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 feat. Carrie Hutton: Commercial Loan Process
Guest: Carrie Hutton Business lending expert Carrie Hutton shares her journey from military spouse to VP of documentation services at MBFS in this episode of Credit Union Conversations. Host Mark Ritter explores the critical components of the loan closing process, including essential entity documents, title work, and collateral valuations. Hutton reveals how proper documentation requirements…
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Checking In With Ancin Cooley of Synergy Credit Union Consulting and CU Communities
Guest: Ancin Cooley Discover how credit union strategies shape the future of cooperative banking in this compelling conversation between host Mark Ritter and Ancin Cooley, founder of Synergy Credit Union Consulting and CU Communities. From his early days as an OCC examiner to running a consulting practice focused on strategic planning and board development, Cooley…
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MBFS Quick Hits: 2026 WAGs with Jeff Lyons
Guest: Jeffrey Lyons Credit union lending faces pivotal changes in 2026 as interest rates, inflation, and regulatory shifts reshape the landscape. In this episode of Credit Union Conversations, host Mark Ritter and MBFS COO Jeff Lyons make bold predictions about fed rate movements, treasury rates, and commercial lending growth. They discuss how rising delinquency rates…
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How Can We Get More Small Businesses? With Gord Baizley
Guest: Gord Baizley In this episode of Credit Union Conversations, host Mark Ritter sits down with Gord Baizley, Co-Founder and CEO of Judi.ai, to explore why small business lending remains one of the greatest untapped opportunities for credit unions—and how technology is finally making it scalable. Gord shares his unique career journey from law and…
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MBFS Quick Hits: Reviewing 2025 Credit Union Predictions with Jeff Lyons
Guest: Jeff Lyons Credit union predictions take center stage as Mark Ritter hosts Jeff Lyons on Credit Union Conversations to review their 2025 forecasts. The MBFS leaders analyze their interest rate forecasts, NCUA board changes, and tariff-negotiation predictions with a candid self-assessment. Throughout this engaging review, they explore Federal Reserve rate cuts, consumer lending trends,…
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Connecting With Your Community As Told By Josh Rodriguez
Guest: Josh Rodriguez In this episode of Credit Union Conversations, host Mark Ritter speaks with Josh Rodriguez of West Community Credit Union about authentic community engagement, storytelling through podcasting, and the evolving role of credit unions in a competitive financial landscape. Josh shares his 20+ year journey in the credit union industry—from phone teller to…
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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…