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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MBFS Quick Hits: Latest in Credit With Kristina Paulson
Guest: Kristina Paulson Annual reviews of commercial lending take center stage as Mark Ritter hosts Kristina Paulson on Credit Union Conversations. This MBFS Quick Hits episode tackles year-end commercial loan annual reviews and the persistent debate over K-1 documentation. Kristina, AVP of Credit Services at MBFS, shares practical strategies for managing unresponsive borrowers and explains…
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Lending To Grow America with Bryan Doxford
Guest: Bryan Doxford Today on Credit Union Conversations, Mark Ritter sits down with Bryan Doxford of Grow America to discuss innovative approaches to supporting small businesses, affordable housing, and underserved communities. Bryan shares insights into the mission-driven work of Grow America, including its role in providing capital through SBA loans, new market tax credits, and…
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MBFS Quick Hits feat. Steve Young: These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things
Guest: Steve Young Central Pennsylvania tourism offers incredible experiences beyond the well-known cities of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. In this episode of Credit Union Conversations, host Mark Ritter welcomes back Steve Young of MBFS to explore the region’s hidden treasures. From the historic Gettysburg Battlefield to the sweet delights of Hershey, Pennsylvania, they discuss why this…
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It’s On! with Alexey Krasnoriadtsev CEO of Boucoup
Guest: Alexey Krasnoriadtsev Youth banking is transforming how credit unions engage families and prepare the next generation for financial success. In this episode of Credit Union Conversations, host Mark Ritter sits down with Alexey Krasnoriadtsev, CEO and co-founder of boucoup, to explore innovative family banking solutions that are changing the game for credit unions. Alexey…
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MBFS Quick Hits feat. Steve Young: Commercial Lending Negotiations
Guest: steve young Commercial lending negotiations require a different approach than consumer lending in credit unions. In this episode of Credit Union Conversations, host Mark Ritter talks with Steve Young, veteran relationship management professional at MBFS, about the art of business lending. Steve shares his journey from baseball to becoming a trusted advisor in the…
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Everyone Wants Gen Z Members-I Know One, So Let’s Talk to Ethan Ritter
Guest: ETHAN RITTER Gen Z banking preferences take center stage as Mark Ritter, host of Credit Union Conversations, interviews his son Ethan Ritter, a University of Pittsburgh finance student. This episode explores what credit union membership means to younger consumers and reveals surprising insights about mobile banking apps and digital engagement. Ethan shares candid perspectives…
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MBFS Quick Hits: Azra Samiee and Mark Go Deep On NYC
Guest: AZRA SAMIEE Insights on New York City travel by Credit Union Conversations host Mark Ritter and guest Azra Samiee reveal authentic experiences beyond typical tourist attractions. In this engaging episode, Mark shares his journey from small-town Pennsylvania to becoming a NYC enthusiast, while Azra, a 13-year Brooklyn resident, offers insider recommendations. Discover Brooklyn neighborhoods…
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It’s A Sunny Day At Sun East With Erik Harwood
Guest: Erik Harwood Credit union lending strategies take center stage as host Mark Ritter of Credit Union Conversations welcomes Erik Harwood from Sun East Federal Credit Union. Erik shares insights on navigating today’s commercial lending landscape and adapting to the normalized liquidity management environment of 2025. The conversation explores innovative residential mortgage lending programs, including…
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MBFS Quick Hits: Azra Samiee on Inclusiv’s Small Business Capital Initiative Training
Guest: Azra Samiee Azra and Mark introduce Inclusiv’s new business lending program for credit unions in New York state. IN THIS EPISODE: KEY TAKEAWAYS: RESOURCE LINKS: Mark Ritter WebsiteMark Ritter – LinkedInAzra Samiee – LinkedInSmall Business | Inclusiv Mark Ritter is the CEO of MBFS and an expert in credit unions and business lending. His primary…
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Funding the Businesses That Feed America with Phil Love
Guest: PHIL LOVE “We don’t do agricultural lending.” That’s the common phrase uttered across America, but why? Phil Love, the leader of Pactola, and Mark Ritter delve into the benefits of agricultural lending, how to approach it, and the advantages for lenders. IN THIS EPISODE: KEY TAKEAWAYS: RESOURCE LINKS: Mark Ritter WebsiteMark Ritter – LinkedInPactola…
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All The AI Talk You Ever Wanted
GuestS: Pankaj Jain Are you ready to revolutionize your Credit Union with cutting-edge AI? How can Pankaj Jain’s expertise in technology and entrepreneurship transform your digital lending? Welcome to Credit Union Conversations, where we unpack the future of finance with industry trailblazers. Join host Mark Ritter as he dives deep with Pankaj Jain, exploring AI…
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MBFS Quick Hits feat. Keith Koval-Industry Updates
Guest: KEITH KOVAL Discover the credit union trends that are driving success in today’s credit unions. Join host Mark Ritter on Credit Union Conversations as he and Keith Koval explore credit union loan volume growth and business lending participation loans, shaping the industry. This episode explores the evolving landscape of credit unions, highlighting trends that…
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Credit Union Media Talk With Frank Diekmann
GuestS: FRANK DIEKMANN Want to stay ahead in the Credit Union industry? Curious about how Frank Diekmann has shaped Credit Union Media? Join Mark Ritter on Credit Union Conversations and Frank Diekmann, the visionary behind CU Daily, to unpack the evolution of Credit Union Media. From Trade Publications to navigating Press Releases, this episode uncovers…
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MBFS Quick Hits feat. Keith Koval: It’s Football Time!
Guest: KEITH KOVAL Calling all College Football fans, are you ready to kick off the season with some bold predictions? Want to know who’s topping the Big 10 and SEC? Join us on this episode of MBFS Quick Hits, where Mark Ritter and Keith Koval from MBFS dive into the gridiron action. From Pittsburgh to…
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History Lesson with Todd Harper and Mike Radway
GuestS: Todd Harper and Mike Radway Mark and his two guests, Mike Radway and Todd Harper, go deep with a history lesson on the passing of HR 1151. This legislation paved the way for credit union growth in the past 25 years. Both Todd and Mike worked in the office of Rep. Paul Kanjorski at…
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MBFS Quick Hits feat. Todd Stauffer: Market Strategies For A Competitive Edge
Guest: Todd Stauffer Are you looking to boost your credit union’s loan portfolio? Want to stay ahead in the competitive world of financial services? In this episode of Credit Union Conversations, host Mark Ritter, CEO of MBFS, sits down with Todd Stauffer, our seasoned Relationship Manager in Western Pennsylvania, to share insights on succeeding in…