Leaders in Lending

Leaders in Lending

Leaders In Lending is a show for lending professionals who want to grow their consumer lending programs and improve their consumer experiences. Consumers continue to expect faster, easier online experiences from every company—and our knowledgeable guests will share how they are bringing their organizations and lending products forward into the future. Every week, Leaders In Lending will bring you actionable advice and key learnings from experienced leaders to help you navigate the future of consumer lending. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Upstart. Any content provided by the hosts or guests is for informational purposes only and is based on their own experiences and perspectives.

Episodes

Winning the Lending Game: What Smart Credit Unions Are Doing Differently

October 29, 2025 • 26 mins
Credit unions are operating in a new lending environment defined by risk, regulation and rapid innovation. In this episode of Leaders in Lending, hosts Barry Roach, Drew Megrey and Lynn Sautter Beal share how forward-thinking credit unions are adapting to win.

They explore how to build confidence in AI-driven models, balance compliance with growth, and strengthen governance through smarter data. The hosts also discuss why being too ...
Mark as Played
Transcript

Membership Growth Slowdown? Here’s How Credit Unions Can Fight Back

October 15, 2025 • 30 mins
Credit union membership growth is shrinking as per TruStage research, and the competition isn’t slowing down. In this episode of Leaders in Lending, co-hosts Lynn Sautter Beal, Drew Megrey, and Barry Roach dig into the hard truths about why CUs are losing members—and what can be done to turn the tide. They explore how fintech partnerships, smarter onboarding, and personalized member experiences can help credit unions thrive in a di...
Mark as Played
Transcript

The Credit Crunch and Beyond: Bold Predictions for 2026

October 1, 2025 • 22 mins
2025 has been all about the crunch. Credit is tight, uncertainty is everywhere and lenders are asking: is this the new normal or just another cycle? In this episode, we unpack what’s driving the squeeze, from regulation and rates to global risk, and how smart institutions are staying ahead.

We also look forward. 2026 will not be business as usual. AI, new lending models and shifting borrower behavior could reshape the landscape. Hea...
Mark as Played
Transcript

Riding the Refi Wave: How Credit Unions Can Capture the Moment

September 17, 2025 • 25 mins
Auto loan rates are high, millions of borrowers are rate-locked, and a refinancing wave is on the horizon. In this episode, co-hosts Lynn Sautter Beal, Drew Megrey, and Barry Roach break down why credit unions are uniquely positioned to win the auto refi surge. They dig into smarter underwriting, targeted outreach, and the fintech tools helping CUs capture opportunity at scale. This isn’t a “wait and see” conversation; it’s a roadm...
Mark as Played
Transcript

Behind the Scenes of ACU Strategic Growth Conference

September 3, 2025 • 24 mins
What if the next conference you attended didn’t just inspire ideas, but actually drove change? In this episode of Leaders in Lending, hosts Lynn Sautter Beal, Drew Megrey, and Barry Roach share practical strategies for turning insights from ACU Strategic Growth Conference into meaningful action. They explore how credit unions can prioritize takeaways, implement initiatives, and keep momentum going long after the event ends. From se...
Mark as Played
Transcript

The Credit Builder Strategy That’s Actually Working

August 20, 2025 • 36 mins
Access to credit can be life-changing, but for many members, the process still feels out of reach. Great Lakes Credit Union is working to change that with practical solutions that meet people where they are.In this episode, host Drew Megrey sits down with Steve Bugg, President and CEO of GLCU, to talk about how his team is rethinking lending through small-dollar loans, credit builder programs, and face-to-face financial coaching. S...
Mark as Played
Transcript

Inside the Credit Union Managing 50+ Lending Tech Partnerships

August 6, 2025 • 19 mins
Technology is reshaping every corner of financial services. For credit unions, the challenge isn’t just keeping up, it’s choosing the right tools, partners, and processes to stay ahead without losing sight of the member experience.In this episode, host Drew Megrey sits down with Bill Clancy, Vice President of Consumer Lending at Advia Credit Union, to explore how his team navigates digital transformation while maintaining the high-...
Mark as Played
Transcript

This One Strategy Took Lending From Good to Great

July 23, 2025 • 31 mins
Rising vehicle prices, longer loan terms, and shrinking margins. As credit unions adapt, standing out requires more than competitive rates. It takes consistency, clarity, and a lending team built for speed and service.In this episode, host Barry Roach sits down with Adam Brice, Chief Lending Officer at EFCU Financial, to unpack how his team reimagined consumer lending from the ground up. From creating a centralized loan contact cen...
Mark as Played
Transcript

From Onboarding to Upsell: A Digital Playbook for Credit Unions

July 9, 2025 • 22 mins
As credit unions grapple with an increasingly digital-first market, the path to growth lies in strategic partnerships, streamlined onboarding, and data-driven cross-sell strategies.

In this episode, host Matt Snow sits down with Kirk Drake—author, entrepreneur, and founder of CU 2.0—to explore how credit unions can stay relevant in a fast-changing financial landscape. Drawing on decades of experience in FinTech and community banking...
Mark as Played
Transcript

Surviving the CFPB’s Transitional Era

June 25, 2025 • 20 mins
As the regulatory environment continues to shift and technology reshapes the compliance landscape, today’s lending leaders are under increasing pressure to stay agile and forward-thinking. 

In this episode, recorded live at CBA Live 2025 in Orlando, host Lynn Sautter Beal sits down with Aaron Rykowski, Chief Compliance Officer at WesBanco, and Mikey Reynolds, Director of Compliance at Zions Bank Corporation. Both serve on the CBA’s ...
Mark as Played
Transcript

Navigating Fair Lending Challenges Through Collaboration and AI

June 11, 2025 • 22 mins
As regulatory scrutiny intensifies and innovation accelerates, fair-and-responsible banking leaders are coming together to keep compliance programs adaptive, effective and aligned with evolving expectations.

In this episode, recorded at CBA Live 2025 in Orlando, host Lynn Sautter Beal sits down with Lindsay Yousif, Executive Compliance Director at Ally, and Nick Roesler of M&T Bank. Both serve on the CBA’s Fair and Responsible B...
Mark as Played
Transcript

Fraud, Policy Shifts, and EV Financing: What’s Next for Auto Lenders?

May 28, 2025 • 25 mins
As the auto finance industry faces mounting regulatory scrutiny and increasingly sophisticated fraud tactics, lenders are working together to navigate risk, improve compliance, and better serve today’s borrowers.

In this episode, recorded at CBA Live 2025 in Orlando, host Matt Snow sits down with Fabien Thierry, Head of Indirect Lending at Bank of America, and Mike Gilbert, Director of Consumer Lending at Associated Bank. Serving as...
Mark as Played
Transcript

Tariffs, Terms and the Evolving Auto Finance Landscape

May 14, 2025 • 33 mins
As tariffs and inflation drive up vehicle prices, both lenders and consumers are feeling the pressure to adapt. In this episode, host Lynn Sautter Beal speaks with Melinda Zabritski, Head of Automotive Financial Insights at Experian, and Mark Pregmon, VP of Consumer Lending at USAA, to explore how market shifts, financial pressures and evolving consumer demands are reshaping the auto financing landscape. 

They discuss the impact of ...
Mark as Played
Transcript

Winning the Battle for Primacy in Banking

April 30, 2025 • 24 mins
With 97 percent of Americans already banked, acquiring new customers means convincing them to break existing relationships. So how can financial institutions stand out when banking feels increasingly commoditized?

Live from CBA 2025, host Matt Snow from Upstart is joined by Kurt Lin, Co-Founder and CEO from Pinwheel as well as Dennis Chira and Wei Ke from Oliver Wyman to tackle the question: “How do we create a 2x, 5x or even 10x be...
Mark as Played
Transcript

Banking’s Next Act: Regulatory Shifts Ahead

April 16, 2025 • 24 mins
As regulatory and political landscapes shift, financial institutions must stay agile and innovative to navigate new challenges and opportunities. In this episode, host Lynn Sautter Beal is joined by David Pommerehn, General Counsel and Head of Regulatory Affairs at CBA, and Billy Rielly, Head of Public Affairs at CBA, to unpack how political shifts, state-level regulations and consumer protection mandates are reshaping the lending ...
Mark as Played
Transcript

AI & The Fed: Is Hiring Changing?

April 2, 2025 • 21 mins
As economic conditions shift, financial institutions must adapt their lending strategies to balance growth, risk, and liquidity. A "Slow and Grow " approach is emerging as a sustainable way to navigate today’s market while expanding financial services.

This week, host Lynn Sautter Beal welcomes Joseph Mayans, Chief Economist at Experian North America, to discuss the key economic drivers impacting lending in 2025 live at the CBA con...
Mark as Played
Transcript

From Europe to the US: Cultural and Market Nuances in FinTech

March 5, 2025 • 31 mins
In episode re-air, joining our host Ed Walters is Simon Darchis, Head of Partnership at Finwise Bank, to discuss his trajectory in the financial services sector from Europe to the US. With this multi-cultural background in finance, Simon explains the intricacies of FinTech, unraveling the cultural and regulatory intricacies that shape these distinct markets.

Ed and Simon discuss:
  • The pivotal role of adaptability in navigating the...
Mark as Played
Transcript

Capturing Prime Members in 2025 and Beyond

February 19, 2025 • 38 mins
As economic conditions shift, financial institutions must adapt their lending strategies to balance growth, risk, and liquidity. A “Slow and Grow” approach is emerging as a sustainable way to navigate today’s market while expanding financial services.

This week, host Barry Roach welcomes Michelle Goeppner, Vice President of Consumer Lending & Product Strategy at Vantage West Credit Union, to explore how lending programs are evol...
Mark as Played
Transcript

Niche Markets, High Impact: Leading the Charge in Early-Stage Credit Facilities

February 5, 2025 • 42 mins
In episode re-air, host Lynn Sautter Beal talks with Jillian Murrish, CEO of Pier Asset Management, about the waves she and her firm are making in the market — targeting less liquid and underserved areas while focusing on secondary markets and early-stage credit facilities. Jillian shares her journey from working in online real estate to co-founding Pier Asset Management, while offering valuable lessons on flexibility, operational ...
Mark as Played
Transcript

Credit Unions in Transition: Evolving Mortgage Origination, Auto Lending, and AI Futures

January 22, 2025 • 31 mins
In today’s episode, we dive into the dynamic world of financial services, specifically auto and mortgage lending. Join host Drew Megrey as he speaks with Rick Moore, the Chief Lending Officer at Maine Savings Credit Union. With nearly 39 years of experience under his belt, Rick provides invaluable insights into the evolving mortgage landscape, tackling challenges like rising interest rates and soaring home prices. He’ll also share ...
Mark as Played
Transcript

Popular Podcasts

    Stuff You Should Know

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    Crime Junkie

    Crime Junkie

    Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies!

    The Breakfast Club

    The Breakfast Club

    The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!

    On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    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!

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

Explore

iHeart

Live Radio

Podcasts

Artist Radio

Exclusives

News

Features

Events

Contests

Photos

Information

About

Advertise

Blog

Brand Guidelines

Contest Guidelines

Subscription Offers

Jobs

Get the App

Automotive

Home

Mobile

Wearables

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.