The Credit Union Connection’s Post

🚀 Last call to register for Executive Ready and build your executive network, collaborate and learn from experts Karin Hurt and David Dye, and gain new and practical strategies to implement at your credit union! 💪

Are you struggling to really serve your members needs with your credit union services? Does your team know how to have a discussion with your members to find out what those needs are? No? That's ok, lots of credit unions are lacking in these skills. But they are skills that can be learned and are necessary in serving your members and growing your credit unions reach. The Credit Union Sales Intensive Workshop has three objectives to help your credit union team: 1. Provide competent sales training built for your credit union. 2. Empowered employees with the sales mindset, processes and skills needed to sell. 3. Provide credit union leadership the expertise to coach and mentor their sales teams to peak performance. #CUBoostSales #ServeCUMembersBetter #salescu #creditunionsalesprogram #CreditUnionGrowth

Credit unions have unique cultural and operational needs that set them apart from other financial institutions. This necessitates a distinctive approach to leadership that aligns with their community-oriented and member-first philosophies. We understand that leaders in this sector need to not only possess excellent financial management skills but also embody a deep commitment to member service and community engagement. The need for a more personalized connection with members drives our search for executives who value transparency, ethical standards, and community involvement as much as we do. Additionally, regulatory compliance and risk management are as crucial in credit unions as in any other part of the financial services industry. We tailor our search to find leaders who are adept in these areas but who also thrive in a collaborative and inclusive work culture that is typical of credit unions. The leaders we seek are those who can navigate the challenges of staying competitive in a complex financial landscape while upholding the values that are the cornerstone of the credit union movement. Steering a credit union toward success requires more than just leadership expertise—it requires a leader who embodies the values of the industry and who can inspire a community. Our personalized approach in recruiting and supporting such leaders ensures that they are not just equipped to handle the present needs but are also visionary enough to propel your institution into the future. If you're looking to elevate your credit union with leaders who make a real difference, turn to Pinnacle Executive Recruiting. Let our executive recruitment company bring you leaders who not only direct but inspire.

This week, I spoke with a credit leader from a manufacturer in the textiles space who seemed discouraged. Despite us already knowing the day-to-day challenges that credit and collections teams face, he seemed especially down. He told us, "My credit and collections team is vital to this business, yet we're seen as adversaries. We enable business growth by providing credit to customer that need it, but sales and my CEO only think we are a barrier to sales. We are under increasing pressure to make decisions faster with less information." His thoughts are extremely common among credit leaders, who often face an uphill battle in helping their colleagues and leadership teams understand the important of credit and collection teams. At Credit Pulse, we empower credit managers with tools and insights they need to not only do their jobs better, but also to elevate their roles. Credit teams see themselves as part of sales and want to be understood. We are on the lookout for new ways to help credit teams better communicate their value to leadership and grow their careers. #CreditManagement #CreditLeaders #CreditCollections #NACM

ADVISOR SPOTLIGHT: Roger Barlow Roger joined us as a #Career Changer after experiencing an actual "Life or Death Moment". What crossed his mind when his world changed forever? Watch the video and find out why Roger made the switch from #selling heirlooms to #building legacies with us in #Bedminster. This career offers the #ability for anyone and everyone to #shape their #lives and the lives of those around them in a way unlike anything else. Whatever your reason for wanting something #different, or something #more... a #conversation about how you can make your career your #passion is where it starts. If it weren't for Joe Burdi, CLU®,ChFC®,CFP®, who knows how this story would have ended. Bedminster Leadership Team: Managing Director - John Kozakis, CFP Growth & Development Director - Jonathan V. Brito College Unit Director - Sean Hingel Campus Recruiter & District Operations Leader - Daniella Almeida-Mendez Director of Recruiting & Marketing - Ryan Bailey #finance #financialadvisor #wealthmanagement #legacyplanning #financialplanning #careerchanger #passion #werehiring #weregrowing #fulltimeopportunities #bedminster #northwesternmutual

This spring I had the opportunity to travel to several credit union meetings. I met so many people and had so many conversations. Here are a few reoccurring themes (do these resonate with you too?): 1) Succession Planning: An evergreen topic, but also one that people want to hear and talk about. So many things roll up under this seemingly simple concept: recruiting, retention, merger or acquisition, training, and development. Educating the board about the risks and challenges of CEO transitions is crucial, as is ensuring alignment on the approach to managing this change. - I seriously want to help everyone that I talk to about this. Please reach out! FarWell can help facilitate these conversations and prepare you for your CEO search or transition! 2) Organizational Change Management: Everything is change. Not everyone uses the phrase “organizational change management” – but we’re all dealing with how to manage change. Both good, exciting change, and scary change!  - Did you know FarWell has expertise in change management? And a whole amazing team of rock star change management advisors that have been doing this work for years? Let us help fill your team’s toolbox with change management skills! 3) Financial Well-being for All IS the Credit Union Difference: We cannot forget our core identity and fundamental mission: to deliver on the promise of “people helping people.” I am deeply inspired by the unique initiatives credit unions are doing to help their members. - Want to strengthen your Financial Well-being difference? FarWell can help! If you’re unsure, we can assist you in developing these elements.   4) Leagues: Leagues continue to be the backbone of the Credit Union Movement. Seeing Cornerstone Foundation, California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues, The Wisconsin Credit Union League and Dakota Credit Union Association – and earlier this year the Montana's Credit Unions and Iowa Credit Union League - in action was a reminder of all the hats worn and services provided. The power of membership was evident at each event I attended, reaffirming that Leagues are essential to keeping our System running. - If you’re a credit union employee, get more involved with your League! Look for specialty groups – YPs (young professionals), women's groups, and mentoring groups. So many ways to be supported in your career journey. These last few weeks have left me inspired, motivated, and ready to get to work! FarWell has a few CU engagements lined up this summer (you know who you are, and we can’t wait to see you!!). We’re currently booking for fall credit union events and strategic planning sessions/board retreats/leadership off-sites. If you’re interested – please reach out.  

Here are Catie McDonald's insights from her spring travels! Key themes include: - Succession Planning - Organizational Change Management - Financial Well-being for All - Credit Union Leagues #GoFarDoWell #GoFarDoWellWithCUs #Leadership #ChangeManagement #SuccessionPlanning #FinancialWellbeing

We had an exceptional experience working with Michael Wolsten, Executive Coach, CCUE, as he guided our credit union through a comprehensive strategic planning process to shape our vision for the next three years. I’ve had the privilege of knowing Michael for many years, and as I shared with him, as leaders, we often have a clear destination in mind. But getting there requires more than ambition—it takes a guide who can provide the map. That’s exactly what Michael did for us. Think of it this way: I might know I want to get to Ocean City, MD. But without a GPS, even the best intentions and a general sense of direction might not get me there. Michael served as our GPS, ensuring we charted the most effective path forward. Through thoughtful collaboration with our board of directors and leadership team, Michael helped us craft a tailored three-year strategic plan that aligns with our goals and values. I’m thrilled about the future of IBEW 26 Federal Credit Union and the incredible possibilities ahead! Strategic planning is a crucial conversation in the credit union industry right now. If you’re searching for a leader who is both passionate and dedicated to creating a customized roadmap for your credit union, I can’t recommend Michael Wolsten enough. #IBEW26FCU #StrategicPlanning #FutureFocused #CUDifference #WashingtonDC #Maryland #Virginia #LaborUnions

One of my senior group colleagues in London has been briefed by a 𝙐𝙎 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙢 𝙩𝙤 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙖 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙞𝙩𝙨 𝙁𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙥𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙚 which is not yet the right size or offering for the firm's London target market. If you are curious about this opportunity and would like to find out more, please message me and I will connect you to my colleague running the search. Email: jonathan.walmsley@marsdengroup.com #partnermoves #lawfirmleadership #lawfirmmanagement #uslawfirms

Now, take a moment for some honesty, both with us and yourself. Where did you find yourself on our scale? 🤔 We get it. The instinct is often to leap straight to the “what can we do right now?” However, it's often crucial to take a step back and assess: Why are things not as good as they could be? 👉 The answer often lies within your own mission and vision. Let’s face it: Credit union mission and vision statements can be quite dry, typically shelved and forgotten until the next annual strategic planning session rolls around.😴 For a credit union to flourish in today’s environment, a deliberate effort to refine and articulate a clear mission and vision is crucial. This clarity is not just administrative—it's a magnet for passionate employees, a beacon for fresh board talent, and a call to action for new members. Investing the time to craft a mission and vision statement that truly speaks to your community is not just beneficial; it’s essential. If your credit union is ready to lower turnover rates and fully engage with your team, let’s move forward together: https://loom.ly/RQ6qJ1I #CreditUnionMission #StrategicVision #CreditUnionCulture #EmployeeEngagement #CommunityBanking #Leadership #StrategicPlanning