders are coming together to keep compliance programs ad...
Fraud, Policy Shifts, and EV Financing: What’s Next for Auto Lenders?
28 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As the auto finance industry faces mounting regulatory scrutiny and increasingly sophisticated fraud tactics, lenders are working together to navigate...
Tariffs, Terms and the Evolving Auto Finance Landscape
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As tariffs and inflation drive up vehicle prices, both lenders and consumers are feeling the pressure to adapt. In this episode, host Lynn Sautter Bea...
Winning the Battle for Primacy in Banking
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With 97 percent of Americans already banked, acquiring new customers means convincing them to break existing relationships. So how can financial insti...
Banking’s Next Act: Regulatory Shifts Ahead
16 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As regulatory and political landscapes shift, financial institutions must stay agile and innovative to navigate new challenges and opportunities. In t...
AI & The Fed: Is Hiring Changing?
02 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As economic conditions shift, financial institutions must adapt their lending strategies to balance growth, risk, and liquidity. A "Slow and Grow " ap...
From Europe to the US: Cultural and Market Nuances in FinTech
05 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In episode re-air, joining our host Ed Walters is Simon Darchis, Head of Partnership at Finwise Bank, to discuss his trajectory in the financial serv...
Capturing Prime Members in 2025 and Beyond
19 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As economic conditions shift, financial institutions must adapt their lending strategies to balance growth, risk, and liquidity. A “Slow and Grow”...
Niche Markets, High Impact: Leading the Charge in Early-Stage Credit Facilities
05 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In episode re-air, host Lynn Sautter Beal talks with Jillian Murrish, CEO of Pier Asset Management, about the waves she and her firm are making in the...
Credit Unions in Transition: Evolving Mortgage Origination, Auto Lending, and AI Futures
22 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In today’s episode, we dive into the dynamic world of financial services, specifically auto and mortgage lending. Join host Drew Megrey as he speaks...
Open Banking and the Road Ahead: Post-Election Insights
08 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As technology evolves, open banking is reshaping how we manage and share financial data, creating exciting opportunities for innovation and better ser...
Evolving the Playbook: Tech, AI, and Customer-Centric Lending
11 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In banking, yesterday’s touchdowns don’t win today’s games. A great product is just the start — constant evolution is key to meeting ever-chan...
From Polls to Partnerships: Election Season and the NCUA’s Role in Modern Lending
27 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In a world where technology rapidly reshapes financial systems, credit unions must innovate to stay ahead. In this episode, host Matt Snow chats with...
Lessons Learned: Equipping Businesses for Future Crises Post-Pandemic
13 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the face of unprecedented challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, small businesses across the nation have demonstrated remarkable resilienc...
Rising Above the Liquidity Crisis: Navigating Interest Rate Changes with Strategic Oversight
30 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Can credit unions turn economic setbacks into stepping stones for success? Today, we sit down with Dustin Holmberg, Chief Revenue and Lending Officer...
From Ledgers to Algorithms: Revolutionizing Financial Data
02 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ultimately, providing the best financial advice or service is all about having the right data in the right place at the right time.This week, host Mat...
Banking on Community: Meeting the Needs of Underserved Consumers
18 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
From having a child to starting a business, every major life decision comes with financial implications—and with those come concerns and challenges....
Small Steps, Big Gains: Scaling Success with AI in Credit Unions in 2024
04 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Like many institutions, credit unions can't afford to be left behind in the race to adapt to the new AI-driven technological landscape. But successful...
Adapting to Turbulence through Fintech Innovations
21 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Things need to change, oftentimes more than we’d like.This week, host Matt Snow is joined by Adam Goller, EVP and Head of Fintech Banking at Cross R...
The CFPB, Financial Regulation and Generative AI… Oh My!
07 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Although the US Supreme Court recently upheld the CFPB’s funding system—and removed a major threat to the agency’s ability to regulate financial...
Cashing in on AI: Streamlining Bank Operations
24 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Successful AI integration isn’t just about saving time or cutting costs—it’s about thoughtfully implementing the technology into areas where it ...
The Buckeye Boom: Ohio’s Growth in Tech
10 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to the tech revolution, it’s not all about the coasts or the biggest cities. Although areas like Silicon Valley continue to dominate t...
Niche Markets, High Impact: Leading the Charge in Early-Stage Credit Facilities
26 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In today’s episode, host Lynn Sautter Beal talks with Jillian Murrish, CEO of Pier Asset Management, about the waves she and her firm are making in ...
Shaping Pragmatic Regulations for FinTech Innovation
12 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to regulation in the world of financial services. Sometimes it’s a matter of encouraging fintech companies t...
Navigating the Data Race in Financial Services
29 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For financial service professionals, it’s important to meet the needs of their customers and clients. But it’s equally important that they ensure ...
Under Inflationary Pressure: Reshaping Strategy
22 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s episode, host Lynn Sautter Beal is joined by Matt Hrna, Senior Vice President at Regions Bank to discuss inflationary pressures and marke...
The Fairness Frontline: Insights in Fair & Responsible Banking
15 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For many in the financial industry, it’s not hard to see banks and financial institutions committed to providing services that are both effective AN...
No Place Like Home Equity: 2024 Lending Insights
08 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, host Matt Snow talks with Mike Shepard, Senior VP - Head of Consumer Lending Partnerships at U.S. Bank, about trends, best practices, and c...
Launching Upstart’s AI Certification Course
01 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
AI is top of mind for most financial services organizations, but the question of, 'where to begin?' remains. Upstart's new AI in Financial Services Pr...
2024 Auto Trends: Financing, Sales, and Consumer Behavior
01 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s episode, host Matt Snow is joined by Melinda Zabritski, Sr. Director at Experian Automotive, and Mark Pregman, Head of Credit Operations ...
Charting the Economic Horizon: Resiliency, Risk and Credit Trends
24 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
To reliably forecast what the future of finance the economy holds, you must be able to assess the current moment.This week, host Lynn Sautter Beal spe...
Regulation Reimagined: Banking Beyond Partisanship
17 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, hosts Lynn Sautter Beal and Matt Snow are joined by Kelvin Chen, Senior Executive VP, Head of Policy at the Consumer Bankers Association. K...
Navigating Global and Personal Financial Crises with FinTech
03 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With periods of financial collapse and upheaval serving as the catalyst, movers and shakers in the world of digital finance solutions have navigated a...
Automated Excellence and Adaptive Automotive
20 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Joining our host Drew Megrey is Jared Dryer, VP of Consumer Lending and Centralized Deposits at Westerra Credit Union. Jared brings a passion for stre...
Where Corporate Growth and Community Impact Collide
06 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, our host Barry Roach is joined by Nathan Cox, CEO of InRoads Credit Union, to discuss his transition from banking to the world of credit un...
Data Ownership and Industry Collaboration in FinTech
21 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How will responsible data practices and blockchain technology shape the financial technology landscape this year?Join our host, Matt Snow and guest Sa...
From Europe to the US: Cultural and Market Nuances in FinTech
07 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Joining our host Ed Walters this week is Simon Darchis, Head of Partnerships at Finwise Bank, to discuss his trajectory in the financial services sect...
Going Fee-Free: Reimagining Member Satisfaction
24 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Stacy Armijo, the Chief Experience Officer at Amplify Credit Union, joins our host Drew Megrey to share her path to credit union leadership and discus...
Passing the Mic: 2024 Host Lineup
10 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The new year always brings change, and Leaders in Lending is no exception. Our long-time host, Jeff Keltner, is taking on new opportunities, but he is...
Fifth-Gen Wisdom: Community Bank FinTech Partnerships
06 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
2023 has been a big year for the advancement of AI across all industries. But how have these changes helped community banks scale and improve their le...
From Big Bank to Community Leader
22 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Who would be bold enough to start a bank during a recession?Neil Stevens, President and CEO at Oconee State Bank, and his team were, and he has lesson...
Cultivating Diversity: Innovative Strategies for Credit Unions
08 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
With the right mix of innovation and growth, credit unions can prioritize community, culture, and informed decision-making in serving diverse markets....
Cognitive AI for Transformative Customer Service
25 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
AI is not inherently intelligent, but do we need our computers and machines to think like us?Some might be reluctant to test the boundaries of Generat...
High-Touch Service in Changing Commercial Lending Tech
11 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Is your bank adapting to evolving credit demands?Banks and private lenders have been slow to adopt technology, but with shifting demands for credit pr...
Synchronizing Values and Operations for an Aligned Brand
27 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Your home page highlights your bank’s main points of focus — are you conveying the right message?Whether it be blog posts serving to inform and ed...
Approaching Community Banking Through First Principles
13 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
For a community bank to connect with today’s clients and the clients of the future, they must be at the forefront of technology.Darryl Caffee, SVP, ...
Combating Financial Fraud: Fintech’s Game-Changing Role
30 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
For so long, new tech has been utilized by fraud artists, costing many unsuspecting victims countless dollars. Now, AI tools and strong fintech partne...
Cross-selling Members for Long-term Growth
16 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Commonwealth Credit Union’s partnership with Upstart shows how fintech partnerships can unlock potential in financial institutions. Automation drive...
Reading the Auto & Housing Markets: Inflation & Deflation Trends
02 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The rising interest rate environment of the first half of 2023 have many fearful recession is on the horizon, but, simultaneously, there are some indi...
Partnering With a Fintech to Diversify in Challenging Times
26 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
For community banks, scaling a personal loan portfolio profitably without introducing risk is a challenging feat – especially with the added constra...
How Innovation in Servicing Drives Loyalty
19 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Around 90% of a loan lifecycle and engagement happens in the world of servicing, but no one really talks about it. From getting approved to taking a l...
Leveraging Predictive Analytics to Expand Relationships
12 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
From his position as Product Manager at Umpqua Bank, Ben joins us to shed some light on the challenges and benefits of cross-pollinating data and tech...
Adopting an Entrepreneurial Mindset in Banking
05 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
After being robbed three times in two weeks as a teller, David Reiling took quite the interest in bank security. Now serving as the Chief Executive Of...
A Former NCUA Chairman’s Perspective on Innovation
28 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Credit scores determine where people live, where their kids go to school, what they drive and even where they work. Couple that with the fact that nea...
Trust and Optimization During Volatile Times
21 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Volatility management is a component of banking that should always be on management’s radar, especially after recent bank collapses.Thoroughly under...
Power of Collaboration: Maximizing Efficiency with Fintech Partnerships
14 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Banking has been hit with a whirlwind of technologies in recent years. With growing tech stacks that only continue to increase in complexity, it’s i...
The ‘Moonshot versus the Pragmatic Approach’ to Digitization
06 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Technology is revolutionizing the world. With continuous iterations of tools and processes, people juggle between implementing with careful considerat...
CRO Perspective: Balancing Risk and Innovation in Banking
31 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Over the past few weeks, there has been a shift in the nature of risks in the banking world — the federal government playing a significant role in s...
Addressing Concerns in New Auto Consumer Protection Rule
24 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Last June, the Federal Trade Commission proposed a new rule regarding consumer protections. This rule would greatly affect auto dealers, placing great...
Keeping Pace with Risk Mitigation and Regulatory Changes
17 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Consumer credit is a hot topic. With new credit products like Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) hitting the market and the always-evolving impacts of credit re...
Combating Fraud Attacks In Banking
10 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Fraud is on the rise — bad news for banks and customers alike.In today’s digital world, criminals have more tools at their disposal than ever befo...
Rapid Digitization in the Auto Market
03 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The auto industry is racing into the future, whether it’s the surge of electric vehicles in the current market or the promise of self-driving cars o...
Deposit Management in a Post-SVB World
26 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Though deposits at many institutions are down while uncertainty around the future is growing, Jeff sits down with two experts in the deposits space wh...
The Regulatory Outlook at CBA Live
19 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
With new regulations on the horizon — what do these changes mean for your institution?Dan Smith, EVP, Head of Regulatory Affairs at the Consumer Ban...
The Future of Small Business Lending
12 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Recent banking failures have everyone in finance wondering what the future holds for lending.Do these signify the start of some significant changes in...
Clicks To Bricks: Starting the Customer Experience Digitally
05 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to building their customer experience, banks have traditionally started with brick and mortar before expanding digitally.What if banks h...
The Upstart Macro Index (UMI)
29 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In 2021, loan repayments were at a historic high, but by mid-2022 the tables had turned. What happened?To get to the bottom of this alarming shift, Up...
What the Collapse of SVB Means For Deposits and Interest Rate Increases
22 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The recent collapse of the Silicon Valley Bank has been one of the most significant bank failures since the global financial crisis and is the second-...
“Bank Your Size” - The Community Bank Difference
15 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Small businesses are the backbone of America. But, too often, they partner with banks that don’t offer the personal touch, care and attention their ...
Data Is The New Oil: What’s Next In Banking
01 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The release of Chat GPT has spurred all sorts of conversations and speculation on where the technology is taking humanity- and if this is a cause for ...
How a $4.5B Credit Union Maintains a Direct Line to Members
22 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Credit Unions are already known for their personal service, but what happens when you double or triple in size. Does bigger need to mean less personal...
Building a Fintech Partner Ecosystem
15 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Turning your perceived competitor into a partner is not a new strategy, but leveraging partners in the digital financial space to gain a competitive e...
Data Driven Strategies For Challenging Economic Times
08 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Fears of a recession and high interest rates have persisted into 2023. Now, lenders are determining how to maintain their competitive advantage with c...
CBA’s Outlook on Fraud, Branches and Digitization
01 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The investments in technology that banks and financial institutions are making today are preparing consumers to manage their finances in a more meanin...
Supporting Small Businesses as a CDFI and MDI
25 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The banking industry is increasingly leveraging innovations in alternative data to underwrite loans for both consumers and small businesses. This can ...
Credit Unions Driving Racial Equity
18 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Credit Unions, at their core, have a strong commitment to service. But how do you scale the concept of serving your members to the broader community —...
Rethinking Marketing & Incentives for Engagement
11 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Credit unions promise their members more than a traditional bank, but communicating and marketing your expertise is not always easy in a crowded marke...
A Fireside Chat with Upstart’s CEO, Dave Girouard
04 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dave Girouard, Co-Founder & CEO at Upstart , believed that young people were "potential rich yet cash poor"—and that dynamic caused them to mak...
Safe Is Risky: How Banks Can Stay Innovative>
29 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Banks can no longer afford to play it safe when it comes to their digital capabilities. “Safe” is now risky. That’s why, in this episode, Tony H...
Lending Leaders: 2022 Trends and 2023 Predictions
21 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We’ve covered a wide range of topics that are propelling change in the lending space this year- from use of technology to policy recommendations to ...
Strategic Community Investments By Credit Unions
14 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Many credit unions offer traditionally underserved members an advantage in not just banking, but financial planning. One crucial asset they can offer ...