Podcasts
Credit Union Conversations
Welcome to Credit Union Conversations podcast with your host, Mark Ritter, a forward-thinking CEO, who excels in helping credit unions, small businesses, and real estate investors succeed.
Join Mark as he explores current trends, interview industry experts, and get fresh insights on optimizing your lending operations and delivering the best possible services to credit union members.
More About Your Host
Mark Ritter is the CEO of MBFS & Nu Direction Lending 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.
In 2002, Mark started a large central Pennsylvania credit union’s business lending program as “one person and a desk” with no policies, products, staff, systems, or business members. That program grew to be one of the top ten in the nation.
In 2012, he took on the challenge of being the CEO of a business lending CUSO. Mark was the fifth CEO in five years for the organization, which lost money every month of its existence. Since joining MBFS, Mark increased the number of credit unions the CUSO and revenue by over 10x and ensured positive cash flow every full year he’s been at the CUSO. More importantly, MBFS has helped countless credit union members gain the financing they need for business and investment needs.
Mark is a native of Berwick, PA in northeast Pennsylvania, where he was a member of his high school’s nationally ranked and state championship football team. After high school, Mark hung up his cleats to work for the Penn State Nittany Lions full-time as a student assistant while attending Penn State as an undergrad. During this time Penn State transitioned to the Big Ten and culminated in Penn State’s first Big Ten Championship and a trip to the Rose Bowl. Mark remains an avid Penn State supporter. Today Mark lives in Bucks County, PA outside of Doylestown with his wife and two teenagers.
Credit Union Conversations Episodes
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It’s A New World For Real Estate
Guest: Greg Schatzke and Ashley Rabamahefa This week, Mark is joined by Greg Schatzke of Servion to discuss the new real estate agency rules and how they impact credit unions. Greg also gives us a state of the world and discusses untapped options for credit unions. IN THIS EPISODE: KEY TAKEAWAYS: RESOURCE LINKS: Mark Ritter…
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One-On-One With Brian Waugaman of Erie FCU
Guest: Brian Waugaman Mark goes 1-on-1 with Erie FCU CEO Brian Waugaman on various topics in and out of the credit union space. What’s it like to live in Erie? How did he navigate becoming CEO after a long tenure at the credit union? What’s working and what needs work today? What is Brian’s crystal…
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Talking Marketing With Bill McKenna
Guest: Bill McKenna Welcome to this episode of Credit Union Conversations with Mark Ritter, where we delve into the strategies that set credit unions apart in a competitive financial landscape. Today, Mark is joined by Bill McKenna from McKenna Marketing, who brings a wealth of experience from the advertising industry to the credit union space.…
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Time To Organize Your Organization
Guest: Julie Markee How does Julie get one of the most laid-back CEOs to organize the company and get the team focused? Find out when Julie and one of her most difficult engagements discuss the EOS process and benefits. IN THIS EPISODE: KEY TAKEAWAYS: RESOURCE LINKS: Mark Ritter WebsiteMark Ritter – LinkedInJulie Markee – LinkedInJulie’s…
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State of Advocacy and Associations With Samantha Beeler
Guest: Samantha Beeler What type of impact does credit union advocacy make? How important is it to the success of credit unions? Mark and Samantha Beeler of LSCU talk about everything that goes on at our trade associations outside of the conferences we attend. Also, what is the future of trade associations for credit unions?…
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Checking In With Bryan Eichenbaum of American Heritage
Guest: Bryan Eichenbaum Bryan and Mark go round-robin on the state of the lending world and working with partners to build your lending program. What’s the state of the world like in 2024? Bryan looks into his crystal ball to discuss what volumes will be like in 2024 and 2025. What’s it like to get…
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Mark Goes Round Robin With A Solo Show
Today, Mark Ritter shares his insights on the state of credit unions and strategies for running a successful credit union. He discusses the challenges and benefits of working remotely and emphasizes building strong community relationships. Mark also offers his perspective on whether attending all available conferences is wise. His comprehensive analysis aims to guide credit…
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Bill Beardsley & Mark Fix All the World’s Problems
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…
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Checking In With Seth Brickman of Ranqx
Guest: Seth Brickman Today, Mark is joined by Seth Brickman, President of Ranqx, to discuss small business digital lending. Seth shares insights from his time working with Microsoft and Amazon and how he uses what he’s learned to help small businesses. IN THIS EPISODE: KEY TAKEAWAYS: RESOURCE LINKS: Mark Ritter WebsiteMark Ritter – LinkedInSeth Brickman…
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For Parents & Credit Unions…Talking Student Loans
Guest: Lance Teinert Lance Teinert and Mark Ritter get together to talk about the current state of education and student lending. Today’s marketplace is interwoven with the political landscape, so Lance weighs in on how today’s news headlines impact his business, CURevl. IN THIS EPISODE: KEY TAKEAWAYS: RESOURCE LINKS: Mark Ritter WebsiteMark Ritter – LinkedInLance…
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Compliance Talk With Alan Ropes of VyFi
Guest: Alan Ropes Alan Ropes and Mark Ritter discuss information security, an essential topic for our listeners. Mark admits he is not a detail guy by nature, but fortunately, VyFi is a Credit Union Service Organization, and they do a great job keeping members’ information private. Tune in for valuable information on keeping your data…
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Selling Your Brand In 2024
Guest: Miri Rossitto MBFS and Miri have had an amazing journey together, and I’m thrilled to chat with her today. Tune in as she shares her extensive expertise in marketing and brand development. Miri also offers a unique take on AI and social media platforms. I hope you enjoy this episode of Credit Union Conversations.…
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What Does a Borrower Want From Their Credit Union
Guest: Brandon Cobb What are your borrowers thinking? What do they want to make you their preferred lender? Brandon Cobb joins Mark today to talk about what it is like to be a borrower and what credit unions can do to make real estate investors long-term and happy members. IN THIS EPISODE: KEY TAKEAWAYS: RESOURCE…
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Tech Talk: Here Come The Machines
Guest: Jody Pillard What has changed since MBFS started working with Weidenhammer? Basically everything. Jody and Mark make sense of the coming AI revolution and what we should be worried about these days with security. IN THIS EPISODE: KEY TAKEAWAYS: RESOURCE LINKS: Mark Ritter WebsiteMark Ritter – LinkedInWeidenhammer WebsiteJody Pillard LinkedIn BIO: Mark Ritter is the…
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Kick The Tires With Bob Brant
Guest: Bob Brant Mark and Bob talk about the evolution of credit unions’ relationship with auto dealers and indirect financing, what the pandemic was like, and what it is like to finance vehicles these days. IN THIS EPISODE: KEY TAKEAWAYS: RESOURCE LINKS: Mark Ritter WebsiteMark Ritter – LinkedInKeystone Lending Alliance Website BIO: Mark Ritter is the…
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Accountant, The Credit Union, & Your Member
Guest: Nolan Bradbury Nolan Bradbury joins Mark today to talk about the relationship between lender, accountant, and member. Also, what is the best way to manage debt load? What does the conversation look like between accountant and business owner when they talk about lenders? Nolan and Mark look under the covers to talk about what…