In this episode of Credit Union Conversations, host Mark Ritter sits down with Gord Baizley, Co-Founder and CEO of Judi.ai, to explore why small business lending remains one of the greatest untapped opportunities for credit unions—and how technology is finally making it scalable.

Gord shares his unique career journey from law and investment banking to leading high-growth technology companies, including Judi.ai, a platform purpose-built to simplify and modernize small business lending. The conversation breaks down why small businesses are consistently underserved by traditional financial institutions despite representing a massive share of the economy—and why credit unions are uniquely positioned to close that gap.

Mark and Gord dive into the cultural, regulatory, and operational barriers that have historically slowed small business lending at credit unions. They discuss how outdated underwriting expectations, CRE-centric credit culture, and manual processes have made small business lending feel complex and costly. Gord explains how predictive AI, real-time cash flow data, and automation are reshaping underwriting—allowing credit unions to treat small business lending more like consumer credit cards than commercial real estate.

The episode also compares U.S. and Canadian banking systems, highlights the importance of executive buy-in, and reinforces why small business owners are “relationship unicorns” for credit unions—bringing deposits, loans, mortgages, and long-term loyalty.

This episode is essential listening for credit union leaders, lenders, and executives looking to grow relationships, diversify loan portfolios, and compete effectively with fintech lenders.

What You Will Learn in This Episode:

✅ Why small business lending should be treated as its own segment, not lumped into consumer or commercial lending.

✅ How predictive AI and real-time cash flow data can dramatically reduce underwriting friction and improve risk management.

✅ What’s holding credit unions back from small business growth, and how to move it higher on the strategic priority list.

✅ Why small business owners are among the most valuable long-term relationships a credit union can build.

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 Welcome to Credit Union Conversations: Gord Baizley’s career journey: law, finance, and tech

03:05 What Judi.ai does and why small businesses are underserved

04:03 Predictive AI vs. generative AI in lending

06:00 Banking in Canada vs. the U.S.

08:43 Why credit unions focus on CRE instead of small business

09:22 Rethinking risk: small business vs. consumer credit

10:15 Automation, open banking, and real-time cash flow data

13:32 Regulatory shifts supporting cash flow lending

14:33 Ideal credit unions for small business growth

16:45 Treating small business as its own segment

17:27 Why small business owners are “relationship unicorns”

19:10 The biggest barriers to getting started

21:00 Executive buy-in and strategic ownership

23:00 The future outlook for credit unions

25:12 How to connect with Gord and Judi.ai

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

1. Small business lending is a relationship growth engine, not just a loan product.
2. Credit unions often apply the wrong risk lens to small business lending.
3. Technology has removed the...

Credit union predictions take center stage as Mark Ritter hosts Jeff Lyons on Credit Union Conversations to review their 2025 forecasts. The MBFS leaders analyze their interest rate forecasts, NCUA board changes, and tariff-negotiation predictions with a candid self-assessment. Throughout this engaging review, they explore Federal Reserve rate cuts, consumer lending trends, commercial lending stability, and the challenges facing credit unions in the auto loan market as vehicle prices surpass $50,000. They examine the accuracy of housing market forecasts and the outcomes of budget deal negotiations, while acknowledging mixed results in their prognostication.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:

✅ How NCUA board changes and Supreme Court cases continue to impact credit union regulatory oversight, with the FTC lawsuit setting precedent for future administrative decisions affecting the credit union industry.

✅ Why the auto loan market faces unprecedented challenges as average new vehicle prices exceed $50,000, causing consumers to hold vehicles longer and fundamentally shifting credit union business strategies.

✅ The accuracy of inflation predictions and credit card delinquency forecasts, including how CPI data at 2.7% contradicts consumer experiences of rising costs in everyday purchases.

✅ How commercial lending stability diverged from consumer lending trends in 2025, creating a bifurcated lending environment that requires different strategic approaches 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 Mark Ritter and Jeff Lyons review their year-end credit union predictions for 2025 and discuss their accuracy

00:38 NCUA board changes discussion covering the firing of Democratic board members and predictions about Supreme Court cases impacting regulatory authority

01:33 Interest rate forecasts review, revealing they missed by 25 basis points and tariff negotiations analysis examining how tariffs became a negotiating tool

07:07 Auto loan market and consumer lending trends, highlighting the average cost of a vehicle and the lending environment affecting credit union business

09:06 Discussion of credit card debt to be determined in February and March, and some football talk: Penn State and Rutgers

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

💲Tariff negotiations proved to be primarily a negotiating tool rather than a permanent policy, with initial concerns about widespread economic impact diminishing by year-end as countries eagerly negotiated with the U.S., validating the prediction that tariff discussions would fade from headlines.

💲Budget deal negotiations successfully extended and codified existing tax rate extensions rather than allowing rates to sunset, demonstrating how political necessity drives compromise even in divided government scenarios. However, healthcare insurance rates remain unresolved heading into the new year.

💲Housing market forecast accuracy was mixed as hot markets experienced price corrections while other areas remained stable.

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Jeff Lyons - LinkedIn

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Mark Ritter - Website

Mark Ritter - LinkedIn

SEO KEYWORDS:

Credit Union Conversations, Mark...

In this episode of Credit Union Conversations, host Mark Ritter speaks with Josh Rodriguez of West Community Credit Union about authentic community engagement, storytelling through podcasting, and the evolving role of credit unions in a competitive financial landscape.

Josh shares his 20+ year journey in the credit union industry—from phone teller to President & CEO of a small credit union, and now serving in one of the industry’s most unique roles: Assistant Vice President of FinTech and Mission Integration. He reflects on the challenges of leading a small credit union, the difficult but member-focused decision to merge, and how West Community Credit Union has embedded “people helping people” into its culture through hands-on community involvement.

The conversation explores why traditional marketing tactics often fall flat and how audio storytelling and podcasting can help credit unions emotionally connect with members and communities. Josh breaks down West Community’s Banking On You Podcast, a narrative-driven audio series that highlights real community impact rather than products or promotions.

Mark and Josh also discuss small credit union survival strategies, the realities of fintech partnerships, and why community engagement must go beyond check-writing and photo ops. This episode is a must-listen for credit union leaders, marketers, and executives looking to strengthen community trust, modernize outreach, and tell their story more effectively.

What You Will Learn in This Episode:

✅ How credit unions can use storytelling and podcasting to build trust, emotional connection, and brand relevance beyond traditional financial marketing.

✅ What small credit union leaders must consider when facing sustainability challenges, including when a merger may be the most member-focused decision.

✅ Why authentic, hands-on community engagement matters more than surface-level philanthropy and how it strengthens long-term relationships.

✅ How fintech innovation can coexist with mission-driven values, allowing credit unions to modernize without losing their “people helping people” identity.

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 Welcome to Credit Union Conversations

01:14 Meet Josh Rodriguez

05:16 Life lessons from running a small credit union

07:20 Deciding to merge: putting members and staff first

09:41 West Community Credit Union’s mission and community focus

11:00 Active engagement vs. check-writing philanthropy

13:43 Why credit unions should invest in podcasting

15:44 Audio storytelling and the Banking On You Podcast

19:05 Why credit unions struggle to tell their story

22:33 Josh’s role: FinTech & Mission Integration explained

26:03 Advice for small credit unions today

29:18 Rethinking community involvement

30:00 Where to find Josh and West Community Credit Union

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

✅ Authentic storytelling is a strategic advantage for credit unions. Members connect more deeply with real stories than product-driven messaging. Through podcasting and audio storytelling, credit unions can highlight real community impact, humanize their brand, and differentiate themselves in an increasingly crowded financial services landscape.

✅ Podcasting creates emotional connection at scale. Unlike ads or social posts, podcasts allow credit unions to slow down, go deeper, and engage listeners in meaningful conversations. Josh shares how West Community Credit Union’s Banking On You Podcast focuses on community narratives rather than promotions—building trust and

Commercial real estate lending saw unprecedented growth in 2025, defying expectations. In this episode of Credit Union Conversations, host Mark Ritter sits down with Kristina Paulson to explore the dramatic 30% increase in loan volume despite persistently high interest rates. They discuss evolving debt service coverage ratio requirements, the impact of rate resets on existing portfolios, and creative loan restructuring strategies. Kristina shares insights on commercial loan underwriting challenges, softening office building markets, and property values holding steady across most sectors. The conversation offers a critical perspective on credit union lending portfolio management and what commercial real estate market trends to expect in 2026. Stay tuned at the end to hear their favorite Christmas traditions.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:

✅ How credit unions managed a surprising 30% surge in loan volume throughout 2025, despite high interest rates and why similar lending trends are expected to continue into 2026.

✅ Why debt service coverage ratio minimums have increased from 1.20 to 1.25 across the industry, and how commercial loan underwriting standards have become more meticulous due to rising insurance, utilities, and operating expenses.

✅ Which commercial real estate sectors face the most significant risk, particularly office buildings experiencing rate resets from low-interest loans originated in 2020-2021, and what creative loan restructuring strategies are emerging?

✅ How property values are holding steady in most markets, while credit union portfolio managers must monitor existing loans more carefully as higher expenses impact DSCR requirements and risk ratings.

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 2025 commercial real estate lending trends, MBFS growth, the unexpected surge in loan volume

03:04 Interest rates reality check: Why predicted rate drops never materialized and how borrowers adapted to the higher rate environment for commercial loans

06:01 Debt service coverage ratio challenges: Rising DSCR requirements, increased scrutiny on insurance, utilities, and operating expenses in commercial loan underwriting

08:02 Property values holding steady, loan amounts decrease to maintain the debt service coverage ratio, and troubled commercial real estate loans as they roll over for refinancing in 2026-2027

10:39 Holiday traditions discussion: Kristina shares family Christmas celebrations, decorating, baking cookies, and extended family gatherings on Christmas Eve

12:26 Childhood Christmas memories: for the Paulson and Ritter families

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

💲Commercial real estate lending volume increased over 30% in 2025 across the industry, requiring credit unions to rapidly expand their teams despite initial expectations of a flat year, with similar loan volume anticipated for 2026.

💲Debt service coverage ratio standards have tightened industry-wide, with minimum requirements rising from 1.20 to 1.25 as lenders account for inflation's impact on insurance, utilities, and operating expenses in commercial loan underwriting decisions.

💲The most significant portfolio risks exist in office buildings and larger metropolitan markets where rate resets from ultra-low 2020-2021 loans are creating coverage challenges, requiring creative loan restructuring or property conversions to alternative uses like apartments.

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Kristina Paulson -...

Credit Union Service Organizations are evolving rapidly, and NACUSO's new CEO, Randy Salser, discusses the future of CUSO collaboration in this episode of Credit Union Conversations with host Mark Ritter. Salser shares insights on credit union innovation, the critical 1% capital rule restricting CUSO investments, and NACUSO's advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill. The discussion covers member business lending, fintech partnerships, and how credit unions can leverage CUSO’s to gain a competitive advantage. Salser emphasizes that collaboration remains the credit union movement's superpower, highlighting upcoming initiatives, including the reimagined NACUSO conference and regional roundtables to foster year-round credit union networking.

What You Will Learn in This Episode:

✅ How the 1% capital rule restricts credit union investments in CUSOs and limits stablecoin opportunities, member business lending initiatives, and other CUSO activities that could help credit unions compete with larger financial institutions.

✅ NACUSO's advocacy strategy focuses on CUSO model protection, third-party vendor oversight, and collaborating with America's Credit Unions and DCUC to address regulatory challenges while playing both offense and defense on Capitol Hill.

✅ The reimagined NACUSO conference format features intentional tracks, educational content on CUSO formation, regional roundtables, and collaborative networking opportunities that extend credit union engagement beyond annual events.

✅ How credit union collaboration through CUSOs enables innovation, risk mitigation, and scale that individual institutions struggle to achieve alone, with opportunities for credit unions, CUSOs, and fintechs to partner strategically.

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 Randy Salser, new NACUSO CEO, explains the history and how credit union collaboration through the CUSO model drives credit union innovation over 40 years

03:39 Randy shares his professional background

06:10 NACUSO advocacy on Capitol Hill addressing the 1% capital rule, Genius Act, stablecoins, and member business lending restrictions

13:02 April 2026 reimagined NACUSO conference in Orlando featuring educational tracks on CUSO formation, regional roundtables, and credit union networking

16:20 Randy shares his vision for the future of the CUSO

22:30 Credit union industry consolidation from 14,000 to 4,400 institutions and evolution of trade associations navigating CUSO complexity with fintechs and private equity

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

✅ The arbitrary 1% capital rule severely limits credit union investment capacity across ALL CUSO activities collectively—from stablecoins to insurance to member business lending—preventing credit unions from competing with mega players like Coinbase, Amazon, and Meta in emerging financial services.

✅ NACUSO is transforming from an annual event organization into a year-round credit union community platform with regional roundtables, modern educational resources, webinars, and collaborative opportunities that connect credit unions, CUSOs, and fintechs for strategic partnership development.

✅ Credit union industry consolidation — from 14,000 to 4,400 institutions — demands that trade associations deliver speed, clarity, and actionable data while cutting through complexity. NACUSO's unique positioning focuses on CUSO-specific advocacy and collaborative innovation as the movement's competitive superpower.

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Annual reviews of commercial lending take center stage as Mark Ritter hosts Kristina Paulson on Credit Union Conversations. This MBFS Quick Hits episode tackles year-end commercial loan annual reviews and the persistent debate over K-1 documentation. Kristina, AVP of Credit Services at MBFS, shares practical strategies for managing unresponsive borrowers and explains why tax return analysis alone isn't sufficient. The conversation explores improvements to the credit analysis process, portfolio risk assessment techniques, and how commercial loan policy updates can reduce low-value activities. Learn why cash flow calculation requires K-1 forms and discover relationship-building opportunities hidden within the annual review process.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:

✅ How to handle uncooperative borrowers during the annual review season, including escalation strategies like formal demand letters and default rate implementation when borrower financial statements aren't provided.

✅ Why K-1 forms are essential for accurate cash flow calculation and how they reveal distributions and contributions that standard tax returns cannot show, making them critical for proper credit analysis.

✅ How to update your commercial lending compliance policies to focus resources on high-risk loans rather than reviewing every small business loan in your portfolio, improving efficiency while maintaining regulatory standards.

✅ How annual reviews create sales opportunities to identify needs like lines of credit or refinancing options while monitoring portfolio health and strengthening business services relationships.

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 Kristina shares her commercial lending career path and role as AVP of Credit Services at MBFS

03:12 Year-end annual review challenges and common borrower communication issues discussed

05:15 Red flags when borrowers avoid providing financial statements and potential underlying problems

06:05 Enforcement strategies and why credit unions must establish consequences for non-compliance and sales opportunities within annual reviews, including lines of credit and refinancing options

09:01 Commercial loan policy updates to focus on high-risk loans versus low-value activities

10:54 K-1 documentation importance explained, and why tax returns alone are insufficient for cash flow analysis

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

✅ Unresponsive borrowers during annual review season often signal deeper financial problems—lack of cooperation after multiple attempts should trigger escalation, including formal demand letters and potential default rates to enforce loan agreement requirements.

✅ K-1 forms are non-negotiable for accurate commercial lending analysis because they reveal distributions and contributions that impact cash flow, information that standard tax returns simply cannot provide to lenders.

✅ Modern commercial loan policies should be risk-based rather than reviewing every loan—focus credit analyst resources on larger, higher-risk transactions. In contrast, smaller loans, such as vehicle financing, require minimal oversight for efficient portfolio management.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Mark Ritter - Website

Mark Ritter - LinkedIn

MBFS Website

SEO...

Today on Credit Union Conversations, Mark Ritter sits down with Bryan Doxford of Grow America to discuss innovative approaches to supporting small businesses, affordable housing, and underserved communities. Bryan shares insights into the mission-driven work of Grow America, including its role in providing capital through SBA loans, new market tax credits, and low-income housing initiatives. Bryan highlights how Grow America partners with credit unions, CDFIs, and community organizations to bridge funding gaps, offer economic development training, and help businesses access the capital they need to thrive.

They also delve into the current state of Certified Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), exploring trends in consolidation, grant reliance, and self-sufficiency. Bryan underscores the importance of collaboration, both between mission-aligned organizations and with credit unions, to maximize impact in underserved communities. From small business lending to affordable housing and workforce development, this episode provides actionable insights for credit unions and community-focused organizations seeking to expand their impact.

What You Will Learn in This Episode:

✅How Grow America (formerly NDC) drives community impact

✅The evolving landscape of CDFIs

✅The national housing shortage & affordability crisis

✅How credit unions and CDFIs can partner for greater impact

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

01:00 Bryan Doxford’s career journey: from credit unions to SBA lending

07:00 About Grow America’s mission and programs

09:00 Explanation of new market tax credits

11:00 Current state and future of CDFIs

17:100 Affordable housing initiatives and impact

21:00 Training programs and community partnerships

24:00 Access to capital and client community examples

25:00 How credit unions can collaborate with Grow America

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

💎Grow America partners with credit unions and CDFIs to provide access to SBA and non-SBA business loans, bridging capital gaps in underserved communities.

💎The future of CDFIs may involve strategic consolidation and increased self-sufficiency, balancing grant reliance with sustainable operations.

💎Affordable housing initiatives, new market tax credits, and technical training programs are critical tools for driving economic development nationwide.

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Bryan Doxford is a finance and community development expert with over 20 years of experience working with credit unions, banks, and SBA lending programs. Currently leading lending initiatives at Grow America, Bryan focuses on expanding access to capital, affordable housing, and economic development in underserved communities across the U.S.

Grow America Website

Bryan Doxford LinkedIn

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Mark Ritter - Website

Mark Ritter - LinkedIn

SEO KEYWORDS:

Credit Union Conversations, Mark Ritter, MBFS, Credit Unions, CUSO, Youth Banking, Family Banking, Digital Banking, How To Money...

Central Pennsylvania tourism offers incredible experiences beyond the well-known cities of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. In this episode of Credit Union Conversations, host Mark Ritter welcomes back Steve Young of MBFS to explore the region's hidden treasures. From the historic Gettysburg Battlefield to the sweet delights of Hershey, Pennsylvania, they discuss why this area deserves recognition as one of America's untapped vacation destinations. The conversation covers Lancaster County attractions, including the renowned Sight and Sound Theater, charming Lititz, and authentic Amish experiences. They also highlight Carlisle Car Shows, Knoebels Amusement Park, and local favorites such as Caledonia State Park, making a compelling case for the best family vacation spots in central Pennsylvania that offer exceptional value and memorable experiences.

What you will learn from this episode:

✅ Discover why Central Pennsylvania tourism offers exceptional value compared to major theme parks, with destinations like Knoebels Amusement Park providing free admission, affordable food, and beautiful natural settings.

✅ Explore the rich history and modern attractions of Gettysburg Battlefield, Hershey, Pennsylvania, and Lancaster County attractions, including world-class entertainment at the Giant Center in Hershey, authentic Amish experiences, and the charming town of Lititz, Pennsylvania.

✅ Learn about unique Central Pennsylvania experiences from Carlisle Car Shows that draw collectors nationwide to Pennsylvania State Parks like Caledonia State Park, plus hidden culinary gems, including Northeast Pennsylvania pizza and local Pennsylvania wineries.

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 Mark welcomes Steve Young from MBFS to discuss hidden tourist gems between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia

02:20 Steve shares how the Gettysburg Battlefield took on deeper meaning for him through a leadership class exploring Civil War communication and strategy

03:39 Discussion of Hershey, Pennsylvania, featuring Chocolate World, Giant Center Hershey concerts, outlet shopping, and Trans-Siberian Orchestra performances

05:24 Exploring Lancaster County attractions, including Lititz, Pennsylvania, Sight And Sound Theater, Amish Country, and accessibility from major metropolitan areas

08:23 Steve Young discusses his yellow Corvette and how Carlisle Car Shows draw collectors nationwide

10:25 Discussion of the benefits of Knoebels Amusement Park over other amusement parks and the Caledonia State Park

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

✅ Central Pennsylvania tourism offers exceptional value with attractions like Knoebels Amusement Park providing free admission and parking. At the same time, Lancaster County sits within two hours of New York, Washington, and Philadelphia, making it an ideal, affordable family destination.

✅ The region features diverse experiences from historic Gettysburg Battlefield and Pennsylvania wineries to...