Disruption may be the new norm, but have credit unions caught on? In the latest episode of 22 Minutes in Lending, Brian Kaas, president & managing director of TruStage Ventures, discusses the fintech saturation problem, the evolving role of embedded finance, and how credit unions need to break out of the echo chamber to avoid being left behind and realize the benefits of partnerships.

Key takeaways:

02.13: An overview of TruStage Ventures, its funding structure, and its average investments.

03.15: Three key criteria critical to TruStage Ventures making investment decisions: strategic fit and support for credit unions, financial viability, and culture fit.

06.26: How the investment strategy has evolved since 2016 to ensure the organization and its portfolio of fintech companies are supporting and sustaining the credit union system.

07.50: Fintech has reached a saturation point in the credit union system, and M&A may be the new growth area.

10.07: Profitability is a primary concern for credit union executives, and AI-driven back-office automation can often be the solution.

12.28: The growth opportunity posed by embedded finance, particularly for credit unions in the auto-lending space.

14.59: How TruStage Ventures is making intentional investments to help credit unions capitalize on the embedded finance movement and provide entry-points into relationships with major players like Amazon and Walmart.

17.07: When credit unions only talk to other credit unions, it can create an echo chamber. That can mean there’s a misunderstanding or misapprehension of the opportunities posed by fintech.

19.02: The importance of Board awareness and support for innovation.

20.36: Trust is vital for an emerging fintech to establish credibility with credit unions and gain traction.

22.22: What credit unions should be considering before partnering with a fintech of any size or maturity.

Resources Mentioned:

1. www.trustage.com/ventures TruStage Ventures
2. trybeem.com Beem
3. www.americascreditunions.org/events-training/conference/governmental-affairs-conference-2025 GAC
4. www.lendkey.com/podcast/inward-and-upward-driving-member-growth-and-financial-health-with-auto-refi Caribou episode of 22 Minutes in Lending
5. www.lendkey.com/podcast/adapting-to-shifting-consumer-behavior-in-auto-lending Origence episode of 22 Minutes in Lending
6. www.carsaver.com CarSaver
7. www.money2020.com Money 20/20

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#CreditUnions #Lending #Fintech

After years of turbulence, the auto lending market is finally leveling out–and credit unions are primed to capitalize. In the latest 22 Minutes in Lending we talk to Eric Stradley, president of auto refinancing fintech Caribou, about the growth opportunity for credit unions, and the potential positives for millions of consumers.

Key takeaways:

00.56: The organization’s initial vision to enhance credit unions’ reach and impact through an innovative marketplace.

02.49: An overview of the auto refinance market and the potential financial benefits for millions of consumers.

03.55: The nuances of auto refinancing vs. traditional mortgage refinancing–namely how credit typically improves during the duration of an auto loan.

05.30: The vast majority of auto loans being refinanced were not originated by a credit union, but instead are an opportunity to win market share from bigger banks.

06.57: How the turbulence of loan-to-value ratios has skewed underwriting and lending over the last few years, and what the future holds for credit unions.

09.09: A major portion of credit unions took a step back from auto lending in the early 2020s but are using refinancing as a lower risk re-entry strategy.

11.09: An overview of the Caribou process–how it works for consumers and credit unions, and why that’s a benefit for both parties.

14.02: The shifting picture of typical FICO scores for auto refinancing, and how credit unions can reach and engage members that they wouldn’t typically take a risk on.

16.53: Auto refinancing provides non-prime members for prime risk, and helps credit unions support members on their upward credit trajectory.

17.48: Caribou is essentially national, and is looking for credit union partners to meet consumer demand.

19.50: This isn’t about replacing existing credit union services; it’s about augmenting them at a larger scale, reaching potentially millions of more consumers.

Resources Mentioned:

1. www.caribou.com Caribou
2. www.qedinvestors.com QED Investors
3. us.dealertrack.com Dealertrack Insurance product

Thanks for listening to the 22 Minutes in Lending podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review to help get the word out about the show and be sure to subscribe so you never miss another insightful conversation.

#CreditUnions #AutoLending #GrowthMarketing

From embedded finance and fintech partnerships, to upsell/cross-sell marketing and education lending, in this episode of 22 Minutes in Lending, Casey Mauldin, Chief Revenue and Lending Officer at Jovia Financial Credit Union, discusses the deposit strategies that could help credit unions grow in 2025.

Key takeaways:

00.40: An overview of Long Island-based credit union, Jovia Financial Credit Union, its field of membership, and the competitive landscape.

02.23: The implications of having a dual role that oversees both revenue and lending.

04.06: How the cost of funds has influenced the credit union’s deposit growth strategy, and how they navigate significant competition.

05.43: Detail on how Jovia has successfully partnered with fintech to drive deposit and membership growth.

08.42: The opportunities for smaller credit unions to maximize their marketing efficacy to reach new members and grow deposits.

10.40: How education lending can help credit unions reach and engage younger members, grow deposits, and increase loans.

15.40: Why business lending has been so critical to Jovia Financial’s growth–so much so that the organization recently launched a business lending CUSO to support other credit unions.

19.16: Ongoing uncertainties around office space lending, particularly in highly dense urban areas.

Resources Mentioned:

1. www.jovia.org Jovia Financial Credit Union
2. www.lendkey.com/podcast/community-lenders-the-best-kept-secret-in-town 22 Minutes in Lending episode with Barry Kirby
3. www.unioncredit.app Union Credit
4. www.lendkey.com/lend LendKey’s education lending platform

Thanks for listening to the 22 Minutes in Lending podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review to help get the word out about the show and be sure to subscribe so you never miss another insightful conversation.

#CreditUnions #Lending #Deposits #GrowthMarketing