Risk Management Articles
Lending Strategies That Generate a Quick Return (Part 2 of 2)
Your credit union has set its 2018 budget, but it has some limited extra funds to invest in the short-term. Where should it invest right now to get the most bang for the ROI? In part one of our two-part article series, we discussed how optimizing existing systems can be a smart lending strategy that…
Lending Strategies That Generate a Quick Return (Part 1 of 2)
If a credit union finds itself with a budget surplus and ROI is a must, where should it look to invest in the short term? I’d suggest two primary strategies to produce a quick return. The first would be to optimize existing systems, and the second would be to invest in self-funding initiatives. When optimizing…
Lending Data & the Credit Union Mandate
The very first provision of the Federal Credit Union Act declares that, in addition to promoting thrift, credit unions exist to create a source of credit for members to be used for provident or productive purposes. The lending department is key to credit unions fulfilling this mandate. Your credit union’s loan products help members build…
The Prospects of Change
This is graduation season. Over the past two weekends, I’m proud to have had the opportunity to celebrate college graduations for my youngest two daughters. It has certainly been hectic, as these graduations were at two different schools — in two different states, but it is truly a blessing to know that I have completed…
The Time Is Now to Prioritize Technology for the Future
With the economy improving, the unemployment rate being the lowest it has been in nine years, and consumer confidence building momentum, credit unions continue to experience steady member and loan growth, low delinquencies and charge offs. These are all very positive signs, but can foster a false sense of security if not careful. History has…
Drive ’17 Conference Delivers the Speakers and Strategies to Help CUs Win
The lending marketplace continues to see competition ramp up. And now, more than ever, to remain not only competitive, but to gain market share, credit unions that embrace cutting-edge technology and strategies to capture more loans, improve loan portfolio performance, better engage members, and improve member loyalty, have a distinct advantage. Leading experts and innovators…
The Importance of Random Facts
Recently, I was in a conversation with a colleague where I described myself as an “Encyclopedia of Useless Random Facts.” For whatever reason, what is seemingly trivial information to others is often of interest to me. Take for example that a higher percentage of U.S. presidents were left handed than the general population. I’m sure…
Of Ragnars and Other Things
Each New Year brings the opportunity for us to start fresh and set new goals. People often mark the occasion with resolutions of change and commitment to personal improvement. Yet, by February many have forgotten the optimism that the New Year brought, once the realities of life have reminded us of our limitations. The same…
Embracing Technology to Assess Risk and Improve Your Competitive Edge
Have you ever bought a new car and, like me, just hopped in and started driving without reading the owner’s manual to discover what features and options the vehicle had? Months, and maybe years, go by without knowing you have some really cool features. Or maybe, you have a feature you know about, but you…
Strategies For Success in Today’s Competitive Lending Marketplace — the Focus of Drive ’15 Conference
How can credit unions better compete against banks and other financial institutions in an increasingly competitive lending landscape? Engaging members more effectively — and more often, improving member loyalty, and capturing more member loans, are all vital aspects of gaining an edge in today’s marketplace. Problem is, where do you go to get the expert…