The Allied Angle

Cybersecurity Culture in FIs: Training, Trust, and Technology

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 critical role, and what smaller credit unions and banks can do right now to strengthen their defenses.
View Josh's latest book, Don't Forget the Humans, here.
 
In this episode:
 
00:34   Get to know Josh
03:13    Defining security awareness and what prompted your strategy shift
06:20   How research shaped your cybersecurity approach (and practical takeaways for credit unions)
10:22   “Awareness should be more like a drill than a document.”
13:55   Supporting financial services employees at higher risk
16:42   Building a culture of psychological safety where employees aren’t afraid to make mistakes.
18:35   Security champions: their role in fostering awareness and accountability
21:48   Practical advice for smaller credit unions building a people-first strategy
23:47   One misconception about security awareness in financial institutions you’d like to change

Gen Z Unfiltered: What Credit Unions Need to Hear–Now

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 mark, and what it’ll take to earn their trust — and their business. 
 
 
00:54   Get to know Kira, Eli, and Alli.
05:47   Who is Gen Z? 
06:50   Why Gen Z is so misunderstood, and what do people often get wrong.  
09:51   The pressures Gen Z faces and how they differ from those of older generations. 
14:55   The financial institution you use and why you chose it. 
19:53   Steps credit unions should take to stay relevant to Gen Z. 
24:15   What credit unions can do to help ease Gen Z’s financial stress.
28:06   How credit unions can show up in a more human, intentional way.
30:47   Final advice: How credit unions can better connect with Gen Z.
 

Client Voices: Focus on the Member

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:
 
00:00 – Introduction00:46 – The Gen Z Challenge01:21 – Designing the Digital Experience02:05 – Digital-First vs. High-Touch03:09 – Telling Your Story in Real Time03:29 – Community Involvement That Resonates04:31 – Using Interns as Gen Z Focus Groups05:24 – The Credit Union Promise06:40 – Closing the Generational Gap07:16 – Partnering for Digital Innovation08:37 – Meeting Gen Z’s Speed Expectations09:27 – What Makes a Trusted Partner

Rewarding Relationships: Member-Centric Innovation with Kasasa

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 rethinking deposit and lending strategies in a shifting market.
 
Learn more about Kasasa at https://www.kasasa.com/.
 
This podcast is sponsored by Kasasa.
 
00:45   Get to know Gabe.
03:07   How Kasasa's partnerships with community-based FIs support growth and relevance.
06:56   Maintaining a local-first mindset while managing a large network. 
09:58   Kasasa's Take-Back loan: A game changer for both borrowers and lenders.
15:41    How thoughtful product design can provide stability during financial stress. 
16:53   Using checking products to boost engagement and stand out from competitors.
22:27   Helping institutions stay relevant as consumer behaviors continue to evolve.
24:33   The pressure to prove ROI with new product strategies and digital experiences.
26:20   Final advice to FIs who might be rethinking their deposit and lending strategy. 

Client Voices: Auto Finance Risks

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 transformation is critical for collections and member outreach⚖️ Balancing compliance with compassion—and knowing when to draw the line🤝 How strategic partnerships can strengthen resilience and recovery efforts
If your institution is navigating auto loan stress, tightening margins, or regulatory ambiguity, this episode delivers practical insight straight from the front lines.

Lend Smarter, Grow Faster: Equity Protection Powered by NFP

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 more about Equity Protection at equityprotectioninsurance.com
 
This podcast is sponsored by Equity Protection Powered by NFP
 
0:36 – Meet Rick Hughes from NFP.
3:40 – Trends in equity lending: What’s resonating with today’s borrowers?
6:19 – Why underwriting flexibility is key to scaling lending programs responsibly.
9:02 – How NFP’s Equity Protection Program builds deeper member loyalty.
10:32 – Equity protection as a tool for stronger risk management.
11:45 – Innovations shaping the future of home equity lending (next 12–24 months).
13:36 – Key advice for lenders exploring equity protection programs.
 

Client Voices: Weathering Financial Storms

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 integration, and fostering a resilient culture, these leaders share candid insights on how to weather economic headwinds while staying true to the credit union mission.
 
00:00 – Intro & Panelist Introductions00:27 – Evolving Delinquency Management01:21 – Using Technology to Build Member Intimacy02:16 – “Digital when you want it. Human when you need it.”03:12 – Resource Shifting & Cross-Training for Better Lending03:31 – Forecasting and Managing in a Slowing Economy03:56 – Fast, Frictionless Refi Strategies04:32 – Driving Portfolio Strength Through Member Education05:03 – Building Scalable Loan Mods with the Right Tech & Partners06:15 – Bundled Benefits & Member Incentives06:58 – Managing Staff Turnover & Building Culture7:52 – Career Pathing and Internal Growth09:32 – What Defines a Trusted Partner
 

Client Voices: Same Mission, New Tools

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 impact.
 
Key Takeaways:
Digital-first is the new default. If a service can happen in a branch, it should happen in the app first.
AI adoption must be cautious and intentional. Security and member trust remain the top priorities.
Data is a differentiator. Combining internal and external insights enables smarter, more personalized decisions.
Strategic fit matters more than speed. Being the first isn’t as important as being the most aligned with your mission.
Partnerships add real value. From product referrals to peer connections, strong vendor relationships support innovation.

The Lending Playbook: Fueling Loans, Growing Deposits, & Managing Risk

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 deposit relationships, and proactively manage risk.
 
Mentioned on the Show:
Register for the next Navigating Lending webinar series here and, in the meantime, catch a replay of the first episode on demand!
What our guests are listening to: Smartless, The Dr. Hyman Show, New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce, Literally! with Rob Lowe, The Joe Rogan Experience
 
In this Episode:
0:47 – Get to know Randy and Jack
5:40 – New webinar series focusing on loan and deposit growth strategies. 
6:54 – A look at today’s lending and deposit landscape.
9:55 – How Q1 2025 compares with previous years. 
12:00 – Which proactive measures are critical when navigating the current asset quality landscape?
15:07 - Which loan sectors are still seeing high demand? 
19:00 – Which market signals are most reliable for indicating shifts in borrower demand?
23:16 - Driving loan growth with product diversity, marketing, and technology.
27:00 – How do credit unions compete with one another?  
29:34 – What are the simplest ways to streamline the borrowing process?
33:45 – The transition to a new generation of credit union leadership. 
36:33 - Building stronger lender relationships through product bundling.
43:30 – Achieving sustainable growth in lending and deposits: Final advice for credit unions.  

Behind the Curtain of CPI: Risk, Reputation, & Red Flags

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 years.
13:41  What are the trends driving how lending institutions are evaluating their CPI relationships? 
18:02  How a CPI relationship can either support or disrupt a credit union's member-first mission.
21:04  The risks when CPI providers prioritize automation and volume over precision and care. 
25:48  What's causing the rise in the number of CPI providers facing regulatory scrutiny? 
31:43  How CPI influences brand equity during times of customer financial hardship? 
38:28  Allied's unique approach to CPI and how it's changing the narrative. 
45:44  Why Allied's choice of delayed billing and reduced placements benefits both financial institutions and their customers.  
51:36  Final words of advice for FI executives looking to sign their next CPI contract.