Members First Mindset

How Credit Unions First Is Fixing What's Broken in Insurance Products

In this special episode of Members First Mindset, Joshua Barclay (host of Grow Your Credit Union) takes over hosting duties to dive deep into Credit Unions First — the CUSO behind the podcast. Joshua sits down with Dan Daggett, Melanie Munsey, and Emily Jorgensen to illuminate what Credit Unions First does, their mission, and the problems they're solving for credit unions. Key Topics Discussed: * The history of credit union insurance alternatives and how Credit Unions First is recreating that model * Why 80-90% of credit unions use force-placed insurance without knowing blanket lender single interest products exist * The hidden costs of force-placed policies: adding $6,000+ to struggling members' loans and driving 75-80% of repossessions * AMOCO Federal Credit Union's results: receiving 78 cents back on every premium dollar vs. 51-52 cents with force-placed * How the Navigator platform gives credit unions real-time visibility into their insurance programs * The roadmap: collateral protection insurance, vehicle service contracts, accidental death & dismemberment, and GAP products * Why Emily Jorgensen was sent to the Credit Union Museum as part of her onboarding * Building an advisory board and surrounding yourself with people smarter than you * The "easy button" trap and why credit unions need to do the hard work for members On This Episode: * Dan Daggett - Co-Founder, Credit Unions First * Melanie Munsey - CEO & Co-Founder, Credit Unions First * Emily Jorgensen - Director of Operations and Training, Credit Unions First * Joshua Barclay - Host, Grow Your Credit Union For more information about Credit Unions First, visit creditunionsfirst.org. Check out their interactive CPI calculator and vehicle service contract calculator to see how much money your credit union could be keeping.

Shouldn't Every Decision Be About the Member?

Join Dan Daggett and Melanie Munsey as they sit down with Tansley Stearns, CEO of Community Financial Credit Union and recent inductee into the Herstory Exhibit at America's Credit Union Museum. This powerful conversation explores how credit unions can stay relevant by making listening a superpower, creating innovation through member stories, and remembering the humble roots of the cooperative movement. Featured Guest * Tansley Stearns - CEO of Community Financial Credit Union, former Filene Research Institute leader, Herstory Exhibit inductee, champion of financial wellness and collaborative innovation Key Topics Covered * Listening as a Superpower * The Relevance Crisis * Innovation Through Collaboration * Revenue Diversification and CUSOs * The Humility Factor * The Chapter Meeting Era vs. Today * Mental Health and Financial Well-being Connection * The Regulatory Balance * Getting Back to Stories Over Scores * Success Stories and Initiatives * Collaborative Legacy Want to keep more, earn more, and serve better? Discover how Credit Unions First helps credit unions build stronger, more profitable communities at creditunionsfirst.org.

How Are Credit Unions Doing Managing Uninsured Collateral Losses?

The uninsured driver crisis is creating catastrophic exposure for credit union auto portfolios across America. In the latest episode of the Members First Mindset podcast, hosts Dan Daggett [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-daggett-76103184/], Chief Strategy Officer at Credit Unions First [https://www.linkedin.com/company/credit-unions-first/posts/?feedView=all], and Melanie Munsey [https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-munsey-80682111/], CEO, Credit Unions First [https://www.linkedin.com/company/credit-unions-first/posts/?feedView=all] speak with Scott Eckerty [https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-eckerty-6646014/], President of HUB Financial Services [https://hubfinservices.com/], who brings 33 years of experience helping credit unions manage insurance risks. They reveal the shocking reality that 35.7 million Americans drive without insurance due to affordability issues, while credit unions face $40,000-$75,000 total loss claims on performing loans when borrowers drop coverage. They expose the "teaser pricing" problem plaguing the insurance industry and show how transparent, collaborative partnerships protect credit union portfolios through monthly stewardship and member education. Need transparent insurance partnerships that prioritize your members? Contact Hub Financial Services at HubFinServices.com to learn how their collaborative approach protects credit union portfolios. Want to keep more, earn more, and serve better? Discover how Credit Unions First helps credit unions build stronger, more profitable communities at creditunionsfirst.org.

The Power of Branding and Marketing With the CUSO M3 Group

Building a powerful brand starts with understanding who you serve and why you exist. In the latest episode of the Members First Mindset podcast, hosts Dan Daggett, Chief Strategy Officer at Credit Unions First, and Melanie Munsey speak with two marketing leaders transforming how credit unions connect with their communities: Tiffany Dowling, CEO of M3 Group, brings 23+ years of credit union marketing expertise and shares her journey from independent agency owner to CUSO leader. Melissa DeMott, Senior Client Strategist at M3 Group, leads their innovative pod system that delivers dedicated marketing teams to credit unions nationwide. They reveal how their M3 Method—Magnify, Motivate, Mobilize—helped Credit Unions First grow from 17 LinkedIn followers to nearly 1,000 in one year. They show how authentic branding rooted in research creates lasting member connections and drives measurable growth. Ready to transform your credit union's marketing? Contact M3 Group at M3group.biz Want to keep more, earn more, and serve better? Discover how Credit Unions First helps credit unions grow stronger communities at creditunionsfirst.com.

Mission-Driven CUSOs: Members Mobile, Reseda Group, and FI SAFE

Host Dan Daggett, Chief Strategy Officer of Credit Unions First, is joined by guest co-host Emily Jorgensen, Manager of Training and Development at Credit Unions First, for a conversation with two leaders driving innovation in the credit union space: * Ben Maxim, Chief Technology Officer at MSU Federal Credit Union and Chief Operating Officer of Reseda Group * Jonathan Taylor, Executive Vice President of Partnerships at Members Mobile and founding partner of FI SAFE They explore how Members Mobile started as a way to help domestic violence survivors regain financial control and has grown into a credit union-owned mobile network. Ben shares why Reseda Group invested in the project, seeing it as a new delivery channel for financial services. Together, the group discusses how bundling mobile service with checking accounts and loans can deepen member engagement and improve financial inclusion. Learn more at: membersmobile.com resedagroup.com creditunionsfirst.org