The Allied Angle

 In this episode of The Allied Angle, we take an inside look at how executive benefit programs are helping credit unions strengthen leadership continuity, retention, and long-term stability. Joining us are H. David Wright, Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer, and Matt Morris, VP of Client Relations at TriscendNP, a firm specializing in executive benefit solutions for nonprofit organizations.
 Dave and Matt share how credit unions are becoming more proactive and strategic about compensation planning—moving beyond “check-the-box” benefits to customized, mission-aligned solutions that support both current and future leaders. From navigating tighter liquidity and rising interest rates to fostering transparent conversations at the board level, they discuss the evolving landscape of executive benefits and what credit unions should keep in mind as they prepare for the next generation of leadership.
This podcast is sponsored by TriscendNP. 
 
00:59 – Getting to know Dave and Matt.
05:32 – Recent shifts in how credit unions approach executive compensation and continuity planning.
08:12 – How executive benefits fit into overall talent recruitment strategies.
10:25 – A well-structured executive benefits plan as a key to succession success.
13:20 – Challenges credit unions face when implementing executive benefits packages.
16:14 – How TriscendNP helps credit unions create effective benefits strategies.
18:58 – “Credit unions aren’t built the same, and benefits plans shouldn’t be either.”
21:15 – Weighing short-term affordability against long-term impact.
23:14 – Guiding boards through compensation conversations and building confidence in their decisions.
25:32 – Emerging risks and trends to watch in executive benefits.
27:05 – Advice for credit unions considering a change to their benefits strategy.
28:42 – Final thoughts for credit union leaders.

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.
 
00:35  Get to know Zach.
03:16  Top 5 loss trends: high frequency vs. high severity, and what’s changed in the past year.
05:22  The two leading indicators teams should monitor to spot trouble early.
07:48  Spotting new account fraud: controls that cut losses fast without hurting the member experience.
10:51   The account takeover paths driving the biggest losses, and the events that help you spot them.
15:08   Where plastic card fraud losses are concentrating now.
18:07   The tech innovations most likely to reduce check fraud.
20:44  Two key steps to help prevent ATM and ITM attacks.
23:06  Frontline training: the checkpoints that stop the most losses.
25:51  The most important takeaway for credit union CEOs.

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 about Millennium at https://nationwiderecoverymanagers.com/
 
This podcast is sponsored by Millennium Capital and Recovery Corporation.
 
In this episode: 
 
00:55  Get to know Jeff.
03:01  The evolution of the asset recovery industry over the past decade.
05:17  Key challenges for lenders in today’s recovery environment.
06:20  How is the current economic climate influencing skip tracing and repossession volumes?
07:34  Top compliance risks lenders must manage
09:55  How Millennium helps clients maintain a careful balance in borrower communications.
13:06  Effective technologies for optimizing skip tracing
14:30   Balancing AI and automation without sacrificing human oversight at Millennium.
16:41   What is TRACKR and how does it provide real-time data and visibility to lenders.
17:21   The trends shaping the future of asset recovery.
19:40  Final advice for lenders wanting to optimize their recovery strategy.

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

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.
 

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

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. 

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.

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.
 

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