Guest: Bill Beardsley

Bill Beardsley of Michigan Business Connection joins our host, Mark Ritter today to hit a wide range of topics from the credit union and non-credit union worlds. Since Bill’s office is in Ann Arbor and he’s a Michigan State fan there will bound to be some Big Ten talk sprinkled in the conversation.

IN THIS EPISODE:

  • [2:26] Bill shares his professional background
  • [7:47]  Discussion of the creation of QUOS and the NCOA
  • [13:13] Bill discusses his role at NACUSO and its function
  • [17:17] Bill explains what is working for credit unions in 2024 and what challenges he expects
  • [25:07] Discussion of grooming people within the credit union space to continue the business when leadership positions become available and the way the NCUA could improve
  • [32:07] Bill gives his advice on starting a new QSO

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • The culture of the banking industry and the credit union space are vastly different. With a credit union, it is about relationship building in the community
  • QUOS’s success is due to its focus on the consumer rather than just making money
  • Collaborative relationships among QUOS and credit unions create an atmosphere of cooperation and knowledge

RESOURCE LINKS:

Mark Ritter Website
Mark Ritter – LinkedIn
Michigan Business Connection – Website
NACUSO – Website

BIO:

Mark Ritter is the CEO of MBFS and an expert in credit unions and business lending. His primary role at MBFS is overseeing the strategy of helping credit unions assist members with business needs and consulting with credit unions on planning the delivery of services to their membership.

Bill Beardsley is a financial services professional with more than 30 years of business and community organization leadership responsibilities. Led the start-up of the MBC “CUSO” in 2004 to energize and enable Michigan credit union success in commercial lending; now recognized as a leading CUSO in the USA with more than $1.5 Billion of commercial loan commitments under management. Board member for NACUSO, the national trade association for CUSOs, frequent industry event speaker related to CUSOs, collaboration, credit risk and commercial lending and personal advocate for the American Red Cross, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.