Starting Simple, Small and with Purpose
Glen speaks with the CU De Novo Collective’s Denise Wymore about the grassroots groundswell of interest in starting new credit unions, overcoming the challenges of progressing from concept to market, and why a voice for CU creation is needed to counter a one-way trend. Also- Fiserv’s stablecoin play, The FTA’s attempt to preserve open banking, and how AI regulation became a budget issue.
Utah Community Credit Union and TransWest Credit Union Complete Core-Systems Merger in Record Five Months, Supported by Best Innovation Group
PROVO, Utah–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Utah Community Credit Union (UCCU) and TransWest Credit Union today announced the successful completion of their core-systems merger just five months after signing the letter of intent. By partnering closely with Best Innovation Group (BIG) and blending UCCU’s member-service culture with BIG’s rapid-deployment methodology, the team delivered a seamless transition with zero member downtime.
Circle’s Stroke of Genius/Can Anyone Regulate AI?
John and Glen ruminate on a pair of major events reshuffling the fintech world- The Circle IPO’s impact on venture funding, and the Big Beautiful Bill’s unorthodox approach to throttling AI regulation. Also- John gets “spun out on quantum,” and admits a surprising change of heart regarding his outlook for AI.
CU Town Hall Episode 136: Headlines and Hot Takes
In this session, we dove into the chaos, in a good way. With everything from AI developments to economic curveballs making waves across the financial world, we opened the floor for a timely discussion on what’s happening now, what’s coming next, and how to stay ready for whatever the future throws at us.
CU Town Hall Episode 135: The Spring Circuit Rundown
As the dust settles on a packed spring conference season, John, Mike, Glen and Lou led a lively discussion on the top trends and takeaways from recent credit union and fintech events. From emerging tech to shifting compliance priorities, we unpacked what’s driving conversations and decisions across the industry.
Have Your Bot Call My Bot
Recapping this month’s Finovate Spring event, Glen connects with Steven Ramirez (Beyond the Arc) and Elias Kruger (Long Range AI) to compare notes on the standouts and key takeaways- such as agentic AI- from San Diego. Also- Coinbase packs a year’s news into a single week, and Nevada looks to enter the payments fray.
CU Town Hall Episode 134: Mergers, Mayhem & The NCUA
In this session, we discussed the latest wave of credit union mergers, shakeups at the NCUA, shifting economic indicators, and other headlines that have been making waves across the industry. We explored what these developments could mean for your strategy, your members, and the future of the credit union movement.
Getting Direct About ACH
A pair of conversations from last week’s Smarter Faster Payments conference- Glen’s annual check-in with Nacha CEO Jane Larimer, and PASA CEO Ghita Erling shares insights on modernizing South Africa’s payment system through collaboration rather than mandate. Also- AI shopping agents, Uber discovers paper, and the vultures swirl around checks.
Going Where the Trust Is
Continuing our NACUSO Reimagine coverage, Glen speaks with Silvur founder Rhian Horgan about the “social journey of retirement” and how credit unions can play to their strengths in transitioning their biggest borrowers into their biggest depositors. Also- more of John’s conversation with cybersecurity expert Emma Zaballos about DeepSeek’s rise and the broader operational concerns around AI.
CU Town Hall Episode 133: FDIC Opens the Crypto Door for CUs
In this session, we discussed the FDIC’s recent decision to ease restrictions on cryptocurrency activities for financial institutions and its impact on credit unions. With prior approval no longer required, credit unions have new opportunities to explore crypto services—but also face risks like market volatility, security threats, and regulatory uncertainty. Join us as we break down the key challenges, benefits, and compliance strategies for navigating this evolving landscape.