In 2025, credit union business lending quietly staged one of its strongest comebacks in years, and Mark Ritter has the numbers to prove it. From a 25% surge in business loan volumes to a 43% jump in participation loans, the recovery exceeded nearly every expectation. But Mark does not stop at the good news. He tackles the slow erosion of community lending, the growing threat of credit union mergers, rising delinquency rates, and an NCUA board in limbo that could create regulatory turbulence for years to come. This is the episode you forward to everyone in your network.

What You Will Learn in This Episode:

✅ How credit union business lending rebounded in 2025, with industry-wide business loan volumes climbing over 25% and participation loans rising 43% after years of tightening liquidity.

✅ Why credit union consolidation and ongoing credit union mergers are quietly weakening community lending and reducing the cooperative presence in local markets across the country.

✅ How rising delinquency rates and increased charge-offs are signaling early stress in portfolios, particularly among larger institutions that leaned into big real estate loans without personal guarantees.

✅ Why the NCUA board leadership gap is creating real strain on credit union examiners and slowing down the regulatory clarity that smaller credit unions desperately need.

Subscribe to Credit Union Conversations for the latest credit union trends and insights on loan volume and business lending! Connect with MBFS to boost your credit union’s growth today.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Credit union business lending volumes for 2025 are revealed, including a 25% industry-wide surge

04:05 Participation loans jumped 43%, and MBFS crossed 1,000 loan underwriting milestones in a single year

06:14 Mark has some random thoughts about the industry

09:54 New people in the industry, credit union mergers, and consolidation are shrinking community lending and weakening local cooperative roots

13:48 Rising delinquency rates and charge-offs signal growing portfolio stress tied to loosened business lending standards

15:19 The NCUA board leadership vacuum is straining credit union examiners and stalling critical regulatory relief

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

💎 Credit union business lending surged over 25% in 2025, with participation loans up 43%, proving the industry can recover strongly after a prolonged liquidity crunch when conditions align.

💎 Credit union mergers continue to erode community lending at a local level, with member engagement in cooperative principles so low that consolidation often passes with only a fraction of members voting.

💎 The current NCUA board vacancy is not a bureaucratic footnote. It is creating mounting pressure on credit union examiners and delaying the regulatory relief smaller institutions need to operate effectively.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Mark Ritter - Website

Mark Ritter - LinkedIn

SEO KEYWORDS:

Credit Union Conversations, Mark Ritter, MBFS, Credit Unions, CUSO, Small Credit Unions, Business Lending, Credit Union Industry, Loan Origination, Participation Loans, Liquidity Crunch, Delinquency Rates, Credit Union Mergers, Cooperative Principles, NCUA Board, Regulatory Relief, Business Loan Volumes, Community Lending, Credit Union Consolidation

What does it take to lead a community credit union for over a decade while honoring a 42-year legacy? In this episode of Credit Union Conversations, Mark Ritter talks with Amey Sgrignoli, CEO of Belco Community Credit Union, about navigating executive succession, evolving board governance, and building a standout brand in a competitive market. Amey shares how her roots in business lending shaped her leadership style and why strong member relationships, smart fintech partnerships, and a commitment to financial education remain at the heart of Belco's growth strategy.

What You Will Learn in This Episode:

✅ How to navigate credit union leadership transitions from a long-tenured CEO while preserving institutional culture and accelerating forward momentum.

✅ Why intentional board governance and proactive volunteer recruitment are critical to a community credit union's long-term health and strategic direction.

✅ How to evaluate fintech partnerships with eyes wide open, protecting your brand reputation while still embracing digital banking innovation and technology.

✅ How staying rooted in member relationships and financial education helps a growing credit union compete against larger regional banks and institutions.

Subscribe to Credit Union Conversations for the latest credit union trends and insights on loan volume and business lending! Connect with MBFS to boost your credit union’s growth today.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Introduction: Meet Amey Sgrignoli of Belco Community CU

05:47 Lessons learned from an executive succession transition following a 42-year CEO legacy at Belco Community CU

08:55 Evolving board governance, volunteer recruitment pipelines, and building a high-performing credit union board

13:53 Being the face of the credit union community-wide

18:53 Competing with larger institutions by leading with member relationships, branch technology, and financial education

24:12 Evaluating fintech partnerships and using the CUSO model to access expertise beyond your asset size

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

💎 Credit union leadership transitions work best when they are deliberate and methodical. Amey co-led Belco Community CU for nearly a year before her predecessor retired, creating stability while opening space for a new vision to emerge.

💎 Strong board governance does not happen by accident. Belco Community CU built a volunteer pipeline over the years, recruiting members with the right qualifications and passion to ensure the board kept pace with industry change.

💎 When vetting fintech partnerships, due diligence is everything. Chasing trends without careful evaluation can expose your credit union to brand reputation, security, and operational risks that outweigh any short-term gain.

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Belco Community Credit Union

Amey Sgrignoli - LinkedIn

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Mark Ritter - Website

Mark Ritter - LinkedIn

SEO KEYWORDS:

Credit Union Conversations, Mark Ritter, MBFS, Credit Unions, CUSO, Small Credit Unions, Community Credit Union, Executive Succession, Board Governance, Business Lending, Member Relationships, Fintech Partnerships, Financial Education, Digital Banking, Institutional Culture, CUSO Model

Community finance is under pressure. On this episode of Credit Union Conversation, Mark Ritter sits down with Doug Wadsworth to unpack the realities facing small credit unions, including expanding regulatory burdens, rising compliance costs, and growing competition among credit unions. They discuss why credit union advocacy matters, how the cooperative model must evolve, and what practical leadership looks like when serving members in an increasingly complex financial environment.

What You Will Learn in This Episode:

✅ How small credit unions manage increasing regulatory burden and mounting compliance costs during NCUA examinations

✅ Why credit union advocacy is essential to protecting the cooperative model and strengthening member impact

✅ How credit union competition from large financial institutions and FinTech competition is reshaping credit union strategy

Subscribe to Credit Union Conversations for the latest credit union trends and insights on loan volume and business lending! Connect with MBFS to boost your credit union’s growth today.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Doug shares his journey into the credit union space and his introduction to small credit unions

06:25 The challenges of obtaining services, the weight of NCUA examinations, and the rising regulatory burden on small credit unions

17:18 Survey results reveal growing credit union competition from larger credit unions over smaller ones

21:04 Breaking down compliance costs, HMDA reporting, and NMLS registration

27:58 Advocacy efforts aimed at achieving regulatory relief for small credit unions

31:15 A vision for strengthening the cooperative model and sustaining community finance

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

💎 Small credit unions face a disproportionate regulatory burden that limits growth and operational flexibility

💎 Strong credit union advocacy can reduce unnecessary compliance costs and drive reform

💎 Preserving the cooperative model is essential as financial institutions increase competitive pressure

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Doug Wadsworth - LinkedIn

Keep It Simple - Book by Doug Wadsworth

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Mark Ritter - Website

Mark Ritter - LinkedIn

SEO KEYWORDS:

Credit Union Conversations, Mark Ritter, MBFS, Credit Unions, CUSO, Small Credit Unions, Regulatory Burden, Compliance Costs, Credit Union Competition, Credit Union Advocacy, Cooperative Model, Vendor Negotiation, Community Banking, Local Lending, Fintech Competition, Credit Union Strategy, HMDA Reporting, NMLS Registration

Join host Mark Ritter for a refreshing twist on Credit Union Conversations as Carrie Hutton, MBFS's loan origination leader, trades business talk for outdoor adventures and friendly competition. From conquering fears on cliff-side hikes to camping in Montana's stunning Glacier National Park, Carrie reveals her family's passion for exploration before facing the ultimate challenge: an MBFS trivia showdown. Discover the impressive numbers behind MBFS's 2025 success, including $279 million in closed loans and nearly $3 billion in portfolio management, all delivered with humor, personality, and genuine insights into credit union excellence.

What You Will Learn In This Episode:

✅ How MBFS achieved remarkable credit union lending growth in 2025, closing $279 million in loans and underwriting 939 new loan origination deals while maintaining a portfolio approaching $3 billion.

✅ The personal side of financial services leadership as Carrie Hutton shares her family's outdoor activities, including RV camping adventures, dispersed camping with solar panels, and exploring Glacier National Park in Montana.

✅ Inside look at MBFS's operational excellence, including completing 621 annual reviews and serving credit unions nationwide through dedicated relationship managers and origination teams.

Subscribe to Credit Union Conversations for the latest credit union trends and insights on loan volume and business lending! Connect with MBFS to boost your credit union’s growth today.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Carrie discusses outdoor activities, featuring hiking and kayaking adventures, and conquering the fear of heights

01:33 RV camping stories, including trips to Montana, South Dakota, and dispersed camping with solar panels

04:27 MBFS trivia challenge begins, covering 2025 achievements in loan origination and portfolio management

07:16 Pittsburgh trivia round featuring Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin, Dan Marino, and Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

💎 MBFS demonstrated exceptional growth in credit union lending during 2025, closing $279 million in loans, underwriting 939 new deals, and managing a portfolio of $2.99 billion, showcasing the strength of their relationship managers and origination team.

💎 Successful financial services leadership balances professional excellence with personal passions, as evidenced by Carrie Hutton's dedication to both loan origination and family adventures through hiking, kayaking, and RV camping across America.

💎 The credit union industry continues to thrive through strong partnerships, completing 621 annual reviews and providing essential lending services to credit unions nationwide while maintaining personal connections and team culture.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Mark Ritter - Website

Mark Ritter - LinkedIn

SEO KEYWORDS:

Credit Union Conversations, Mark Ritter, MBFS, Credit Unions, CUSO, Loan Origination, Hikes, Camping, Glacier National Park, MBFS Trivia, Loans, Portfolio, Financial Services Leadership, Credit Union Industry, Steelers Coach, Paul Skenes, Portfolio Management

Chrome Federal Credit Union CEO Bob Flanyak Jr. delivers a masterclass in authentic leadership and organizational culture. From collecting loans to building a 220 million dollar credit union recognized as Washington County's best overall business, Bob's journey reveals what truly matters in financial services. He shares powerful insights on succession planning, why employee relationships trump strategy, and how cooperative values create sustainable competitive advantages. Bob's candid discussion about credit union mergers, community impact, and talent development offers both inspiration and practical wisdom. His father's 29 years as a volunteer board member planted seeds that grew into a career philosophy centered on serving people over profits.

What You Will Learn in This Episode:

✅ How to build and maintain a strong credit union culture through employee engagement, morning huddles, and living your organizational values rather than simply displaying them on walls.

✅ The essential elements of effective succession planning in credit union leadership including balancing internal candidates with external searches while protecting organizational culture and values.

✅ Practical strategies for credit union collaboration and financial literacy programs that allow small and medium-sized institutions to compete effectively without merging, including Financial Reality Fairs and student brand development.

✅ Why brand building and community impact matter more than traditional metrics, and how cooperative values and relationship-focused leadership create sustainable member loyalty and employee engagement.

Subscribe to Credit Union Conversations for the latest credit union trends and insights on loan volume and business lending! Connect with MBFS to boost your credit union’s growth today.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Intro: Meet Bob Flanyak of Chrome Federal Credit Union

06:31 Career journey from CUNA Mutual to retail credit union leadership across multiple states

09:45 Chrome Federal Credit Union’s history and advice to advance your career in the credit union space

14:26 Succession planning strategy and protecting credit union culture during CEO transitions

17:36 Addressing credit union mergers and fostering collaboration among small institutions

20:54 Financial literacy programs and community impact through Financial Reality Fairs

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

💎 Credit union leadership success starts with self-awareness and relationship building. Know every employee's name, their families, and vacation plans because people need to know how much you care before they care about how much you know.

💎 Effective succession planning requires a systematic approach that protects organizational culture. Chrome Federal used both external recruiters and internal candidate development, ultimately selecting a "quasi-internal" leader who understood its cooperative values and brand-building philosophy.

💎 Credit union collaboration through financial literacy programs offers powerful alternatives to mergers for small institutions. Programs like Financial Reality Fairs allow multiple credit unions to serve communities together, amplifying community impact while preserving independence and local identity.

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Bob Flanyak - LinkedIn

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Mark Ritter - Website

Mark Ritter - LinkedIn

SEO KEYWORDS:

Credit Union Conversations, Mark Ritter, MBFS, Credit Unions, CUSO, Authentic Leadership, Organizational Culture, Succession Planning, Employee Relationships, Cooperative Values, Credit Union Mergers, Community Impact, Morning Huddles, Organizational Values, Internal Candidates, External Recruiters, Internal Candidate Development

Business lending expert Carrie Hutton shares her journey from military spouse to VP of documentation services at MBFS in this episode of Credit Union Conversations. Host Mark Ritter explores the critical components of the loan closing process, including essential entity documents, title work, and collateral valuations. Hutton reveals how proper documentation requirements for credit union business lending can dramatically reduce closing delays. From managing loan approvals to coordinating environmental due diligence, listeners gain insider knowledge on how to achieve faster, more efficient closings in commercial lending.

What You Will Learn In This Episode:

✅ The realistic timeline for closing commercial real estate loans versus equipment financing deals, and why business lending professionals should expect three to four weeks for real estate transactions, while non-real estate loans can close in under a week.

✅ The four critical loan documentation requirements that consistently delay closings include entity documents with correctly spelled names, title work for correct vesting, accurate collateral valuation, and detailed loan approval documentation.

✅ How credit union operations can avoid common mistakes in the loan closing process, including missing authorized signers on documents and delays caused by incomplete environmental due diligence or appraisal process issues.

Subscribe to Credit Union Conversations for the latest credit union trends and insights on loan volume and business lending! Connect with MBFS to boost your credit union’s growth today.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Introduction to business lending expert Carrie Hutton and her debut on the Credit Union Conversations podcast

01:10 Carrie's banking career journey from military spouse employment at Bank of America in Japan to credit union roles

04:05 Carrie's role managing the documentation services team and onboarding credit unions

05:46 The ideal loan closing process timeline and managing appraisal process, flood certification, and environmental due diligence

09:07 Common mistakes that delay closings, from missing authorized signers to incomplete loan approval details

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

💎 Successful business lending depends on accurate entity documents with names spelled exactly as filed at the state level. Missing or incorrect operating agreement details and authorized signers are the most common causes of delays, sometimes rendering entire loan documents invalid.

💎 Understanding loan type impacts closing speed significantly. Commercial vehicles, UCC filings, and equipment financing deals close in under a week, while real estate transactions require three to four weeks due to appraisal and environmental due diligence timelines.

💎 Effective team management in documentation services requires clear procedural manuals and systematic tracking of construction loans, change in terms requests, and tickler systems to ensure nothing falls through the cracks during high-volume loan processing periods.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Mark Ritter - Website

Mark Ritter - LinkedIn

SEO KEYWORDS:

Credit Union Conversations, Mark Ritter, MBFS, Credit Unions, CUSO, Business Lending, Loan Documentation, Loan Closing Process, Documentation Requirements for Credit Union Business Lending, Title Work, Collateral Valuation, Loan Approval, Commercial Real Estate, Equipment Financing, Environmental Due Diligence, Appraisal Process, Operating Agreement, Loan Processing

Credit union lending faces pivotal changes in 2026 as interest rates, inflation, and regulatory shifts reshape the landscape. In this episode of Credit Union Conversations, host Mark Ritter and MBFS COO Jeff Lyons make bold predictions about fed rate movements, treasury rates, and commercial lending growth. They discuss how rising delinquency rates may affect the industry and explore the NCUA's anticipated regulatory priorities, including oversight of AI and automation. From mortgage rates to commercial real estate refinancing opportunities, this Quick Hits episode delivers actionable insights for credit union leaders navigating an uncertain economic environment in the year ahead.

What You Will Learn In This Episode:

✅ How fed rate reductions and treasury rates will influence credit union loan pricing strategies and member borrowing costs throughout 2026

✅ Why commercial lending growth may slow, while commercial real estate refinancing opportunities emerge from distressed properties

✅ What regulatory priorities the NCUA will focus on, including delinquency management, loan loss reserves, stablecoins, and AI and automation policies

✅ How the housing market, unemployment rate, and inflation rate interconnect to shape the overall economic outlook for credit unions

Subscribe to Credit Union Conversations for the latest credit union trends and insights on loan volume and business lending! Connect with MBFS to boost your credit union’s growth today.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 2026 predictions episode discussing credit union industry forecasts and Fed rate and interest rates predictions, with expectations of rates dropping to 3-3.25%

01:42 Treasury rates and mortgage rates outlook, analyzing the impact on credit union lending and the housing market

03:10 Inflation rate forecast at 2.5% with discussion of tariffs and unemployment rate effects on economic stability

04:25 Commercial lending growth predictions and commercial real estate refinancing opportunities amid rising delinquency trends

06:29 Discussion of the NCUA board, the rising delinquency numbers, and the abuse of AI

10:15 Let’s talk football

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

✅ Federal Reserve leadership changes will drive fed rate policy toward 3% by year-end, creating refinancing opportunities for loans originated in 2024 at higher rates

✅ Rising delinquency rates will trigger stricter NCUA oversight on loan loss reserves and accounting practices, while AI and automation regulation emerges as a new compliance focus area

✅ Commercial real estate distress will create a "greater fool" refinancing market where credit unions can acquire loans at significant discounts after original lenders absorb losses

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Jeff Lyons - LinkedIn

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Mark Ritter - Website

Mark Ritter - LinkedIn

SEO KEYWORDS:

Credit Union Conversations, Mark Ritter, MBFS, Credit Unions, CUSO, Credit Union Lending, Interest Rates, Inflation, Fed Rate, Treasury Rates, Commercial Lending, Delinquency, NCUA, AI And Automation, Mortgage Rates, Commercial Real Estate, Federal Reserve