With thousands of credit union-related conversations under his belt, CU Broadcast host Mike Lawson has his finger on the pulse of the industry like few others.

So we asked him point blank: after everything you heard in 2025, what should be top of mind for credit union leaders heading into next year?

His answer? A wake-up call.

In this episode, Mike Lawson and host Joshua Barclay dissect the uncomfortable truths facing credit unions—from an aging membership base that threatens the movement's long-term survival, to mega-mergers that risk eroding the "people helping people" DNA that makes credit unions different.

We talk about what's actually working to attract younger members (hint: it's not just TikTok), why some credit unions are quietly dropping "credit union" from their names, and how AI is creating an arms race between fraudsters and the institutions trying to stop them.

This podcast episode is sponsored by BusinessNext, the all-in-one CRM made for credit unions and community banks.

If you want to see the BusinessNext CRM in action, you can watch a demo video by clicking this link.

Most financial institutions are swimming in risk right now: cyber threats, regulatory pressure, liquidity concerns, fast-moving competitors, and the accelerating impact of AI.

But as Ed Vincent, CEO of Lumio Solutions, explains, the biggest threat isn't any of those individually. It's the fragmented data sitting behind them.

In this episode, Ed breaks down why community banks and credit unions are essentially flying blind when their data lives in disconnected systems, spreadsheets, and legacy tools. He reveals why traditional, rear-view-mirror risk management leaves leaders reacting too late—and how unified, real-time data gives institutions the visibility to see what's coming before it hits.

Ed also shares why inertia is the most dangerous force in the industry right now, and why leaders can't afford to wait for "perfect information" before taking action. From practical steps for building a data foundation, to examples of how unified data transforms forecasting, credit decisions, fraud detection, and board-level reporting, this conversation offers a roadmap for modern, forward-looking risk management.

Want to see how BusinessNext actually works? Watch the demo right here.

Most credit unions talk about digital transformation as a tech problem. But the real differentiator is not software. It is a strategy that starts with your people and your teams.

According to McKinsey, about 70 percent of digital transformation initiatives fail to meet their goals, creating massive waste and stalled progress for financial institutions.

This episode cuts through the noise by featuring someone who has actually delivered meaningful transformation in a real credit union.

Jonah LaFollette, Chief Strategy Officer at Foothill Federal Credit Union, shares how his team transformed member experience by rethinking their entire approach.

Instead of leading with shiny tools, Foothill Federal Credit Union started with a clear strategic framework, rebuilt its processes, moved critical systems to the cloud, and invested deeply in internal talent. The result: a culture that understands the "why" behind every decision. And a team confident enough to use technology to its fullest potential.

You'll hear how Foothill Federal Credit Union:

• Went from on-prem systems and siloed data to real-time analytics.

• Built entirely new roles to own and champion critical systems like CRM and digital banking.

• Tripled consumer lending volume: from $3M to over $10M at peak.

• Opened 250+ digital memberships with 87% converting into loans or direct deposit.

• Used AI and cloud modernization to reduce reporting time from weeks to minutes.

If you are looking for a grounded, strategic approach to digital transformation, this conversation lays out the first steps.

Listen in and see how your teams can use technology to serve members more effectively.

To watch a demo video of the BusinessNext CRM platform, click this link.