Episodes

  • Grow Approvals Without Growing Losses

    Grow Approvals Without Growing Losses
    Mar 18 2026
    How can lenders increase approvals without increasing charge-offs?

    In this episode of Leaders in Lending, Dan Harp, Chief Lending Officer at 717 Credit Union, discusses how decision engines and AI-powered underwriting models are reshaping risk assessment. From 2,000-variable models to borrower trajectory analysis, this conversation explores:
    • Credit scoring limitations
    • AI and machine learning in underwriting
    • Decision engines vs human exceptions
    • Portfolio performance monitoring
    • Mortgage risk strategy
    • Economic outlook for 2026
    • Compliance burden in credit unions
    If you lead lending strategy, risk or growth, this episode offers practical insight into scaling responsibly.

    Listen on leadersinlending.ai
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    35 mins
  • AI in Lending: What’s Real, What’s Working, What’s Next

    AI in Lending: What’s Real, What’s Working, What’s Next
    Feb 18 2026
    AI in lending is no longer a future conversation. It is operational today.

    In Episode 185 of Leaders in Lending, we discuss what is actually working in regulated environments. From underwriting and fraud detection to document verification and exception handling, AI is becoming more measurable and more embedded in daily workflows. We also examine fairness, human oversight and the competitive pressure from buy now, pay later products.

    The divide is growing between institutions leaning in and those standing still.

    #LeadersInLending #AIinBanking #CreditUnions #BankingLeadership #Fintech #LendingStrategy
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    21 mins
  • Why Credit Unions Are Winning Where Big Banks Can’t

    Why Credit Unions Are Winning Where Big Banks Can’t
    Jan 21 2026
    In this episode of Leaders in Lending, Adam Landsverk, Chief Lending Officer at FOXCU, joins host Barry Roach to discuss leadership, responsibility, and what it really means to serve members in today’s lending environment.

    With decades of experience across consumer lending, mortgage, commercial banking, and wealth management, Adam shares his journey from traditional banking into the credit union space — and why that transition reshaped how he thinks about decision-making, diversification, and community impact.

    The conversation explores how credit unions differ from large financial institutions, why local autonomy matters, and how lending leaders can balance growth, risk, and member value. Adam also shares insights on housing market conditions, home equity demand, and what community-based lenders should be preparing for as we move through 2026. In this episode, you’ll hear about:
    • Adam Landsverk’s path from banking to credit unions
    • The role of a Chief Lending Officer in local decision-making
    • How credit unions approach diversification across lending products
    • Housing market trends and home equity opportunities
    • Balancing economics with member value
    • Leadership lessons for community-based lenders
    This episode of Leaders in Lending offers a thoughtful, experience-driven perspective on why community-focused lenders continue to succeed where scale alone falls short.

    🎧 Leaders in Lending features conversations with executives shaping the future of lending, banking, and credit unions.
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    37 mins
  • The Biggest Lending Lessons We Learned in 2025

    The Biggest Lending Lessons We Learned in 2025
    Jan 7 2026
    In this special year-end edition of Leaders in Lending, Drew Megrey, Barry Roach, and Lynn Sautter Beal reflect on the most impactful conversations from 2025. As lending leaders navigated a year defined by uncertainty, rapid technological change, and evolving regulatory landscapes, this episode revisits the insights that shaped the industry. From credit risk strategy and AI model governance to new member engagement and the future of servicing, hear the best moments from standout episodes featuring voices across the financial ecosystem. Whether you're planning for 2026 or looking back on lessons learned, this compilation captures the defining themes of the year in lending.
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    25 mins
  • The Difference Between Managing and Leading Lending

    The Difference Between Managing and Leading Lending
    Dec 23 2025
    In this episode of Leaders in Lending, host Barry Roach sits down with Lisa Highley, Chief Lending Officer at the University of Kentucky Federal Credit Union, for a candid conversation about what truly separates managing from leading in today’s lending environment. Highley shares her unconventional rise from part-time teller to executive leader and recalls the moment she realized that operational skill and technical expertise do not automatically translate into effective leadership.

    The discussion also highlights UKFCU’s period of rapid transformation, including the launch of a mortgage department, the expansion of commercial lending, major investments in digital channels, and the use of AI-driven underwriting technology to serve members more effectively. Barry and Highley explore servant leadership, building trust across lending teams, and how credit union leaders can prepare their organizations for the future while maintaining a strong focus on culture, accountability and the member experience.
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    36 mins
  • The $10B Insight Every Lender Needs

    The $10B Insight Every Lender Needs
    Dec 10 2025
    Managing $10 billion in loans teaches you a lot about what truly drives repayment and performance. In this episode of Leaders in Lending, host Lynn Sautter Beal sits down with Jesse Obbink, vice president and general manager of servicing at Upstart, to break down the operational, analytical and human insights that matter most once a loan is on the books.

    Jesse shares why servicing is “underwriting with an operational twist,” how data and machine learning help shape borrower outcomes and why empathy often outperforms traditional collections tactics. They also discuss what scale unlocks, how to manage dozens of vendor relationships effectively and how LLMs are transforming frontline agent workflows.

    Whether you lead a credit union, bank or fintech, this conversation reframes servicing as a strategic lever for reducing losses, improving repayment and strengthening long-term performance.
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    34 mins
  • Planning to Win: Lending Strategies for an Uncertain Economy

    Planning to Win: Lending Strategies for an Uncertain Economy
    Nov 12 2025
    The economy is shifting fast, and your lending strategy cannot afford to lag. In this episode of Leaders in Lending, hosts Barry Roach and Drew Megrey explore how scenario planning helps financial leaders stay ahead of market volatility.

    Learn how top executives are navigating uncertainty, managing technology risks such as AI and cybersecurity, and making bold decisions that could define 2026. Whether you are a credit union executive, bank leader or fintech strategist, this episode offers insights to build resilience and growth.

    The lending landscape is changing. Do not just react to it. Plan to win.

    In this episode, you will learn:
    • Why scenario planning is the most important skill for 2026
    • How smart leaders use AI tools to forecast, mitigate risk and act faster
    • What is really happening with consumer behavior and spending patterns
    • How rising delinquencies and tightening credit standards are shaping lender appetite
    • Why Buy Now, Pay Later could become a silent threat to credit quality
    • How to balance cybersecurity spending with innovation and digital growth
    Do not risk being caught off guard in 2026. Learn how to plan, pivot and outperform starting today. Subscribe now so you never miss a strategy that keeps you ahead.
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    26 mins
  • Winning the Lending Game: What Smart Credit Unions Are Doing Differently

    Winning the Lending Game: What Smart Credit Unions Are Doing Differently
    Oct 29 2025
    Credit unions are operating in a new lending environment defined by risk, regulation and rapid innovation. In this episode of Leaders in Lending, hosts Barry Roach, Drew Megrey and Lynn Sautter Beal share how forward-thinking credit unions are adapting to win.

    They explore how to build confidence in AI-driven models, balance compliance with growth, and strengthen governance through smarter data. The hosts also discuss why being too conservative on credit can cost market share, how approval experience matters more than rates and why data-driven models now outperform traditional underwriting.

    From model oversight to regulatory readiness, this conversation gives credit union leaders practical strategies to stay competitive, confident and compliant in today’s lending landscape.

    Don’t risk falling behind. Learn how to strengthen your governance, leverage smarter data, and prepare for the future of lending today.
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    26 mins