How can credit unions use CUSOs (credit union service organizations) and FinTech partnerships as intentional tools for growth instead of one-off “shiny object” deals? In this episode of C.U. On The Show, host Doug English talks with Capstone Strategic’s John Dearing about approaching CUSOs and FinTechs with a proactive external growth strategy, deciding when to build, buy, or partner, and how collaboration can help credit unions pursue new opportunities.
Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0ssPw7LmS-0
Read the episode summary on the ACT Advisors Blog: How CUSOs and FinTech Partnerships Can Become a Powerful Growth Engine for Credit Unions | ACT Advisors
In this C.U. On The Show conversation, host Doug English talks with Andrea Argueta of Glia about approaches credit unions are using to incorporate AI into member service. They discuss where organizations are finding early operational benefits, how hand-offs to human agents are managed, and ways leaders are evaluating interaction strategies.
Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lMEDO9WlS6g
Read the episode summary on the ACT Advisors Blog
Email maris@act-advisors.com with any inquiries.
In this episode of C.U. on the Show, host Doug English sits down with Lee Silber—author of The Credit Union Way—to explore why stories of compassion, connection, and community remain at the heart of the credit union movement. From tellers who create policies on the fly to help members in need, to branch managers who step in during times of crisis, Silber makes the case that smaller, more personal institutions have a unique advantage.
Watch the video episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/A1AXoHaeP9I
Read the episode summary on the ACT Advisors Blog: How Credit Unions Win with Heart and Humanity | ACT Advisors
Email maris@act-advisors.com with any inquiries.
How should a credit union apply insights from the 2025 CUES Executive Compensation Survey? In this episode of C.U. On The Show, host Doug English, CFP®, speaks with Sharon Messmore of CUES about how credit unions can interpret survey data, identify trends, and use the findings to support fair, transparent, and strategically aligned compensationstructures.
Watch the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ul3FPnVNxog
Visit the ACT Advisors blog for a written summary of this episode.
Email doug@act-advisors.com with any inquiries.
In this C.U. On The Show episode, host Doug English sits down with payments futurist Becky Reed of BankSocial and Cooper Thompson, VP of Innovation for Embedded Finance & Digital Assets at Fiserv. They explain what stablecoins are, how wallet-based payments work, and how blockchain transparency could enhance fraud-prevention efforts in financial services.
Watch the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/kGrh59qkRfc
Visit the ACT Advisors blog for a written summary of this episode.
Email doug@act-advisors.com with any questions or an idea for a new episode or guest.
In this episode of C.U. on the Show, host Doug English sits down with Peter Myers to unpack a practical framework for CEO oversight that ties compensation, evaluation, and strategy into one coherent system. If you’re a CEO, board chair, or emerging executive, you’ll walk away with steps to reduce friction, improve accountability (in the positive, rewarding sense), and keep your credit union’s strategy front and center.
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View a written summary of this episode here: How To Align CEO Compensation with Strategy | ACT AdvisorsEmail doug@act-advisors.com with topic or guest suggestions.
In this episode of C.U. On The Show, host Doug English sits down with leadership and succession expert Deedee Myers to unpack what modern, strategic succession planning looks like in 2025. From board governance and culture to developing internal candidates who can truly compete with the external market—and keeping the executive team aligned as timelines shorten—this conversation gives credit union leaders a clear, actionable path. Looking for the video version?
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Visit the ACT Advisors Blog for a written summary of this episode.
In this episode of C.U. on the Show, host Doug English sits down with Steve O’Donnell, CEO of One Nevada Credit Union, and Saroop Bharwani, co-founder of Senso AI, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping credit unions. From improving call center performance to building member loyalty and even optimizing for AI-driven search engines, this conversation unpacks actionable strategies every credit union can learn from. Visit the ACT Advisors Blog for a written summary of this episode.
Want to learn more about Doug English and ACT Advisors? Visit act-advisors.com!
Do you have an idea for a future guest or topic? Email doug@act-advisors.com
In this episode of C.U. on the Show, Doug English sits down with Sam Das, Managing Director at TruStage Ventures, and Chris Coleman, Co-Founder of Clutch, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the credit union industry. From speeding up lending and deposit processes to personalizing member interactions, they share real-world examples, efficiency gains, and the cultural shifts credit unions need to embrace to compete. Check out the ACT Advisors Blog for a written summary of this episode!
Want to learn more about Doug English and ACT Advisors? Visit Home - ACT Advisors®
Email doug@act-advisors.com if you have an idea for a future guest or topic.
In this C.U. On the Show episode, host Doug English digs into the real-world mechanics of AI adoption with Credit Union 1’s Todd Gunderson and nCino’s Nicole Haverly. You’ll hear why “member experience is the new rate,” how automation frees humans for deeper advice, and the simple question that jump-started a credit-union-wide transformation.
Check out the ACT Advisors Blog for a written summary of this episode!
Want to learn more about Doug English and ACT Advisors? Visit Home - ACT Advisors®
Email doug@act-advisors.com if you have an idea for a future guest or topic.
In this episode of C.U. On The Show, host Doug English welcomes back Heather McKissick of CUES to explore how credit union leaders can effectively lead during volatile, uncertain, chaotic, and ambiguous (VUCA) times. Drawing on her expertise and recent publication, “Leadership in Polarized Times,” Heather outlines four essential tools for staying grounded and creating resilient organizations—even when external conditions are anything but stable.
Check out the ACT Advisors Blog for a written summary of this episode!
Want to learn more about Doug English and ACT Advisors? Visit Home - ACT Advisors®Email doug@act-advisors.com if you have an idea for a future guest or topic.
Learn how Gary Jeter of TruStone Financial and Kirk Drake of Credit Union 2.0 are using AI to revolutionize internal operations, reimagine member service, and build agile, future-ready credit unions. If you’re unsure how to begin with AI or want to make your early efforts impactful, this episode will light the path forward.
Check out the ACT Advisors Blog for a written summary of this episode!
Want to learn more about Doug English and ACT Advisors? Visit Home - ACT Advisors®
Email doug@act-advisors.com if you have an idea for a future guest or topic.
In this episode of C.U. on the Show, Doug English welcomes Michael Bell back for an eye-opening conversation about a hidden trend in the credit union world: acquiring non-bank businesses. Discover how credit unions are strengthening member relationships and diversifying income streams by buying companies like title agencies, insurance firms, and real estate businesses. If you're looking for a growth strategy that goes beyond traditional banking, you’ll want to stream this episode.
Check out the ACT Advisors Blog for a written summary of this episode!
Want to learn more about Doug English and ACT Advisors? Visit Home - ACT Advisors®
Email doug@act-advisors.com if you have an idea for a future guest or topic.
In this episode of CU On the Show, host Doug English speaks with Mitch Rutledge, CEO and co-founder of Vertice AI, and Fred Eisel, CEO of Vizo Financial. Together, they explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the credit union landscape, particularly in the face of declining membership, limited resources, and the push for personalized financial services. Learn how data-driven decisions can be the key to sustainable growth.
Check out the ACT Advisors Blog for a written summary of this episode!
Want to learn more about Doug English and ACT Advisors? Visit Home - ACT Advisors®
Email doug@act-advisors.com if you have an idea for a future guest or topic.
When rapid growth slows, and headwinds grow stronger, how do credit union leaders pivot with purpose? In this episode of CU On The Show, Jefferson Financial Federal Credit Union CEO Mark Rosa and Olden Lane CEO Mike Macchiarola share a candid, behind-the-scenes look at his journey from 20+ years of successful growth through mergers to the bold decision to be acquired. The result? A powerful reflection on leadership, humility, and the evolving role of credit unions in a changing economic landscape.
Check out the ACT Advisors blog for a written summary of this episode!
Want to learn more about Doug English and ACT Advisors? Visit https://act-advisors.com
If you have an idea for a future podcast guest or topic, email Doug - doug@act-advisors.com
What really drives CEO compensation in credit unions? It’s more than just the numbers. In this episode of CU On The Show, JP O’Connor, executive compensation consultant at Park Compensation Consulting, joins Doug English to reveal how board backgrounds, financial experiences, and biases influence executive pay decisions.
Check out the ACT Advisors Blog for a written summary of this episode!
Want to learn more about Doug English and ACT Advisors? Visit Home - ACT Advisors®
Have an idea for a future podcast guest or topic? Email doug@act-advisors.com
In this episode of CU On The Show, Doug English welcomes back Todd Spiczenski to give an exclusive preview of the 2025 Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC)—set to be one of the biggest and most impactful events for credit union leaders in 2025. With record-breaking attendance numbers, a sold-out exhibit hall, and a powerhouse lineup of keynote speakers, GAC 2025 is a must-attend event for credit union leaders. Want to see a written version of this episode? Visit How GAC 2025 Is Breaking Records - And Why You Need to Be There - ACT Advisors®
Acquiring a bank is no small feat, and when two credit union CEOs with over three decades of experience in the industry sit down to discuss their journeys, the insights are invaluable. In this episode of C.U. On The Show, Doug English interviews Bob Steensma, CEO of Five Star Credit Union, and David Southall, CEO of Innovations Credit Union. Both leaders share their strategies, challenges, and lessons learned from navigating bank acquisitions.
In this episode of “C.U. On The Show” Doug English sits down with Steven Kozlowski, associate professor of finance at Fairfield University, and Sam Brownell, founder of CU Collaborate, to explore the complex dynamics of credit union mergers. Steven shares groundbreaking research on how merger motivations, whether distress-driven or voluntary—impact members and institutions, while Sam provides actionable insights on using data to maximize member benefits. Together, they discuss the opportunities, challenges, and moral considerations of mergers, offering valuable takeaways for credit union leaders navigating consolidation in today’s landscape.
In this episode of CU On the Show, Doug English explores how credit unions are branching into niche markets to meet the evolving needs of their communities. Joining Doug are John Janclaes, Rob Hoyle, and David Barone, who share insights into how Vantage West Credit Union, in partnership with Nymbus, developed Hustl—a specialized brand designed to support skilled freelancers. This episode reveals how Hustl emerged as an innovative solution, offering flexible, tailored financial services for the growing gig economy. Here’s how credit unions can unlock growth potential by exploring digital branding.