The Allied Angle

Younger members expect speed, transparency, and personalization — and credit unions can deliver without chasing every shiny tool. In this episode, Allied's SVP Strategic Initiatives Charlie Peterson joins us to unpack innovation, “The Pizza Effect," and more.

In this episode:

1:01 – Get to know Charlie.

4:02 – Who’s actually walking through the digital and branch doors of credit unions today?

5:33 – The importance of attracting...

On this episode of The Allied Angle, Zach Douglass, Director of Bond & Risk Management at Allied Solutions, joins the show to talk about the five loss trends hitting credit unions now. We cover what’s shifted in the last 6–12 months, early warning indicators, fast-acting controls, and the 30–60 day moves that actually reduce exposure.

In this episode of The Allied Angle, Jeff Marsh, President at Millennium Capital and Recovery Corporation, joins the show to talk about the evolving world of asset recovery. Jeff discusses how lenders can navigate today’s challenges in skip tracing and repossession, the role of technology and compliance, and how Millennium’s award-winning approach helps clients recover assets with transparency and efficiency.

Learn more abou...

How effective is your security awareness training? In this episode of The Allied Angle, Josh Gideon, author and Director, Cyber Risk Management at Allied, joins us to unpack what most financial institutions get wrong about awareness programs and what to do instead. Drawing on decades of experience and research, Josh shares why traditional training falls short, how psychological safety and human behavior play a critica...

In this special Intern Edition of The Allied Angle, we hand the mic to three members of Gen Z — and Allied’s summer internship program — for an honest, unfiltered, and deeply human conversation about how their generation is navigating life, money, and digital fatigue.

Tune in as Kira Right, Alli Johnson, and Eli VanHaaren share their perspectives on what Gen Z needs from financial institutions, how credit unions are missing the m...

Allied Solutions’ Nikki Warner sits down with Jeff Kennedy, David Tuyo, and Steve O’Connell to explore strategies for attracting and engaging Gen Z members.

From digital-first experiences to employee-driven community impact, and from authentic storytelling to trusted partnerships, these leaders share how they’re evolving to meet changing member expectations — without losing sight of the credit union promise.

In this episode:

00...

In this episode, Gabe Krajicek from Kasasa joins us to share how community-based financial institutions can grow, stay relevant, and keep a local-first mindset—no matter their size. We cover game-changing products like the Take-Back Loan, ways to boost engagement with innovative checking accounts, and how thoughtful product design can provide stability in uncertain times. Plus, Gabe offers practical advice for proving ROI and rethi...

In this episode of Client Voices, we explore the rising risks and evolving realities of auto lending in today’s credit union landscape.

Joined by Dona Svehla (GTE Financial), Jose Iregui (CUautoFi), and Allied Solutions’ Jack Imes and Anne Holtzman, the conversation dives deep into:

🚗 The impact of extended loan terms and declining vehicle values 📉 Managing rising delinquencies and record-high deficiency balances 📲 Why digital t...

In this episode, The Allied Angle sits down with Rick Hughes, Senior Vice President, Program Division, from Equity Protection Powered by NFP to explore the latest trends and growth opportunities in home equity lending. Rick discusses how flexible underwriting, embedded loss protection, and member-friendly pricing empower lenders to expand responsibly, attract new borrowers, and demonstrate sound risk controls to regulators. 

Learn ...

In this episode of Client Voices: Weathering Financial Storms, Allied Solutions' Mark Rodriguez sits down with three seasoned credit union executives, Allan Prindle (Power Financial Credit Union), Brian Best (GTE Financial), and Mike Miller (iThink Financial), to discuss how they’re navigating today’s most pressing financial challenges.

From rising delinquencies and risk management strategies to talent retention, technology integra...

In this episode of Client Voices, three credit union leaders — Jason Osterhage (Everwise CU), Mike Wilson (Members 1st FCU), and Steve Collins (Fort Financial FCU) — join Allied’s Bill Sarsfield to discuss how they’re navigating digital transformation while staying rooted in their mission. From AI adoption to strategic partnerships and mobile-first implementation, hear how these leaders are turning technology into real member impac...

Join Allied’s Vice President, Strategic Partnerships Randy Salser and Chief Client Lending Consultant Jack Imes as they unpack the latest lending and deposit trends shaping today’s credit unions and banks. From the current state of the industry and asset‐quality challenges to proven growth tactics, product diversification, targeted marketing, and technology enablement — you’ll hear practical strategies to fuel loan growth, deepen d...

On this episode of The Allied Angle, Allied’s Anne Holtzman, SVP of Client Experiences and Risk Management Services, and Cindy Bryant, SVP of Client Sales and Support demystify CPI. Together they unpack today’s regulatory spotlight, shifting lender and borrower expectations, and the tension between profit and purpose.

   :47   Get to know Anne and Cindy.

 7:55  The current state of CPI and how it's evolved over the past five year...

In this episode, we explore how artificial intelligence (AI) and user experience (UX) design are reshaping the future of financial institutions. Guests Brett Mitchell and Barrett Crites from Allied Solutions share how AI is moving beyond automation to build trust, enhance personalization, and deliver human-centered experiences. From virtual assistants to ethical design, we dive into the strategies FIs can use to innovate responsibl...

Credit unions are facing rising fraud, liability, and insurance costs, prompting carriers to tighten underwriting, raise rates, and limit coverage – all while balancing member convenience with stronger risk controls. This episode explores the key threats driving these changes, how insurers are responding, and what credit unions can do to protect themselves and their members.

 0:39  – Get to know Patrick and Brandon.

Fraud is a team sport and a growing concern in auto lending. Join James Maguire, Senior Director of Marketing at Experian Automotive; Suzi Straffon, Director Finance Company Markets at Allied Solutions; and John Denison, Senior Vice President Sales Enablement Operations at Allied Solutions, as they dig into why collaboration is key when it comes to fighting fraud. 

00:49 Get to know John, Suzi, and Jim.

06:43 The challenges lende...

Season three of The Allied Angle kicks off with Allied Solutions' CEO Pete Hilger. Pete shares 2024’s challenges, Allied's key accomplishments, and insights into navigating 2025’s evolving financial landscape - including AI, compliance, and innovation.

00:51  Reintroducing Pete Hilger. 

04:02 Navigating the highs and lows Allied and other financial institutions faced in 2024.

06:19 The biggest accomplishments for Allied and its p...

In this unique year-end episode of The Allied Angle, some of the industry’s most innovative and influential credit union leaders join Allied Solutions’ Nikki Warner, Mark Rodriguez, Bill Sarsfield, Anne Holtzman, and Jack Imes for a special “highlight of insights.” From attracting and engaging Gen Z members to navigating the complexities of auto lending, leveraging cutting-edge technology, and delivering member-focused solutions, t...