Reviving Small Credit Unions: Josh Hench on Purpose, Grit, and Growth

Reviving Small Credit Unions: Josh Hench on Purpose, Grit, and Growth

What does it take to lead a 3,000-member credit union in a world of billion-dollar players? For Josh Hench [https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-hench-4509a81b1/], COO and CEO-in-waiting at Tuscaloosa VA Federal Credit Union [https://www.tvacu.com/], the answer lies in purpose, grit, and doubling down on human connection. In this episode of Nest Egg Narratives, Josh shares how his upbringing shaped his approach to money, what he's learned from building trust with every member who walks through the door, and why small credit unions are uniquely positioned to thrive — not just survive — in today’s financial landscape. You’ll hear how TVACU navigated a core conversion on a tight budget, how they’ve shifted communication to stay closer to their members, and why Josh believes creating an energetic workplace culture is key to long-term success. It’s a candid conversation about leadership, financial literacy, and the future of small credit unions from one of the movement’s rising young leaders. 📝 Topics Covered: * Josh’s earliest memory of turning a profit — with rocks and jewelry boxes * Lessons in grit from a construction-worker dad * Why smaller teams can lead to deeper staff alignment * How TVACU managed a core conversion with minimal disruption * A modern twist on credit building through pledge loans * The power of purpose in retaining members and staff 💬 Key Quotes: "People don’t just want a loan — they want someone who listens." "We’re not trying to sell you something. We just want you to understand how the system works." "If you keep your members and your staff at the center of every decision, the rest takes care of itself." "Being small means I can talk to every employee every day — that’s our advantage." "Purpose is enduring. Innovation is exciting, but at the end of the day, this work is about people." 🎧 Powered by Ostrich Ostrich helps credit unions grow membership and drive financial wellness with digital tools, educational content, and turnkey programs. Learn more at GetOstrich.com [https://getostrich.com/].

Old-School Values, Modern Banking: How WCU Credit Union Is Winning Member Loyalty with Steve Determan

WCU Credit Union might be small, but under the leadership of CEO Steve Determan, it’s making a big impact. In this episode of Nest Egg Narratives, Steve shares how his team balances old-school member service with modern digital banking—and how that’s driving loyalty and growth. You’ll hear why he built a hands-on financial literacy program from scratch, how he prioritizes tech upgrades on a tight budget, and what it really means to serve members at every life stage. It’s a powerful story of leadership, values, and real-world impact from one of Alabama’s most community-centered credit unions. 📝 Topics Covered: * The origin of Steve’s passion for financial literacy (and how he teaches it) * How WCU built 8–12 week financial education programs from scratch * Why budgeting lessons are failing—and what to teach instead * How small credit unions can prioritize tech without huge budgets * Member loyalty stories that prove community > convenience * What it really means to serve members at every life stage Whether you’re a credit union executive, an emerging leader, or just curious how small shops punch above their weight, this conversation is packed with practical insights and human moments. 🧠 Key Takeaways * “Your first budget will probably fail—and that’s okay. You learn and move forward.” * Students in WCU’s program have already opened 401(k)s and asked about loans before graduating high school. * Teaching financial literacy isn’t about theory—it’s about action. * Building credit early opens doors to homeownership, education, and stability. * Long-tenured employees build trust and institutional memory that fuels member loyalty. * Prioritizing one or two tech upgrades can modernize a credit union’s image overnight. 💬 Memorable Quotes “Credit unions aren’t just financial institutions. We’re financial partners in people’s lives.” — Steve Determan “Your first budget will probably fail—and that’s okay. You learn and move forward.” — Steve Determan “Credit unions aren’t just financial institutions. We’re financial partners in people’s lives.” — Steve Determan Connect with Steve Determan on LinkedIn. [https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-determan-8a6aa623/] Nest Egg Narratives is brought to you by Ostrich, where our mission is to ensure the next generation is the most financially secure. We help credit unions connect with younger members through engaging financial literacy tools, programming, and insights. Learn more at getostrich.com.

A Life in Credit Unions: Mike Powers on his Journey from Teller to CEO

In this conversation, Mike Powers shares his journey from a young wrestling fan to the CEO of Garden Savings Credit Union. He discusses his early experiences with money, his career progression within credit unions, and the recent merger with Pinnacle. The conversation delves into the importance of maintaining a physical presence in banking, navigating challenges in the financial landscape, and the significance of community values in business strategy. Powers emphasizes the need for transparency and communication during the merger process and outlines future initiatives aimed at enhancing member services and profitability. In this conversation, Mike Powers and Andrew Holliday discuss the importance of building relationships in the credit union industry, the initiatives aimed at enhancing member financial wellness, and the significance of member feedback. They explore the role of AI in improving customer service, the future trends in credit unions, and the importance of catering to diverse member needs. Additionally, they touch on financial education, leadership styles, and workplace culture, concluding with recommendations for resources and words of wisdom for credit union leaders.

From Pig Farming to CEO: Steve Swofford on Growing Alabama Credit Union from $75M to $2B

What does it take to lead a credit union from $75 million to over $2 billion in assets? In this episode of Nest Egg Narratives, we sit down with Steve Swofford, longtime CEO of Alabama Credit Union, to unpack a career shaped by trust, timing, and a few bold decisions. Steve shares the story of how landing Mercedes-Benz as a partner led to 500 new accounts in a week—and how that success opened doors to serve other major employers like Airbus. We talk leadership philosophy, financial literacy efforts (including a peer-to-peer student program at the University of Alabama), and the value of building real relationships—with staff, boards, and fellow CEOs. From growing up raising pigs to fund college to leading one of the region’s most respected credit unions, Steve’s story is filled with hard-earned lessons for leaders at any level. Topics Covered: * Hiring smart and leading with trust * The story behind Alabama CU’s Mercedes-Benz win * Building deep relationships with board members * Why financial education matters—and how to deliver it * Mergers, acquisitions, and how to know when to say no * What makes credit unions unique (and why it still matters) Whether you’re a credit union executive, an emerging leader, or curious about how to scale community impact, this conversation is packed with timeless takeaways. 🧠 Key Takeaways * “Get the right people, give them resources, and get out of their way.” * Credit unions thrive when leaders prioritize transparency and trust—especially with boards and members. * Employer relationships can create a flywheel effect—Mercedes opened doors to Airbus and others. * Investing in financial education—whether it’s students or employees—pays dividends in loyalty and member impact. * Mergers and bank acquisitions require discipline, due diligence, and emotional intelligence. * The shared branching network and spirit of cooperation are unique advantages that credit unions must protect. 💬 Memorable Quote “The person standing in front of you is an owner of this credit union. Treat them like they are.” – Steve Swofford Nest Egg Narratives is brought to you by Ostrich, where our mission is to ensure the next generation is the most financially secure. We help credit unions connect with younger members through engaging financial literacy tools, programming, and insights. Learn more at GetOstrich.com [https://getostrich.com/]

Introducing Nest Egg Narratives: Real Talk with Credit Union Leaders

Get a preview of what’s ahead on Nest Egg Narratives—a new podcast exploring the future of credit unions through conversations with leaders at institutions of all sizes. From big wins to real challenges, we’re sharing the stories shaping the credit union movement. Brought to you by Ostrich [https://getostrich.com/]—on a mission to ensure the next generation is the most financially secure.