The conference featured the inspiring story of an Oregon credit union and its remarkable turnaround, panels on collaboration and fintech, as well as a representative from the NCUA.

(left to right) Teri Robinson, CEO, Ironworkers FCU; Brian Vittek, CEO, Destinations CU; Jay Johnson, Chief Collaboration Officer, Callahan & Associates

The second annual conference was held on Saturday and offered insight on topics relevant to credit unions with assets of $50 million or less.

WSSC FCU CEO Jeff Goff found significant value in attending saying, "The time I spent at the conference was rewarded with great networking opportunities and takeaways."

Teri Robinson, CEO of Ironworkers USA FCU in Portland, Oregon was the keynote and shared how she guided the credit union out of difficult financial times through perseverance and commitment to a clear vision that the credit union existed to serve ironworkers.

JeanMarie Komyathy, Deputy Director of NCUA’s Office of Resources and Expansion, outlined the resources available to small credit unions including obtaining a Low-Income designation and help obtaining CDFI Grants.

Panel discussions on collaboration and fintech offered attendees the opportunity for an open dialogue on issues impacting their credit unions. Brian Vittek, CEO of Destinations Credit Union based in Baltimore County, discussed the CUSO formed by six credit unions to share services and reduce costs, rkGoBig. The organization just added two more credit unions. The other panelists included Jay Johnson, Chief Collaboration Officer, Callahan & Associates and Teri Robinson, CEO, Ironworkers FCU.

The fintech panel included Keith Riddle, CEO of Sherpa Technologies; Michael Powers, Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer for First Financial FCU; and Frank Glover, Director of Maryland Venture Fund.

Glover told attendees that they are in a much better position when it comes to understanding their members, “These new lending fintechs are using ones and zeros to guess your members’ needs, but you already know them, or at least you should, and that’s a huge advantage.”