From bartending in Estes Park to golf lessons to running a multimillion-dollar CUSO, Michael Nagl’s story proves that the best leaders take unexpected roads. He and Mark Ritter dig into mortgage-lending boom-and-bust cycles, why member service still beats automation, and how a niche auto-leasing program now serves credit unions nationwide. They also swap stories about golf at altitude and Estes Park, Colorado. Whether you run lending or just love a great career journey story, this episode of Credit Union Conversation delivers insight, humor, and real talk about building lasting credit union partnerships in a shifting rate environment.

IN THIS EPISODE:

  • 00:00 Meet Michael Nagl, CEO of Centennial Lending, and learn about his ties to Estes Park, Colorado
  • 05:10 From bartending to golf pro, Michael’s unconventional path into credit union lending
  • 12:19 Managing mortgage lending boom and bust cycles, including the 2023 workforce reduction
  • 16:02 Why member service still wins over automation in today’s mortgage lending market
  • 22:56 Inside Centennial’s member business loans and commercial real estate lending strategy
  • 29:53 How indirect auto loans and leasing became a niche win for the credit union service organization
  • 37:13 What makes a strong credit union partnership work, plus Centennial’s four strategic pillars

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Strong credit union lending relationships depend on communication, discipline, and genuine member service, not just rates
  • Mortgage lending is cyclical, and CUSOs that absorb the boom and bust protect staff and credit union partners alike
  • Auto leasing and member business loans give credit unions low-delinquency ways to diversify their lending portfolio

RESOURCE LINKS:

Mark Ritter – LinkedIn
Michael Nagl – LinkedIn

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.