April 2, 2025 • 47 mins
On this episode of the ONpoint Podcast, ACUMA President Peter Benjamin is joined by Yvonne Case, Director of Mortgage Sales from Texell Credit Union. Join us as Peter and Yvonne discuss advocacy for mortgage lending as a strategic imperative rather than just a necessary product offering. She challenges credit unions to increase awareness of their mortgage services year-round, noting that seasonality is no longer a factor and members will seek these services elsewhere if not prominently promoted. Her practical advice for gaining leadership buy-in focuses on the substantial non-interest income mortgages generate – particularly valuable as traditional fee income faces growing regulatory scrutiny.
Additionally, she discusses the transformative power of the Texas Credit Union Real Estate Network (CUREN). Under her leadership, this vital organization expanded from Dallas-Fort Worth to serve credit unions across the entire state, dramatically increasing participation and knowledge-sharing opportunities. "Not any one person knows everything," she emphasizes, highlighting how credit unions of all sizes benefit from collaborative networking.
Whether you're a seasoned mortgage professional or new to credit union lending, this episode delivers valuable insights on relationship-building, the power of collaborative networks and staying motivated through industry challenges. Listen now to discover how the credit union difference shines brightest when we work together to lift each other up.
Sponsored by Optimal Blue.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
The views and opinions expressed in this
podcast do not necessarilyreflect the views or positions
of Acuma, its board of directors, its management staff or its
members.
The podcast discussionpresented is conversational in
nature and for generalinformation only.
Speaker 3 (00:32):
Hello, welcome back to the Don't Play Podcast, a
series focused on sharing thestories of people who are making
a positive impact in the creditunion mortgage industry.
I'm your host, Peter Benjamin.
Before we get to our episode,just a quick word from our
sponsor.
Speaker 4 (00:42):
Optimal Blue effectively bridges primary and
secondary mortgage markets todeliver the industry's only
end-to-end capital marketsplatform.
The company helps credit unionsof all sizes deliver from your
experiences to members pursuingthe dream of home ownership.
Through innovative technology,a network of interconnectivity,
rich data, insights andexpertise gathered over more
(01:04):
than 20 years, optimal Blue isan experienced partner that, in
any market, allows credit unionsto optimize their advantage,
from pricing accuracy to marginprotection and every step in
between.
To learn more, visitOptimalBluecom.
Speaker 3 (01:19):
Today I am joined by Yvonne Case, director of
Mortgage Sales with Texel CreditUnion.
Yvonne, how are you doing today?
Speaker 2 (01:27):
Hey, peter, I'm doing great, excited to be here.
Speaker 3 (01:31):
That is fantastic.
I am thrilled that you're hereand I am absolutely pumped that
we are the first podcast thatyou've ever been on, are the
first podcast that you've everbeen on.
(01:52):
This.
I feel blessed that that thatwe get to be the one that it
kind of breaks you into thepodcast experience.
We'll be gentle, I promise Now.
Well, I appreciate that, peter.
No, of course, of course.
Now, yvonne, over the yearsI've gotten a chance to know you
and I've been truly impressedwith everything that you've done
(02:12):
with the Texas Curin and yourdemeanor and how people flock to
you.
I want to dive into thatconversation a bit more, but
before we do, as always, I needto pull Justin in and get a
quick update on the latest andgreatest happening over at Acuma
(02:34):
.
So, hawk, how are you doingtoday and please tell us what is
happening over at Acuma.
Speaker 5 (02:40):
I'm good, Peter.
How are you Living the dream?
I know.
Can you believe it?
We are one week away from ourfirst in-person event of the
year, the Viewpoint RegionalSummit on April 8th and 9th in
Pensacola.
Speaker 3 (02:53):
I cannot believe it.
Come on See what I did there.
I know man.
Speaker 5 (02:59):
See what I did there.
Speaker 3 (03:00):
You liked it.
Speaker 5 (03:02):
It was okay.
I know I'm a little raspy.
I got to get my my, my, myWahoo voice going and I feel, I
feel like the spring allergiesare hitting you right now.
They are very badly.
I had watery eyes all weekend.
This year we're going to notonly take in the educational
sessions but we're also going tohave an experience at the Blue
Wahoos minor league baseballgame Bread, networking,
(03:24):
reception and lots of cheering.
And yes, there will be cheeringbecause hopefully it'll be the
only time I ever root for theFlorida team to win, but it will
be a time I root for a Floridateam to win.
Anyways, I have to digress.
Anyways, registration is openfor our folk point workshops,
like in years past, similarcontent and format, just in two
different cities, two differentlocations.
(03:46):
So we'll be in Savannah,georgia, from May 6th and 7th
and Seattle, washington, fromJune 3rd to 4th.
So if you haven't registered,there's still plenty of time.
Head over to the Hackamywebsite and register for those
two events.
Lastly, our biggest event ofthe year, the Make your Mark
Annual Conference, is set forSeptember 21st to the 24th in
(04:06):
Denver, colorado.
Registration is opening verysoon.
So stay tuned.
That's the biggest hand I cangive you.
Speaker 3 (04:15):
I was hoping.
I was hoping you were going tohint at it.
Speaker 5 (04:19):
Yeah, very soon.
Like this month.
Yeah, this month soon.
We're down to the week's numbercountdown.
Like this month.
Yeah, this month soon.
Um, we're we're down to theweek's number countdown at this
point.
So, uh, we've been putting in alot of work.
Peter has an amazing agendabuilt out.
Um, uh, our sponsors are linedup.
I mean, everybody's ready torock and roll for that annual
event this year and it's justgoing to be awesome and there's
(04:41):
going to be a special treat.
There's always special treats,I know, but do we want to tell
people, no, there's going to bea special treat.
So you got to pay really goodclose attention to that agenda.
There are things you are notgoing to want to miss.
I agree.
Speaker 3 (04:55):
But if we focus on the actual content I know I say
it every year, but I actuallymean it this year.
You meant it last year too.
I didn't mean it this year.
You meant it last year too.
I didn't mean it last year too,but, hands down, by far this is
the best agenda, that that weput together hands down.
(05:19):
Um, I don't know what it was, II think it was just I, I ate my
Wheaties or something like that, and I did something right when
I sat down to put together thisagenda.
It's, this is the best agenda,that that that we put together
hands down.
And I guess this is what numberfour for us, this will be
(05:39):
number four.
Speaker 5 (05:40):
number four I guess.
Speaker 3 (05:41):
So in the past we'll make number fours is so far
looking like the best agendathat we, that we put that we put
together so really excited.
Um, I can't believe it's justweeks away till registration is
opening I know I neither can I.
Speaker 5 (05:58):
I I joke with people all the time that we live six
months ahead of everybody else,but but hopefully that's not a
precursor to life longevity.
Anyways, if you're not able tojoin us at any of our in-person
events, don't worry.
We have plenty of educationalstuff going on year round.
So we have our fast track andinside track webinar series.
(06:19):
Those are happening on amonthly basis, just about every
two weeks apart.
So head over to the Acumawebsite to hear all the greatest
upcoming webinars and then, ifyou can't make a webinar, we
always have the On Point podcast, which keep the learning going
all year round.
All right, appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (06:37):
All right, justin.
Thank you very much.
All right, yvonne, back to you,yvonne, yvonne, yvonne.
So the Atomism Point podcast,you know, started off as this
crazy idea that I had to tellthe stories of people who make a
positive impact in the creditunion mortgage industry, and I
(06:59):
said that in my intro and youheard it, my intro, and you
heard it, and you know, thereare very few people one that I
think who have made such along-term impact in our industry
like you.
I mean, you have been in ourindustry and I mean this in a
(07:21):
very positive way for a longtime and you continue to make a
very positive impact in ourindustry through the Texas Curin
, a very large Curin, which hasa state that has a lot of credit
unions and a Curin that has alot of members.
If I remember correctly, youare the chair of that board,
(07:42):
correct?
Speaker 2 (07:44):
Yes, I am the president standing and have been
for the last 12 years.
Speaker 3 (07:49):
There you go, see if you're doing something right.
They don't kick you out, butyou make a significant impact.
And so for those who don't knowyou, for the very few people
who do not know you and thereason why I kind of had that
long-winded intro, you know thisI think it's important for us
(08:12):
to kind of say you know, letpeople know who you are, because
that that's the most importantfundamental thing about this
podcast.
Right?
The big question, the numberone question, is you know who is
Yvonne Case?
I think that's where that's ourstarting point in any podcast
that we have is who are you?
(08:34):
So who's Yvonne Case?
Walk us through that.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
Yeah, of course, peter.
Well, I want to start off bysaying I'm a wife and mother of
three, and the reason I say thatis because family is at the
heart of everything I do andthey give me the strength and
motivation to balance both mypersonal and professional lives.
I've spent my entire mortgagecareer 24 years in the credit
(08:59):
union world.
I never knew mortgage outsideof credit union, so credit
unions is what I know inmortgage lending and I knew
early on that I had a passionfor what I was doing.
I realized early in my careerthat my personal values, like
integrity, my community focusand the deep commitment to
(09:21):
helping others, were perfectlyin line with the mission of
credit unions.
The deep commitment to helpingothers were perfectly in line
with the mission of creditunions.
It's not just about makingloans.
While that's great and itbrings us money, it's about
building lasting relationshipsand supporting individuals and
families in ways that empowerthem for the long term.
Over the years, I've worn manyhats.
I started originating,processing just home equity
(09:44):
loans, and then I went on tooriginate mortgage loans.
I was a product manager trainerfor our team during our growth
spurt, I did sales managementand now I'm director of mortgage
sales here at TechSell.
You know holding multiple roles, the roles throughout the year
or through my career.
(10:06):
There were many of times Iquestioned myself and wondered
if I could be truly successfulin what I was doing.
I was fortunate to work with anincredible leader, someone who
pushed me, she believed in meand always encouraged me to
challenge myself, believed in meand always encouraged me to
(10:27):
challenge myself, and because ofher support, I was always
willing to try.
While being scared, I tried andI did whatever she needed or
asked of me, which is why I didhold so many different roles in
the credit union world.
But that experience shaped whoI am today as a leader.
And now my greatest passion isfor developing people, helping
them grow, believe in themselvesand push beyond their own limit
(10:50):
.
I want those that I lead tofeel the same kind of support
and encouragement that I wasgiven throughout my career.
And, peter, that passionactually extends beyond my
immediate team.
I believe in the power of thecredit union movement people
helping people and I feelstrongly that we should all be
(11:10):
lifting each other up.
That's why I've been involvedwith the Texas Curant at some
capacity for nearly 20 years,bringing credit unions together
to help credit unionprofessionals learn, grow and
succeed together.
That's very important to me,and so that kind of sums up who
Yvonne is.
Speaker 3 (11:29):
Okay, I love it.
I love it All, right.
So you know you, you kind ofstarted down a path of what,
which was my next question,right, you know the that, the
Texas Karen.
Right, and I don't want tospend the whole time on the
Texas curing because, but Ithink it's you mentioned in our
pre-recording, you know exchangeof emails, how important you
(11:53):
know the Texas curing is in yourcareer and your journey and
really your life, right, and youknow, in everything you just
said, you know I, I heard it inyour voice and I heard it in the
way you just expressed thepassion for one art industry,
(12:16):
but the desire to really want tomove others forward, I guess,
is that why you stay so heavilyinvolved in the cure.
It's just to find a better pathforward, to help others succeed.
(12:36):
And knowing that, hey, we don'tdo everything right, I mean the
Kardashians, I mean you know it, I mean, big or small, we don't
always do the right way but ifyou could help in some way,
shape or form, you're going to,is that why you stay so heavily
involved in the Texas Curran?
Speaker 2 (12:51):
Absolutely.
You know, throughout my yearsbeing involved with the Texas
Curran, you know there were manyof years where I was with a
much larger credit union andparticipating in the Texas
current, I could bring a lot ofvalue for the smaller credit
unions that were just trying tobuild different products and,
(13:15):
you know, grow their mortgageprograms.
But I also learned from thesmaller credit unions because
none of us are doing 100% ofwhat we do right and we learn
from our mistakes, our you know,our trials and and just trying
different products and how weutilize our processes and our
(13:39):
resources, our people.
And you know what I learnedvery early on is not every, not
any one person knows everythingand that by coming together with
other credit unions that aresame-minded could help me just
as much as I could help them.
(13:59):
And having that support groupfor me was very important,
especially in my early years.
But as time went on I saw thedifference that Karen was making
in the Texas credit unions.
Altogether We've grownsignificantly because I do
believe that when we do, when wecome together quarterly, we
(14:24):
bring so much value to what thecredit unions need.
And it's not just theeducational pieces, peter, it's
also just the collaboration wealways make time for networking
in between our sessions so thatpeople can truly talk to each
other.
It's not just let me show up andget the education piece and
(14:47):
leave.
It's about the collaborationand then leaving there and
knowing that, hey, I can emailanother credit union to talk to
them about.
Hey, what are y'all doing foryour comp?
Have you made any updates toyour programs?
Or to how you're paying yourloan officers?
Or you know what is the marketdoing in your area and what are
(15:11):
y'all doing to adjust to that.
So having that collaborationwith the credit unions that
participate has been wonderfuland I know that I don't I'm not
the only one that sees that andso it's been very important for
me to make sure that we continuedown that path, to have that as
(15:33):
a resource, because, kind of asI said in my introduction, it's
not just about the developmentof my own team and the people
that I work directly with.
It's about helping the movementand helping others, anyone that
I can help, and I know that'show the rest of the CURIN board
(15:54):
feels as well.
Speaker 3 (15:57):
And I agree with you.
I mean, I think that's theimportance of the CURINs right,
and the more localized andregional approach to supporting
the credit union movement.
Right, and because not everycredit union has the means and
the ability to attend Acuna orACU or MBA or keep going or a
(16:22):
league, even right, it's justnot possible, right, whereas
oftentimes a curing can be freeand or a cure and can be at
their facilities or down thestreet or you name it.
I can just go down this laundrylist of places that the kareans
are just more accessible oreasily accessible.
(16:46):
But it also establishes anetwork of peers that are in
their backyard that want tosupport them.
And I think that's the best partabout the Kierans is that, yes,
mortgage is national.
(17:06):
You and I both know that.
Something that happens in Texas, you know it's very similar to
something that may happen inWashington DC from a general
mortgage standpoint, right, butlending in Texas is different,
and so having that network ofTexas credit unions that
(17:27):
understand how to lend in Texasis pretty important.
Same thing would be just likelending in the DC area.
Having that network of DC areacredit unions is pretty
important.
And so I think that's the bestpart about the curants because
you want to have that localnetwork in your back pocket.
I can tell you the number oftimes when I was in the head of
(17:49):
a mortgage division for a creditunion, the number of times I
would call friends that I met atthe Potomac Curan and say, hey,
I have this issue or I'm tryingto develop this program, help
me problem solve it Right.
And they would, yeah, wouldyeah, you know it's.
(18:10):
I think, yes, I, I.
I didn't utilize acumen quite abit.
I did use, you know, otherresources, but it was, it was
curans that really helped me.
Speaker 2 (18:22):
That's the best part, that localized support yeah, I,
I, I, 100, feel the same way soyou know, as you think about
you know your time as president.
Speaker 3 (18:35):
I, since I mean you've been president of the
texas curan for 12 years now.
You know what's been yourfavorite moment as president.
Speaker 2 (18:47):
I'd have to say my favorite moment was when we
expanded from having themeetings only in the Dallas-Fort
Worth area to Austin.
So when I started attendingcurrent meetings, I actually
found out about the TexasCurrent at the yearly ACUMA
event, at an ACUBA at the yearlyACUBA event At that particular
(19:11):
time it was in San Antonio.
They alternated the meetingsthroughout the United States and
the meeting was in San Antonio,so it was just down the street
from us and I actually found outabout the CURIN, the Texas
CURIN at that event and I'm like, oh my gosh, it's just in
Dallas.
I want to be a part of that.
(19:32):
So I attended.
I was really the only personoutside of the Dallas-Fort Worth
area to be there.
We were in an American Airlinesconference room and it probably
seated 20 people at the mostbut we were squeezing in like 25
people.
And so the first probably twoyears that I was involved with
(19:56):
the Texas Current, we kind ofwent into that room and squeezed
in and I would go to thequarterly meetings.
Well, as I got involved with theboard, got involved with the
board, I asked the question whywould we just stay in Dallas?
(20:17):
Texas is huge.
If we spread a little bit,maybe we could get more
participation from credit unions.
So thankfully they listened andwe had our first meeting in
Austin and then it expanded toSan Antonio and then to Houston.
So then we started alternatingquarterly.
We went from, you know, dallas,austin, houston and San Antonio
(20:41):
and I'd have to say that was myfavorite time was when we
actually went in Texasthroughout every region, because
we were then able to expand.
Because, you know, with mostcredit unions some mortgage
divisions only have threeemployees.
Well, if you lose one headcountfor a full day to go to a
(21:04):
current meeting, you're notgoing to be able to justify it.
So if you bring it regionallyto where the credit unions are,
it's a lot easier to get them tostep away, for, you know, four
to five hours than a full day.
So it definitely helpedincrease our credit union
(21:25):
participation by going to thedifferent regions.
Speaker 3 (21:29):
No, I mean it's smart .
I mean Texas is not small.
So one, I am one city away fromhitting the cycle in Texas, so
thank you.
One, thank you very much foralways inviting me to speak at
the Texas Curren, so thank youvery much for that.
Speaker 2 (21:47):
Well, yes, we draw a big crowd when you come, Peter.
You just have to know that.
Thank you very much for that.
Well, yeah, we, we, we, we drawa big crowd when you come,
peter.
You just have to know that.
Speaker 3 (21:53):
Thank you very much.
I think Dallas is the only oneI'm missing at this point in
time, so I'm going to El Paso.
What in May?
Speaker 2 (22:00):
May yeah.
Speaker 3 (22:02):
So I've done San Antonio, I've done Austin, I'm
going to El Paso.
I think Dallas is the last oneuntil I get the cycle.
But I just learned that youknow, el Paso is a two and a
half hour flight from Dallas.
And the funny thing is I justlearned I lived in Dallas for
almost five years and I neverwent to El Paso, so I just
(22:23):
learned how big the state iswhen it's when you have that
large, that long of a flightFrom Dallas to El Paso and
there's no stops.
I know right, the state is whenit's when you have that large,
that long of a flight fromdallas to el paso and there's no
stops.
I know, right, that's long,that's a long flight.
Um, all right, so pivoting awayfrom the texas curing.
(22:43):
So you, you talk about thecredit union and we talk about
the credit credit union movementa lot on this podcast.
You know we talk about thecredit union movement and we
talk about the credit creditunion movement a lot on this
podcast.
You know we talk about thecredit union movement a lot in
webinars and at our conferences,and you attend our conferences.
I mean, this is the regularpart of our regular conversation
(23:05):
, something that we ongoinglyreference as something that we,
as credit union leaders, need toimprove upon, things that we
have to continue to talk about.
So this next series of questionsis really focused on that.
So, in your opinion, as someonewho's really seen the highs and
(23:28):
lows, the trials, thetribulations you name it the
positives what do we need to do,from your opinion, to move the
credit union movement forward?
Because I think, ultimately,we're all vested in this.
We all want to be successful,we all care about our members,
(23:51):
but I think you have to agreewith me Oftentimes we get stuck
in a rut and we are not movingthis thing forward, we're not
steering this ship.
What's the unabashed Yvonnecase, how do we move this moving
(24:13):
forward?
Speaker 2 (24:15):
I think it all falls to awareness, the.
You know, while we all marketmortgages somewhat, it's not
where it needs to be for ourcommunities to really truly know
that we offer mortgages.
So it's about getting theawareness out there and when it
(24:40):
comes to mortgage lending, ithas to go beyond just your
membership.
But there is a lot ofopportunity with just our
membership.
So we can't lose sight of thatopportunity with just our
membership.
So we can't lose sight of that.
And that means making sure thatour branches are sharing the
awareness with our membershipand that we're making sure that
on our website it says we offermortgages.
(25:02):
But also, you know, we're allhiring loan officers nowadays
that are more outside sales typeloan officers and having them
go out and share that we offermortgages.
Partner with realtors and makesure that the realtors know that
(25:23):
we offer mortgages.
We're not just a home equityprovider.
We can truly help their clientwith any mortgage product that
they need, anything from aconventional to FHA, va loan,
down payment assistance, youname it.
We can help them with anyproduct.
(25:44):
As much as I wish I could saythat we've been doing this long
enough that realtors should knowthis.
They don't, they still don'tand they still kind of dismiss
us.
So and that's one of thefocuses I've had with my team is
getting them out therenetworking a lot more, making
sure that they are talking thatTechSell offers mortgage lending
(26:09):
and that we can help them withany option that they're looking
for, that their clients areneeding, and to at least give us
the opportunity.
But it truly, I think, goesback to the awareness that we
make sure our communities knowthat we offer mortgages.
Speaker 3 (26:29):
No, I mean, I love that because it's that is the
response that we often get whenasked that question.
The continued discussion of wedo mortgages and I think you can
agree that the seasonality ofmortgages is gone right.
(26:53):
There's no such thing asmortgages in the summer.
It's now purchase season.
That's gone.
That went away with thepandemic.
It really started in what 2006,2007.
It definitely went away withthe pandemic, 100% went away
(27:14):
with the pandemic.
Now it's mortgages year-round,purchases year-round.
So if you're not talking aboutyour mortgage department
year-round, you're missing theboat.
Now, if you're not invested inmortgage, whether it's
(27:35):
technology or marketingstrategies or some type of
retention strategy when rates dodrop, you're already behind.
Or if you're not alreadyfocused on your portfolio,
someone else already is, andit's not you.
I'll just say that becausethere's enough technology out
(27:57):
there that allows people tomonitor your portfolio behind
your back.
Speaker 2 (28:02):
Yeah, this is a true statement.
Speaker 3 (28:05):
So if you're not invested in ways to stay ahead
of that, your members are outthe door.
So, unfortunately, you know,too many credit unions are
investing in indirect auto loansor consumer loan products.
(28:28):
And, yeah, they're quick,they're easy, they have a high
weighted average coupon, theydon't impact the portfolio all
that much.
But when it boils down to it,oh, and they also view, you know
, mortgage as a necessary evil.
Right, and this is me talking,not you.
(28:48):
So if anyone's gonna get introuble, it's gonna be me.
You're just shaking your head.
Yes, she's not shaking her head, yes, but I'm um, but it's the
truth there.
Mortgage is just that necessaryevil that you have to have to
say you have a complete product,this suite of products.
So I'll get off my soapbox, asyou can tell, I'm very
(29:11):
passionate about this.
But anyways, I agree with youyou can't stop talking about
mortgage, you can't.
It has to be an everydayconversation.
If you were Last question, andthen we'll start pivoting, okay,
(29:33):
well, last question, and it'sreally going to be if you were
to give advice to any creditunion who was struggling,
because you've had success.
You seem to work for creditunions that care about mortgage,
which I think is a huge.
(29:54):
It's a testament to you.
It's also a testament to thecredit unions that you work for.
If you were to give advice to acredit union who is struggling
to get their chiefs or theirboard to buy into this idea of
mortgage, what would be that oneadvice Like this is how you get
(30:18):
them to buy into the idea.
What would that one advice be?
Speaker 2 (30:22):
Oh, wow.
Speaker 3 (30:23):
I know right, I threw that curveball at you.
I'm sorry, I wasn't trying totrip you up, but I had to.
Speaker 2 (30:29):
I guess that one bit of advice would be Well.
So one of the things I'velearned through and this is when
we back years ago, when I was aproduct manager and I was, you
know, going out and talking todifferent credit unions about
helping them with, you know,starting up a mortgage division,
(30:53):
and one of the things Irecognized is a lot of the
senior leadership doesn'trecognize anything needs to be
fixed.
The mindset is nothing's broken, so why change anything?
Right, there's nothing to fix.
They don't know what they don'tknow.
(31:14):
So I think the key is somehowgetting them to just listen, and
that has to probably come froman upper level.
It's not going to be a lowerlevel management.
It probably does need to comefrom a VP of mortgage which, by
the way, if you're smaller, youdon't have that.
(31:35):
But there's so much opportunityto bring income to a credit
union and I think if you maybecan have a conversation with
your senior level leadership andhelp them understand that just
the non-interest income that youcan bring in will help the
(31:56):
organization as a whole.
And so the best advice would bejust keep at it and keep trying
to get into the ears of yoursenior leadership team to listen
to what bringing mortgageswould truly bring to your
organization and your membership, because, at the end of the day
(32:17):
, if you don't offer mortgagelending, you're letting your
members walk away and gosomewhere else, and so it's that
sticky product that keeps yourmember there with you.
Speaker 3 (32:32):
I mean you said it right.
I mean and I agree and I likethat you brought up, you know,
non-interest income.
You know, especially, as youknow NSF fees are.
You know really credit unionsare being targeted for NSF fees,
you know as a big advocacything.
You know, having thatnon-interest income which could
be a big chunk of change for amortgage interest income which
(32:57):
could be a big chunk of changefor a mortgage.
It's a good offset, right Hugeoffset.
Think about it, especially inthe some of the larger dollar
amounts.
So thank you very much.
All right, real, final question, and this is a question I ask
everybody.
So we started off with you know, know, yvonne is you know it's
(33:26):
really on on the flip side ofthat is what keeps you going
right.
You're just like everyone else,one foot out of bed to start
the day.
What keeps you on, what keepsyou motivated, what keeps you
driving to push forward everysingle day, no matter what?
Speaker 2 (33:40):
Well, it's a mix of two things it's my passion for
what I do and my passion for myfamily.
So, professionally, I'm drivenby the impact my work can have,
whether it's on my team, theprojects I'm doing or the larger
community.
I get a lot of fulfillment fromseeing things come to life and
(34:02):
knowing that my contributionsare making a difference.
But, at the same time, myfamily is a bedrock of
everything I do.
They're my biggest supportersand provide me with the strength
and inspiration to keep going,especially when things get
challenging, which we know thatin the mortgage world, that
happens all the time.
So knowing that I'm creatingsomething meaningful, both at
(34:24):
work and at home, gives me thesense of balance and the purpose
to keep moving forward everyday.
Speaker 3 (34:31):
Absolutely love it.
Love the family response.
That's fantastic.
Thank you very much, all right.
Well, it's now time for us totransition to the second segment
of our podcast, and this issometimes where we do, you know,
fun facts.
This is sometimes when we playJeopardy.
Sometimes we do the mostrequested segment of dad jokes.
But here, this time around,we're going to do Jeopardy Now
(34:56):
for you.
You know, admittedly Istruggled with this a bit
Because here we are, you know,early part of April, so I
decided to do April Jeopardy.
Now, I don't really know howthis is going to be.
This is either going to bereally horrible or really good,
(35:20):
so I don't really know.
So bear with me, while I bringin my Jeopardy board, let me
make sure it's on the rightscreen.
I'm going to go ahead and sharemy screen.
Bear with me one second.
Here it comes.
Share, share, share, all rightlet me blow it up okay, let me
(35:43):
move you off to the side, allright, so, like I always do, let
me go ahead and explain what.
What's right in front of me?
Uh, because obviously this isall audio.
Uh, in front of me is yourstandard Jeopardy looking board,
five categories ranging, withscores ranging anywhere from 100
to 500.
The five categories are Let itRain Short and Sweet Name, that
(36:09):
Brand, the Way Back Machine andbirthday, april, baby.
Now, for the sake of this,yvonne, you are team one, justin
, you are team two.
Now a couple of things.
Yvonne, you do not have toanswer who or what is, or, et
(36:32):
cetera, et cetera, et cetera.
You just, if you know theanswer, just spit it out.
Um, also, I again I want toremind you I did not make up
this, this board.
I just Googled April jeopardy,uh, so I have no idea what these
answers are.
Um, I kind of forgot that wewere doing jeopardy.
I kind of came prepared for dadjokes, um, but then I looked at
(36:56):
the grid uh, two minutes beforewe started recording, I was
like, oops, we're doing jeopardytoday.
So I quickly just googledjeopardy, um, and so here we are
.
This is gonna be fun andexciting.
Uh, justin's really bad atjeopardy.
So this is gonna be awesome,really fun to laugh at justin um
a couple other things.
(37:17):
Only it weren't true.
It's really true.
There he is.
Yes, everyone.
Justin is still here.
He just was just hanging in thebackground.
Speaker 5 (37:26):
I was just taking it in.
Speaker 3 (37:28):
You're just drinking it all in, brother, yeah, um,
there you go.
Great session, that's right.
Um, what else if decide tosteal?
I am a vicious scorer, so ifyou get it wrong, I'm takeaway
points.
Also, if I know that you'rewrong, I'm just going to go
ahead and take away pointsimmediately, not anyone.
Let anyone else steal, justin.
Well, I think that's about itAll right.
(37:51):
So, yvonne, since you are thehonored guest, you get to go
first and, by the way, sometimesthe 500s are really really
really hard and sometimes theyare really really really stupid
easy.
So it's totally a gamble, so upto you.
Speaker 5 (38:06):
I like how you said stupid easy.
I don't know if that was aninsult directed at me.
Again, I did have a 500question.
Speaker 3 (38:15):
That was like really easy though you did it was great
, I think, like the answer waslike Monday or something like
that.
Speaker 5 (38:24):
I was like yeah, it was one word, but I remember too
all right go okay, so I willtry name that brand at 500.
Speaker 3 (38:38):
Name that brand for 500.
By the way, it's not likeJustin Steeles or something like
that, like you just answer it.
Okay, all right.
So this side, this side dish,was known as the San Francisco
treat.
This side dish was known as theSan Francisco treat, the side
(39:01):
dish was known as the SanFrancisco treat Rice-a-roni.
Good answer.
The correct answer is what isrice-a-roni?
Oh yeah, definitely going tolose.
Good answer, Yvonne.
Speaker 5 (39:19):
alright, this is the Titanic all over again.
Speaker 3 (39:24):
That's how that started too this is the Titanic
all over again.
Speaker 5 (39:29):
Alright, justin, we're gonna go with short and
sweet for 300 short and sweetfor 300.
Speaker 3 (39:38):
Short and sweet for 300.
Pda, pda.
Pda stood for something yourparents never wanted to see you
do when you were out on a dateas a teenager public display of
(40:00):
affection the correct answer iswhat is public display of
affection?
Good job.
Speaker 5 (40:09):
Justin, thank you, I'm on the board.
Okay, let's go with.
Speaker 2 (40:14):
I'm on the board.
Okay, let's go with short andsweet 500.
Speaker 3 (40:26):
Short and sweet for 500.
If you travel to Canada, youmight see the RCMP which stands
for this.
You know this, you know this.
Speaker 2 (40:46):
I don't know that it's uh, justin knows it.
Speaker 5 (40:52):
I mean, I have a pretty solid yes, I, I can't, I
don't.
Speaker 2 (40:56):
I don't know, solid guess.
I can't, I don't, I don't know.
Speaker 5 (40:58):
So go ahead and guess If you just need stealing point
yeah, I mean, she's going tolose points anyway, so why not
try Royal Canadian MountainPatrol?
Speaker 3 (41:10):
Nope, oh, is it?
Metro Police?
Mounted Police.
Oh see, I knew it was going tobe something.
The correct answer is what isthe Royal Mounted Canadian
Police?
It's the Royal Canadian MountedPolice, even though the answer
messed it up the Royal CanadianMounted Police.
Speaker 2 (41:32):
Oh, that's out of order.
Speaker 3 (41:34):
That is out of order.
Speaker 5 (41:36):
I don't think we should get it wrong then no,
you're getting it wrong, Justin?
Speaker 3 (41:39):
Nope, Nice try, Justin.
So Royal Canadian MountedPolice.
Whoever wrote this?
A bad person wrote this.
Speaker 5 (41:52):
Alright, justin, the Wayback Machine for $400.
I'm really interested in whatthis one is, so am I.
I hope it's like the cartoonmovie or like back to the future
.
Speaker 3 (42:04):
oh, that would be fun .
In ad 79, mount vesuvius blewits top and destroyed this
ancient Roman city.
Come on, man, come on, man,come on.
Speaker 2 (42:19):
Justin I know it, what is?
Speaker 3 (42:21):
it.
Speaker 5 (42:22):
Come on.
The problem is Come on, man.
Is it Pompeii?
That's wrong.
That's Italy, I'm going Pompeii.
That's Italy, though, becausethat was Mount.
I think that, yeah, I'm goingPompeii.
Speaker 3 (42:39):
Good job.
Correct answer is what isPompeii?
Speaker 5 (42:42):
yes, I got one good job, justin, you're winning.
I almost got to go see thatplace too.
I can't believe you struggledon that are you kidding me out
of all the Jeopardy questions?
Do you think I know geography?
That's not just geography, it'shistory.
(43:02):
Who cares?
Speaker 2 (43:09):
okay, so I just need 200 point.
Well, no, because he might.
He still has another chanceafter me.
Okay, we're, we have to go forthe big one, so let it rain for
500.
Speaker 3 (43:22):
Solid pick, solid pick.
Let it rain for 500.
The post office will deliveryour mail come rain, or this?
Are you kidding?
Speaker 5 (43:34):
me.
Speaker 2 (43:35):
Shine.
The correct answer is what isshine?
Speaker 3 (43:43):
Shine.
Good job, yvonne.
Good job, all right.
Justin.
Good job, good job, justin, allright.
Speaker 5 (44:03):
This is the last question the way back machine
yeah, 500.
Yep, that's gonna be bad.
I know this answer theassassination of this man set
(44:26):
off world war one oh my god, Iknow this answer the
assassination of arch bishopFrancis Ferdinand, something
like that, nope.
Speaker 3 (44:39):
Give me the correct answer.
Speaker 5 (44:41):
That's the correct answer, francis Ferdinand.
That's my answer, francisFerdinand.
Speaker 3 (44:50):
It's wrong.
Speaker 5 (44:51):
No, it's not.
Speaker 3 (44:57):
You're saying Archbishop.
Speaker 5 (44:58):
No, I'm not saying Archbishop, I said Francis
Ferdinand.
It doesn't say his rank, itsays the assassination of this
man.
A man is a person, not a rank.
Speaker 3 (45:09):
I want the full answer.
Speaker 5 (45:10):
That's not, See.
This is why I lose it's.
Yeah, I'm going with ArchbishopFrancis Ferdinand.
See, this is why I lose it's.
Um, yeah, I'm going withArchbishop Francis Ferdinand.
Speaker 3 (45:21):
Alright, the correct answer is what is Archduke
Ferdinand Told you Look.
Speaker 5 (45:33):
That lady beat that into me my freshman year of
world history.
Speaker 3 (45:45):
I don't care, I got it right in my brain.
Not, I got it right, not, youknow.
Speaker 5 (45:47):
If you were to go to trivia at a bar, they'd totally
give it to you.
Speaker 3 (45:50):
If you wrote, ferdinand yep, you, but you know
, you would know they would.
It would have been ArchdukeFerdinand.
And if you were, what wroteFrancis Ferdinand?
Speaker 5 (46:00):
they were totally wrong 100% wrong, but that's why
I was going to go with justFerdinand.
You told me, no, I couldn't.
I mean I could at a bar, Iwould be totally right you know
my thousand points because I'marguing.
So what happens when you argue?
You lose twice.
There you go.
Speaker 3 (46:19):
Right At the end of this episode's Jeopardy, we have
a clear winner Yvonne with 500.
Justin with negative 800.
Speaker 5 (46:32):
Congratulations.
Speaker 3 (46:33):
Congratulations, yvonne.
Well done, well done, thanksthanks, justin you're welcome
anytime.
Speaker 5 (46:40):
That's what I'm here for well, yvonne.
Speaker 3 (46:44):
Thank you so much for for spending some time with us
today.
Really enjoyed the conversation, as always.
I always enjoy seeing you, butenjoy always talking to you, as
always.
Speaker 2 (46:56):
I always enjoy seeing you, but enjoy always talking
to you.
Likewise, peter, thank you forincluding me.
Speaker 3 (47:00):
Absolutely, absolutely and, justin, thank
you very much.
Speaker 5 (47:04):
Well, of course, it was my pleasure.
Speaker 3 (47:06):
And to close out, thank you again to Opnil Blue
for sponsoring today's episodeand to all of you.
We know your time is valuable.
Thank you again for tuning intothe latest episode of Acuma's
On Point Podcast.
We hope you enjoyed it.
Until next time.
Be well, my friends.
Speaker 1 (47:22):
Thanks for listening.
We'll see you next time at theAcuma On Point Podcast.
If not already, be sure tosubscribe and give us a
five-star rating For more greatepisodes and information.
Be sure to visit us online atacumaorg and to get the latest
updates.
Head over to our LinkedIn page.
The views and opinions expressed in this
podcast do not necessarilyreflect the views or positions
of Acuma, its board of directors, its management staff or its
members.
The podcast discussionpresented is conversational in
nature and for generalinformation only.
Speaker 3 (00:32):
Hello, welcome back to the Don't Play Podcast, a
series focused on sharing thestories of people who are making
a positive impact in the creditunion mortgage industry.
I'm your host, Peter Benjamin.
Before we get to our episode,just a quick word from our
sponsor.
Speaker 4 (00:42):
Optimal Blue effectively bridges primary and
secondary mortgage markets todeliver the industry's only
end-to-end capital marketsplatform.
The company helps credit unionsof all sizes deliver from your
experiences to members pursuingthe dream of home ownership.
Through innovative technology,a network of interconnectivity,
rich data, insights andexpertise gathered over more
(01:04):
than 20 years, optimal Blue isan experienced partner that, in
any market, allows credit unionsto optimize their advantage,
from pricing accuracy to marginprotection and every step in
between.
To learn more, visitOptimalBluecom.
Speaker 3 (01:19):
Today I am joined by Yvonne Case, director of
Mortgage Sales with Texel CreditUnion.
Yvonne, how are you doing today?
Speaker 2 (01:27):
Hey, peter, I'm doing great, excited to be here.
Speaker 3 (01:31):
That is fantastic.
I am thrilled that you're hereand I am absolutely pumped that
we are the first podcast thatyou've ever been on, are the
first podcast that you've everbeen on.
(01:52):
This.
I feel blessed that that thatwe get to be the one that it
kind of breaks you into thepodcast experience.
We'll be gentle, I promise Now.
Well, I appreciate that, peter.
No, of course, of course.
Now, yvonne, over the yearsI've gotten a chance to know you
and I've been truly impressedwith everything that you've done
(02:12):
with the Texas Curin and yourdemeanor and how people flock to
you.
I want to dive into thatconversation a bit more, but
before we do, as always, I needto pull Justin in and get a
quick update on the latest andgreatest happening over at Acuma
(02:34):
.
So, hawk, how are you doingtoday and please tell us what is
happening over at Acuma.
Speaker 5 (02:40):
I'm good, Peter.
How are you Living the dream?
I know.
Can you believe it?
We are one week away from ourfirst in-person event of the
year, the Viewpoint RegionalSummit on April 8th and 9th in
Pensacola.
Speaker 3 (02:53):
I cannot believe it.
Come on See what I did there.
I know man.
Speaker 5 (02:59):
See what I did there.
Speaker 3 (03:00):
You liked it.
Speaker 5 (03:02):
It was okay.
I know I'm a little raspy.
I got to get my my, my, myWahoo voice going and I feel, I
feel like the spring allergiesare hitting you right now.
They are very badly.
I had watery eyes all weekend.
This year we're going to notonly take in the educational
sessions but we're also going tohave an experience at the Blue
Wahoos minor league baseballgame Bread, networking,
(03:24):
reception and lots of cheering.
And yes, there will be cheeringbecause hopefully it'll be the
only time I ever root for theFlorida team to win, but it will
be a time I root for a Floridateam to win.
Anyways, I have to digress.
Anyways, registration is openfor our folk point workshops,
like in years past, similarcontent and format, just in two
different cities, two differentlocations.
(03:46):
So we'll be in Savannah,georgia, from May 6th and 7th
and Seattle, washington, fromJune 3rd to 4th.
So if you haven't registered,there's still plenty of time.
Head over to the Hackamywebsite and register for those
two events.
Lastly, our biggest event ofthe year, the Make your Mark
Annual Conference, is set forSeptember 21st to the 24th in
(04:06):
Denver, colorado.
Registration is opening verysoon.
So stay tuned.
That's the biggest hand I cangive you.
Speaker 3 (04:15):
I was hoping.
I was hoping you were going tohint at it.
Speaker 5 (04:19):
Yeah, very soon.
Like this month.
Yeah, this month soon.
We're down to the week's numbercountdown.
Like this month.
Yeah, this month soon.
Um, we're we're down to theweek's number countdown at this
point.
So, uh, we've been putting in alot of work.
Peter has an amazing agendabuilt out.
Um, uh, our sponsors are linedup.
I mean, everybody's ready torock and roll for that annual
event this year and it's justgoing to be awesome and there's
(04:41):
going to be a special treat.
There's always special treats,I know, but do we want to tell
people, no, there's going to bea special treat.
So you got to pay really goodclose attention to that agenda.
There are things you are notgoing to want to miss.
I agree.
Speaker 3 (04:55):
But if we focus on the actual content I know I say
it every year, but I actuallymean it this year.
You meant it last year too.
I didn't mean it this year.
You meant it last year too.
I didn't mean it last year too,but, hands down, by far this is
the best agenda, that that weput together hands down.
(05:19):
Um, I don't know what it was, II think it was just I, I ate my
Wheaties or something like that, and I did something right when
I sat down to put together thisagenda.
It's, this is the best agenda,that that that we put together
hands down.
And I guess this is what numberfour for us, this will be
(05:39):
number four.
Speaker 5 (05:40):
number four I guess.
Speaker 3 (05:41):
So in the past we'll make number fours is so far
looking like the best agendathat we, that we put that we put
together so really excited.
Um, I can't believe it's justweeks away till registration is
opening I know I neither can I.
Speaker 5 (05:58):
I I joke with people all the time that we live six
months ahead of everybody else,but but hopefully that's not a
precursor to life longevity.
Anyways, if you're not able tojoin us at any of our in-person
events, don't worry.
We have plenty of educationalstuff going on year round.
So we have our fast track andinside track webinar series.
(06:19):
Those are happening on amonthly basis, just about every
two weeks apart.
So head over to the Acumawebsite to hear all the greatest
upcoming webinars and then, ifyou can't make a webinar, we
always have the On Point podcast, which keep the learning going
all year round.
All right, appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (06:37):
All right, justin.
Thank you very much.
All right, yvonne, back to you,yvonne, yvonne, yvonne.
So the Atomism Point podcast,you know, started off as this
crazy idea that I had to tellthe stories of people who make a
positive impact in the creditunion mortgage industry, and I
(06:59):
said that in my intro and youheard it, my intro, and you
heard it, and you know, thereare very few people one that I
think who have made such along-term impact in our industry
like you.
I mean, you have been in ourindustry and I mean this in a
(07:21):
very positive way for a longtime and you continue to make a
very positive impact in ourindustry through the Texas Curin
, a very large Curin, which hasa state that has a lot of credit
unions and a Curin that has alot of members.
If I remember correctly, youare the chair of that board,
(07:42):
correct?
Speaker 2 (07:44):
Yes, I am the president standing and have been
for the last 12 years.
Speaker 3 (07:49):
There you go, see if you're doing something right.
They don't kick you out, butyou make a significant impact.
And so for those who don't knowyou, for the very few people
who do not know you and thereason why I kind of had that
long-winded intro, you know thisI think it's important for us
(08:12):
to kind of say you know, letpeople know who you are, because
that that's the most importantfundamental thing about this
podcast.
Right?
The big question, the numberone question, is you know who is
Yvonne Case?
I think that's where that's ourstarting point in any podcast
that we have is who are you?
(08:34):
So who's Yvonne Case?
Walk us through that.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
Yeah, of course, peter.
Well, I want to start off bysaying I'm a wife and mother of
three, and the reason I say thatis because family is at the
heart of everything I do andthey give me the strength and
motivation to balance both mypersonal and professional lives.
I've spent my entire mortgagecareer 24 years in the credit
(08:59):
union world.
I never knew mortgage outsideof credit union, so credit
unions is what I know inmortgage lending and I knew
early on that I had a passionfor what I was doing.
I realized early in my careerthat my personal values, like
integrity, my community focusand the deep commitment to
(09:21):
helping others, were perfectlyin line with the mission of
credit unions.
The deep commitment to helpingothers were perfectly in line
with the mission of creditunions.
It's not just about makingloans.
While that's great and itbrings us money, it's about
building lasting relationshipsand supporting individuals and
families in ways that empowerthem for the long term.
Over the years, I've worn manyhats.
I started originating,processing just home equity
(09:44):
loans, and then I went on tooriginate mortgage loans.
I was a product manager trainerfor our team during our growth
spurt, I did sales managementand now I'm director of mortgage
sales here at TechSell.
You know holding multiple roles, the roles throughout the year
or through my career.
(10:06):
There were many of times Iquestioned myself and wondered
if I could be truly successfulin what I was doing.
I was fortunate to work with anincredible leader, someone who
pushed me, she believed in meand always encouraged me to
challenge myself, believed in meand always encouraged me to
(10:27):
challenge myself, and because ofher support, I was always
willing to try.
While being scared, I tried andI did whatever she needed or
asked of me, which is why I didhold so many different roles in
the credit union world.
But that experience shaped whoI am today as a leader.
And now my greatest passion isfor developing people, helping
them grow, believe in themselvesand push beyond their own limit
(10:50):
.
I want those that I lead tofeel the same kind of support
and encouragement that I wasgiven throughout my career.
And, peter, that passionactually extends beyond my
immediate team.
I believe in the power of thecredit union movement people
helping people and I feelstrongly that we should all be
(11:10):
lifting each other up.
That's why I've been involvedwith the Texas Curant at some
capacity for nearly 20 years,bringing credit unions together
to help credit unionprofessionals learn, grow and
succeed together.
That's very important to me,and so that kind of sums up who
Yvonne is.
Speaker 3 (11:29):
Okay, I love it.
I love it All, right.
So you know you, you kind ofstarted down a path of what,
which was my next question,right, you know the that, the
Texas Karen.
Right, and I don't want tospend the whole time on the
Texas curing because, but Ithink it's you mentioned in our
pre-recording, you know exchangeof emails, how important you
(11:53):
know the Texas curing is in yourcareer and your journey and
really your life, right, and youknow, in everything you just
said, you know I, I heard it inyour voice and I heard it in the
way you just expressed thepassion for one art industry,
(12:16):
but the desire to really want tomove others forward, I guess,
is that why you stay so heavilyinvolved in the cure.
It's just to find a better pathforward, to help others succeed.
(12:36):
And knowing that, hey, we don'tdo everything right, I mean the
Kardashians, I mean you know it, I mean, big or small, we don't
always do the right way but ifyou could help in some way,
shape or form, you're going to,is that why you stay so heavily
involved in the Texas Curran?
Speaker 2 (12:51):
Absolutely.
You know, throughout my yearsbeing involved with the Texas
Curran, you know there were manyof years where I was with a
much larger credit union andparticipating in the Texas
current, I could bring a lot ofvalue for the smaller credit
unions that were just trying tobuild different products and,
(13:15):
you know, grow their mortgageprograms.
But I also learned from thesmaller credit unions because
none of us are doing 100% ofwhat we do right and we learn
from our mistakes, our you know,our trials and and just trying
different products and how weutilize our processes and our
(13:39):
resources, our people.
And you know what I learnedvery early on is not every, not
any one person knows everythingand that by coming together with
other credit unions that aresame-minded could help me just
as much as I could help them.
(13:59):
And having that support groupfor me was very important,
especially in my early years.
But as time went on I saw thedifference that Karen was making
in the Texas credit unions.
Altogether We've grownsignificantly because I do
believe that when we do, when wecome together quarterly, we
(14:24):
bring so much value to what thecredit unions need.
And it's not just theeducational pieces, peter, it's
also just the collaboration wealways make time for networking
in between our sessions so thatpeople can truly talk to each
other.
It's not just let me show up andget the education piece and
(14:47):
leave.
It's about the collaborationand then leaving there and
knowing that, hey, I can emailanother credit union to talk to
them about.
Hey, what are y'all doing foryour comp?
Have you made any updates toyour programs?
Or to how you're paying yourloan officers?
Or you know what is the marketdoing in your area and what are
(15:11):
y'all doing to adjust to that.
So having that collaborationwith the credit unions that
participate has been wonderfuland I know that I don't I'm not
the only one that sees that andso it's been very important for
me to make sure that we continuedown that path, to have that as
(15:33):
a resource, because, kind of asI said in my introduction, it's
not just about the developmentof my own team and the people
that I work directly with.
It's about helping the movementand helping others, anyone that
I can help, and I know that'show the rest of the CURIN board
(15:54):
feels as well.
Speaker 3 (15:57):
And I agree with you.
I mean, I think that's theimportance of the CURINs right,
and the more localized andregional approach to supporting
the credit union movement.
Right, and because not everycredit union has the means and
the ability to attend Acuna orACU or MBA or keep going or a
(16:22):
league, even right, it's justnot possible, right, whereas
oftentimes a curing can be freeand or a cure and can be at
their facilities or down thestreet or you name it.
I can just go down this laundrylist of places that the kareans
are just more accessible oreasily accessible.
(16:46):
But it also establishes anetwork of peers that are in
their backyard that want tosupport them.
And I think that's the best partabout the Kierans is that, yes,
mortgage is national.
(17:06):
You and I both know that.
Something that happens in Texas, you know it's very similar to
something that may happen inWashington DC from a general
mortgage standpoint, right, butlending in Texas is different,
and so having that network ofTexas credit unions that
(17:27):
understand how to lend in Texasis pretty important.
Same thing would be just likelending in the DC area.
Having that network of DC areacredit unions is pretty
important.
And so I think that's the bestpart about the curants because
you want to have that localnetwork in your back pocket.
I can tell you the number oftimes when I was in the head of
(17:49):
a mortgage division for a creditunion, the number of times I
would call friends that I met atthe Potomac Curan and say, hey,
I have this issue or I'm tryingto develop this program, help
me problem solve it Right.
And they would, yeah, wouldyeah, you know it's.
(18:10):
I think, yes, I, I.
I didn't utilize acumen quite abit.
I did use, you know, otherresources, but it was, it was
curans that really helped me.
Speaker 2 (18:22):
That's the best part, that localized support yeah, I,
I, I, 100, feel the same way soyou know, as you think about
you know your time as president.
Speaker 3 (18:35):
I, since I mean you've been president of the
texas curan for 12 years now.
You know what's been yourfavorite moment as president.
Speaker 2 (18:47):
I'd have to say my favorite moment was when we
expanded from having themeetings only in the Dallas-Fort
Worth area to Austin.
So when I started attendingcurrent meetings, I actually
found out about the TexasCurrent at the yearly ACUMA
event, at an ACUBA at the yearlyACUBA event At that particular
(19:11):
time it was in San Antonio.
They alternated the meetingsthroughout the United States and
the meeting was in San Antonio,so it was just down the street
from us and I actually found outabout the CURIN, the Texas
CURIN at that event and I'm like, oh my gosh, it's just in
Dallas.
I want to be a part of that.
(19:32):
So I attended.
I was really the only personoutside of the Dallas-Fort Worth
area to be there.
We were in an American Airlinesconference room and it probably
seated 20 people at the mostbut we were squeezing in like 25
people.
And so the first probably twoyears that I was involved with
(19:56):
the Texas Current, we kind ofwent into that room and squeezed
in and I would go to thequarterly meetings.
Well, as I got involved with theboard, got involved with the
board, I asked the question whywould we just stay in Dallas?
(20:17):
Texas is huge.
If we spread a little bit,maybe we could get more
participation from credit unions.
So thankfully they listened andwe had our first meeting in
Austin and then it expanded toSan Antonio and then to Houston.
So then we started alternatingquarterly.
We went from, you know, dallas,austin, houston and San Antonio
(20:41):
and I'd have to say that was myfavorite time was when we
actually went in Texasthroughout every region, because
we were then able to expand.
Because, you know, with mostcredit unions some mortgage
divisions only have threeemployees.
Well, if you lose one headcountfor a full day to go to a
(21:04):
current meeting, you're notgoing to be able to justify it.
So if you bring it regionallyto where the credit unions are,
it's a lot easier to get them tostep away, for, you know, four
to five hours than a full day.
So it definitely helpedincrease our credit union
(21:25):
participation by going to thedifferent regions.
Speaker 3 (21:29):
No, I mean it's smart .
I mean Texas is not small.
So one, I am one city away fromhitting the cycle in Texas, so
thank you.
One, thank you very much foralways inviting me to speak at
the Texas Curren, so thank youvery much for that.
Speaker 2 (21:47):
Well, yes, we draw a big crowd when you come, Peter.
You just have to know that.
Thank you very much for that.
Well, yeah, we, we, we, we drawa big crowd when you come,
peter.
You just have to know that.
Speaker 3 (21:53):
Thank you very much.
I think Dallas is the only oneI'm missing at this point in
time, so I'm going to El Paso.
What in May?
Speaker 2 (22:00):
May yeah.
Speaker 3 (22:02):
So I've done San Antonio, I've done Austin, I'm
going to El Paso.
I think Dallas is the last oneuntil I get the cycle.
But I just learned that youknow, el Paso is a two and a
half hour flight from Dallas.
And the funny thing is I justlearned I lived in Dallas for
almost five years and I neverwent to El Paso, so I just
(22:23):
learned how big the state iswhen it's when you have that
large, that long of a flightFrom Dallas to El Paso and
there's no stops.
I know right, the state is whenit's when you have that large,
that long of a flight fromdallas to el paso and there's no
stops.
I know, right, that's long,that's a long flight.
Um, all right, so pivoting awayfrom the texas curing.
(22:43):
So you, you talk about thecredit union and we talk about
the credit credit union movementa lot on this podcast.
You know we talk about thecredit union movement and we
talk about the credit creditunion movement a lot on this
podcast.
You know we talk about thecredit union movement a lot in
webinars and at our conferences,and you attend our conferences.
I mean, this is the regularpart of our regular conversation
(23:05):
, something that we ongoinglyreference as something that we,
as credit union leaders, need toimprove upon, things that we
have to continue to talk about.
So this next series of questionsis really focused on that.
So, in your opinion, as someonewho's really seen the highs and
(23:28):
lows, the trials, thetribulations you name it the
positives what do we need to do,from your opinion, to move the
credit union movement forward?
Because I think, ultimately,we're all vested in this.
We all want to be successful,we all care about our members,
(23:51):
but I think you have to agreewith me Oftentimes we get stuck
in a rut and we are not movingthis thing forward, we're not
steering this ship.
What's the unabashed Yvonnecase, how do we move this moving
(24:13):
forward?
Speaker 2 (24:15):
I think it all falls to awareness, the.
You know, while we all marketmortgages somewhat, it's not
where it needs to be for ourcommunities to really truly know
that we offer mortgages.
So it's about getting theawareness out there and when it
(24:40):
comes to mortgage lending, ithas to go beyond just your
membership.
But there is a lot ofopportunity with just our
membership.
So we can't lose sight of thatopportunity with just our
membership.
So we can't lose sight of that.
And that means making sure thatour branches are sharing the
awareness with our membershipand that we're making sure that
on our website it says we offermortgages.
(25:02):
But also, you know, we're allhiring loan officers nowadays
that are more outside sales typeloan officers and having them
go out and share that we offermortgages.
Partner with realtors and makesure that the realtors know that
(25:23):
we offer mortgages.
We're not just a home equityprovider.
We can truly help their clientwith any mortgage product that
they need, anything from aconventional to FHA, va loan,
down payment assistance, youname it.
We can help them with anyproduct.
(25:44):
As much as I wish I could saythat we've been doing this long
enough that realtors should knowthis.
They don't, they still don'tand they still kind of dismiss
us.
So and that's one of thefocuses I've had with my team is
getting them out therenetworking a lot more, making
sure that they are talking thatTechSell offers mortgage lending
(26:09):
and that we can help them withany option that they're looking
for, that their clients areneeding, and to at least give us
the opportunity.
But it truly, I think, goesback to the awareness that we
make sure our communities knowthat we offer mortgages.
Speaker 3 (26:29):
No, I mean, I love that because it's that is the
response that we often get whenasked that question.
The continued discussion of wedo mortgages and I think you can
agree that the seasonality ofmortgages is gone right.
(26:53):
There's no such thing asmortgages in the summer.
It's now purchase season.
That's gone.
That went away with thepandemic.
It really started in what 2006,2007.
It definitely went away withthe pandemic, 100% went away
(27:14):
with the pandemic.
Now it's mortgages year-round,purchases year-round.
So if you're not talking aboutyour mortgage department
year-round, you're missing theboat.
Now, if you're not invested inmortgage, whether it's
(27:35):
technology or marketingstrategies or some type of
retention strategy when rates dodrop, you're already behind.
Or if you're not alreadyfocused on your portfolio,
someone else already is, andit's not you.
I'll just say that becausethere's enough technology out
(27:57):
there that allows people tomonitor your portfolio behind
your back.
Speaker 2 (28:02):
Yeah, this is a true statement.
Speaker 3 (28:05):
So if you're not invested in ways to stay ahead
of that, your members are outthe door.
So, unfortunately, you know,too many credit unions are
investing in indirect auto loansor consumer loan products.
(28:28):
And, yeah, they're quick,they're easy, they have a high
weighted average coupon, theydon't impact the portfolio all
that much.
But when it boils down to it,oh, and they also view, you know
, mortgage as a necessary evil.
Right, and this is me talking,not you.
(28:48):
So if anyone's gonna get introuble, it's gonna be me.
You're just shaking your head.
Yes, she's not shaking her head, yes, but I'm um, but it's the
truth there.
Mortgage is just that necessaryevil that you have to have to
say you have a complete product,this suite of products.
So I'll get off my soapbox, asyou can tell, I'm very
(29:11):
passionate about this.
But anyways, I agree with youyou can't stop talking about
mortgage, you can't.
It has to be an everydayconversation.
If you were Last question, andthen we'll start pivoting, okay,
(29:33):
well, last question, and it'sreally going to be if you were
to give advice to any creditunion who was struggling,
because you've had success.
You seem to work for creditunions that care about mortgage,
which I think is a huge.
(29:54):
It's a testament to you.
It's also a testament to thecredit unions that you work for.
If you were to give advice to acredit union who is struggling
to get their chiefs or theirboard to buy into this idea of
mortgage, what would be that oneadvice Like this is how you get
(30:18):
them to buy into the idea.
What would that one advice be?
Speaker 2 (30:22):
Oh, wow.
Speaker 3 (30:23):
I know right, I threw that curveball at you.
I'm sorry, I wasn't trying totrip you up, but I had to.
Speaker 2 (30:29):
I guess that one bit of advice would be Well.
So one of the things I'velearned through and this is when
we back years ago, when I was aproduct manager and I was, you
know, going out and talking todifferent credit unions about
helping them with, you know,starting up a mortgage division,
(30:53):
and one of the things Irecognized is a lot of the
senior leadership doesn'trecognize anything needs to be
fixed.
The mindset is nothing's broken, so why change anything?
Right, there's nothing to fix.
They don't know what they don'tknow.
(31:14):
So I think the key is somehowgetting them to just listen, and
that has to probably come froman upper level.
It's not going to be a lowerlevel management.
It probably does need to comefrom a VP of mortgage which, by
the way, if you're smaller, youdon't have that.
(31:35):
But there's so much opportunityto bring income to a credit
union and I think if you maybecan have a conversation with
your senior level leadership andhelp them understand that just
the non-interest income that youcan bring in will help the
(31:56):
organization as a whole.
And so the best advice would bejust keep at it and keep trying
to get into the ears of yoursenior leadership team to listen
to what bringing mortgageswould truly bring to your
organization and your membership, because, at the end of the day
(32:17):
, if you don't offer mortgagelending, you're letting your
members walk away and gosomewhere else, and so it's that
sticky product that keeps yourmember there with you.
Speaker 3 (32:32):
I mean you said it right.
I mean and I agree and I likethat you brought up, you know,
non-interest income.
You know, especially, as youknow NSF fees are.
You know really credit unionsare being targeted for NSF fees,
you know as a big advocacything.
You know, having thatnon-interest income which could
be a big chunk of change for amortgage interest income which
(32:57):
could be a big chunk of changefor a mortgage.
It's a good offset, right Hugeoffset.
Think about it, especially inthe some of the larger dollar
amounts.
So thank you very much.
All right, real, final question, and this is a question I ask
everybody.
So we started off with you know, know, yvonne is you know it's
(33:26):
really on on the flip side ofthat is what keeps you going
right.
You're just like everyone else,one foot out of bed to start
the day.
What keeps you on, what keepsyou motivated, what keeps you
driving to push forward everysingle day, no matter what?
Speaker 2 (33:40):
Well, it's a mix of two things it's my passion for
what I do and my passion for myfamily.
So, professionally, I'm drivenby the impact my work can have,
whether it's on my team, theprojects I'm doing or the larger
community.
I get a lot of fulfillment fromseeing things come to life and
(34:02):
knowing that my contributionsare making a difference.
But, at the same time, myfamily is a bedrock of
everything I do.
They're my biggest supportersand provide me with the strength
and inspiration to keep going,especially when things get
challenging, which we know thatin the mortgage world, that
happens all the time.
So knowing that I'm creatingsomething meaningful, both at
(34:24):
work and at home, gives me thesense of balance and the purpose
to keep moving forward everyday.
Speaker 3 (34:31):
Absolutely love it.
Love the family response.
That's fantastic.
Thank you very much, all right.
Well, it's now time for us totransition to the second segment
of our podcast, and this issometimes where we do, you know,
fun facts.
This is sometimes when we playJeopardy.
Sometimes we do the mostrequested segment of dad jokes.
But here, this time around,we're going to do Jeopardy Now
(34:56):
for you.
You know, admittedly Istruggled with this a bit
Because here we are, you know,early part of April, so I
decided to do April Jeopardy.
Now, I don't really know howthis is going to be.
This is either going to bereally horrible or really good,
(35:20):
so I don't really know.
So bear with me, while I bringin my Jeopardy board, let me
make sure it's on the rightscreen.
I'm going to go ahead and sharemy screen.
Bear with me one second.
Here it comes.
Share, share, share, all rightlet me blow it up okay, let me
(35:43):
move you off to the side, allright, so, like I always do, let
me go ahead and explain what.
What's right in front of me?
Uh, because obviously this isall audio.
Uh, in front of me is yourstandard Jeopardy looking board,
five categories ranging, withscores ranging anywhere from 100
to 500.
The five categories are Let itRain Short and Sweet Name, that
(36:09):
Brand, the Way Back Machine andbirthday, april, baby.
Now, for the sake of this,yvonne, you are team one, justin
, you are team two.
Now a couple of things.
Yvonne, you do not have toanswer who or what is, or, et
(36:32):
cetera, et cetera, et cetera.
You just, if you know theanswer, just spit it out.
Um, also, I again I want toremind you I did not make up
this, this board.
I just Googled April jeopardy,uh, so I have no idea what these
answers are.
Um, I kind of forgot that wewere doing jeopardy.
I kind of came prepared for dadjokes, um, but then I looked at
(36:56):
the grid uh, two minutes beforewe started recording, I was
like, oops, we're doing jeopardytoday.
So I quickly just googledjeopardy, um, and so here we are
.
This is gonna be fun andexciting.
Uh, justin's really bad atjeopardy.
So this is gonna be awesome,really fun to laugh at justin um
a couple other things.
(37:17):
Only it weren't true.
It's really true.
There he is.
Yes, everyone.
Justin is still here.
He just was just hanging in thebackground.
Speaker 5 (37:26):
I was just taking it in.
Speaker 3 (37:28):
You're just drinking it all in, brother, yeah, um,
there you go.
Great session, that's right.
Um, what else if decide tosteal?
I am a vicious scorer, so ifyou get it wrong, I'm takeaway
points.
Also, if I know that you'rewrong, I'm just going to go
ahead and take away pointsimmediately, not anyone.
Let anyone else steal, justin.
Well, I think that's about itAll right.
(37:51):
So, yvonne, since you are thehonored guest, you get to go
first and, by the way, sometimesthe 500s are really really
really hard and sometimes theyare really really really stupid
easy.
So it's totally a gamble, so upto you.
Speaker 5 (38:06):
I like how you said stupid easy.
I don't know if that was aninsult directed at me.
Again, I did have a 500question.
Speaker 3 (38:15):
That was like really easy though you did it was great
, I think, like the answer waslike Monday or something like
that.
Speaker 5 (38:24):
I was like yeah, it was one word, but I remember too
all right go okay, so I willtry name that brand at 500.
Speaker 3 (38:38):
Name that brand for 500.
By the way, it's not likeJustin Steeles or something like
that, like you just answer it.
Okay, all right.
So this side, this side dish,was known as the San Francisco
treat.
This side dish was known as theSan Francisco treat, the side
(39:01):
dish was known as the SanFrancisco treat Rice-a-roni.
Good answer.
The correct answer is what isrice-a-roni?
Oh yeah, definitely going tolose.
Good answer, Yvonne.
Speaker 5 (39:19):
alright, this is the Titanic all over again.
Speaker 3 (39:24):
That's how that started too this is the Titanic
all over again.
Speaker 5 (39:29):
Alright, justin, we're gonna go with short and
sweet for 300 short and sweetfor 300.
Speaker 3 (39:38):
Short and sweet for 300.
Pda, pda.
Pda stood for something yourparents never wanted to see you
do when you were out on a dateas a teenager public display of
(40:00):
affection the correct answer iswhat is public display of
affection?
Good job.
Speaker 5 (40:09):
Justin, thank you, I'm on the board.
Okay, let's go with.
Speaker 2 (40:14):
I'm on the board.
Okay, let's go with short andsweet 500.
Speaker 3 (40:26):
Short and sweet for 500.
If you travel to Canada, youmight see the RCMP which stands
for this.
You know this, you know this.
Speaker 2 (40:46):
I don't know that it's uh, justin knows it.
Speaker 5 (40:52):
I mean, I have a pretty solid yes, I, I can't, I
don't.
Speaker 2 (40:56):
I don't know, solid guess.
I can't, I don't, I don't know.
Speaker 5 (40:58):
So go ahead and guess If you just need stealing point
yeah, I mean, she's going tolose points anyway, so why not
try Royal Canadian MountainPatrol?
Speaker 3 (41:10):
Nope, oh, is it?
Metro Police?
Mounted Police.
Oh see, I knew it was going tobe something.
The correct answer is what isthe Royal Mounted Canadian
Police?
It's the Royal Canadian MountedPolice, even though the answer
messed it up the Royal CanadianMounted Police.
Speaker 2 (41:32):
Oh, that's out of order.
Speaker 3 (41:34):
That is out of order.
Speaker 5 (41:36):
I don't think we should get it wrong then no,
you're getting it wrong, Justin?
Speaker 3 (41:39):
Nope, Nice try, Justin.
So Royal Canadian MountedPolice.
Whoever wrote this?
A bad person wrote this.
Speaker 5 (41:52):
Alright, justin, the Wayback Machine for $400.
I'm really interested in whatthis one is, so am I.
I hope it's like the cartoonmovie or like back to the future
.
Speaker 3 (42:04):
oh, that would be fun .
In ad 79, mount vesuvius blewits top and destroyed this
ancient Roman city.
Come on, man, come on, man,come on.
Speaker 2 (42:19):
Justin I know it, what is?
Speaker 3 (42:21):
it.
Speaker 5 (42:22):
Come on.
The problem is Come on, man.
Is it Pompeii?
That's wrong.
That's Italy, I'm going Pompeii.
That's Italy, though, becausethat was Mount.
I think that, yeah, I'm goingPompeii.
Speaker 3 (42:39):
Good job.
Correct answer is what isPompeii?
Speaker 5 (42:42):
yes, I got one good job, justin, you're winning.
I almost got to go see thatplace too.
I can't believe you struggledon that are you kidding me out
of all the Jeopardy questions?
Do you think I know geography?
That's not just geography, it'shistory.
(43:02):
Who cares?
Speaker 2 (43:09):
okay, so I just need 200 point.
Well, no, because he might.
He still has another chanceafter me.
Okay, we're, we have to go forthe big one, so let it rain for
500.
Speaker 3 (43:22):
Solid pick, solid pick.
Let it rain for 500.
The post office will deliveryour mail come rain, or this?
Are you kidding?
Speaker 5 (43:34):
me.
Speaker 2 (43:35):
Shine.
The correct answer is what isshine?
Speaker 3 (43:43):
Shine.
Good job, yvonne.
Good job, all right.
Justin.
Good job, good job, justin, allright.
Speaker 5 (44:03):
This is the last question the way back machine
yeah, 500.
Yep, that's gonna be bad.
I know this answer theassassination of this man set
(44:26):
off world war one oh my god, Iknow this answer the
assassination of arch bishopFrancis Ferdinand, something
like that, nope.
Speaker 3 (44:39):
Give me the correct answer.
Speaker 5 (44:41):
That's the correct answer, francis Ferdinand.
That's my answer, francisFerdinand.
Speaker 3 (44:50):
It's wrong.
Speaker 5 (44:51):
No, it's not.
Speaker 3 (44:57):
You're saying Archbishop.
Speaker 5 (44:58):
No, I'm not saying Archbishop, I said Francis
Ferdinand.
It doesn't say his rank, itsays the assassination of this
man.
A man is a person, not a rank.
Speaker 3 (45:09):
I want the full answer.
Speaker 5 (45:10):
That's not, See.
This is why I lose it's.
Yeah, I'm going with ArchbishopFrancis Ferdinand.
See, this is why I lose it's.
Um, yeah, I'm going withArchbishop Francis Ferdinand.
Speaker 3 (45:21):
Alright, the correct answer is what is Archduke
Ferdinand Told you Look.
Speaker 5 (45:33):
That lady beat that into me my freshman year of
world history.
Speaker 3 (45:45):
I don't care, I got it right in my brain.
Not, I got it right, not, youknow.
Speaker 5 (45:47):
If you were to go to trivia at a bar, they'd totally
give it to you.
Speaker 3 (45:50):
If you wrote, ferdinand yep, you, but you know
, you would know they would.
It would have been ArchdukeFerdinand.
And if you were, what wroteFrancis Ferdinand?
Speaker 5 (46:00):
they were totally wrong 100% wrong, but that's why
I was going to go with justFerdinand.
You told me, no, I couldn't.
I mean I could at a bar, Iwould be totally right you know
my thousand points because I'marguing.
So what happens when you argue?
You lose twice.
There you go.
Speaker 3 (46:19):
Right At the end of this episode's Jeopardy, we have
a clear winner Yvonne with 500.
Justin with negative 800.
Speaker 5 (46:32):
Congratulations.
Speaker 3 (46:33):
Congratulations, yvonne.
Well done, well done, thanksthanks, justin you're welcome
anytime.
Speaker 5 (46:40):
That's what I'm here for well, yvonne.
Speaker 3 (46:44):
Thank you so much for for spending some time with us
today.
Really enjoyed the conversation, as always.
I always enjoy seeing you, butenjoy always talking to you, as
always.
Speaker 2 (46:56):
I always enjoy seeing you, but enjoy always talking
to you.
Likewise, peter, thank you forincluding me.
Speaker 3 (47:00):
Absolutely, absolutely and, justin, thank
you very much.
Speaker 5 (47:04):
Well, of course, it was my pleasure.
Speaker 3 (47:06):
And to close out, thank you again to Opnil Blue
for sponsoring today's episodeand to all of you.
We know your time is valuable.
Thank you again for tuning intothe latest episode of Acuma's
On Point Podcast.
We hope you enjoyed it.
Until next time.
Be well, my friends.
Speaker 1 (47:22):
Thanks for listening.
We'll see you next time at theAcuma On Point Podcast.
If not already, be sure tosubscribe and give us a
five-star rating For more greatepisodes and information.
Be sure to visit us online atacumaorg and to get the latest
updates.
Head over to our LinkedIn page.
Popular Podcasts
Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club
Welcome to Bookmarked by Reese’s Book Club — the podcast where great stories, bold women, and irresistible conversations collide! Hosted by award-winning journalist Danielle Robay, each week new episodes balance thoughtful literary insight with the fervor of buzzy book trends, pop culture and more. Bookmarked brings together celebrities, tastemakers, influencers and authors from Reese's Book Club and beyond to share stories that transcend the page. Pull up a chair. You’re not just listening — you’re part of the conversation.
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com