Credit Union Exam Solutions Presents With Flying Colors

www.marktreichel.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-treichel/President Trump has called for a one-year cap on credit card interest rates at 10%. It’s a headline-grabbing proposal — but can he actually do it, and what would it really mean for consumers, banks, and credit unions?In this episode, Mark Treichel breaks down:Why presidents can “call for” caps but can’t impose them unilaterallyWhy credit card rates are high in the first placeHow a 10% cap could reduce access to credit, especially for lower-income borrowersWhy rewards programs, grace periods, and credit limits could all be at riskHow credit unions would be affected differently than large banksWhy well-intended caps can push borrowers toward much worse alternatives like payday lendingBottom line: It’s good politics, but it could be very bad policy — with consequences that hit the very people it’s supposed to help.

www.marktreichel.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-treichel/NCUA exam reports often contain more than meets the eye.Examiner findings, supplementary facts, and documents of resolution may look like routine supervisory language — but each serves a distinct purpose and sends a different signal to credit union boards and management.In this episode of With Flying Colors, Mark Treichel is joined by former NCUA senior leaders Steve Farr and Todd Miller to break down how exam reports are structured, how issues escalate, and what credit unions should be paying attention to long before enforcement actions appear.Drawing on decades of NCUA experience, the discussion explains how examiners decide where issues belong in the report, why volume matters as much as severity, and how governance and communication failures often sit at the root of repeat findings.This is an evergreen episode for any credit union executive, board member, or compliance professional who wants to better understand what NCUA is really saying — and how to respond effectively.In This Episode, We Discuss:The practical differences between examiner findings, supplementary facts, and documents of resolutionWhy a long list of “minor” findings can be a major warning signHow supplementary facts are used to signal emerging risk and specialist concernsWhat elevates an issue into a document of resolutionThe SMART framework examiners are expected to use — and where it breaks downHow unresolved issues contribute to CAMEL rating pressureWhy corporate governance increasingly appears in exam reportsThe role communication plays in preventing escalationWhat boards should ask before approving a document of resolutionWho Should Listen:Credit union board membersCEOs and executive leadership teamsCompliance, risk, and governance professionalsCredit unions preparing for an upcoming NCUA examInstitutions experiencing repeat findings or growing examiner scrutinyKey Takeaway:NCUA exam reports are not just compliance documents — they are communication tools. Understanding how examiners signal concern helps credit unions prioritize issues, respond proportionately, and avoid unnecessary escalation.About the Host:Mark Treichel is a former senior NCUA executive and the founder of Credit Union Exam Solutions. With more than three decades of regulatory experience, Mark helps credit unions understand NCUA expectations and navigate examinations with confidence.

This is a classic episode of With Flying Colors—and a rare one that steps slightly outside the credit union lane for a reason.As teamwork becomes an increasingly critical theme heading into 2026, this conversation felt worth revisiting.In this episode, Mark sits down with Joe Jacoby, an Olympic gold medalist and performance coach, to explore what high-performing teams really look like when conditions are uncertain and pressure is high.While the setting is the Olympic Games, the lessons translate directly to leadership teams, boards, and organizations navigating complexity, change, and accountability.This conversation isn’t about motivation—it’s about execution:How trust is built before it’s neededWhy great teams communicate without noiseHow different strengths actually work together under stressAnd why teamwork isn’t soft—it’s strategicIf you lead, serve on a board, or work as part of a management team, the insights here are as relevant today as when this episode first aired.In this episode, we discuss:What Olympic-level teamwork looks like in real timeWhy preparation matters more than celebrationHow unspoken communication develops inside high-trust teamsThe role of diversity of thought in performanceLessons leaders can apply long after the competition ends

www.marktreichel.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-treichel/In this quarterly roundtable episode of With Flying Colors, Mark Treichel is joined by former NCUA executives Dennis Bauer, Steve Farrar, and Todd Miller to break down the NCUA Q3 2025 Quarterly Credit Union Data Summary.The discussion highlights a key theme: the credit union system is gradually returning to a more normal operating environment after years of rate shocks, pandemic liquidity, and balance-sheet distortion.Key topics include improving net interest margins, rising non-interest expenses, and why ROA gains lag margin recovery. The panel examines growing pressure in auto and credit card portfolios, increased repossessions, and what delinquency trends suggest heading into 2026. They also explore liquidity stabilization, shifts in share mix, and renewed investment risk-taking as some credit unions bet on future rate cuts.Additional insights include CAMEL rating trends, HELOC utilization growth, differences between credit union and community bank performance, and what examiner behavior may look like amid NCUA staffing constraints.This episode is designed for credit union executives, board members, and risk leaders looking for plain-English interpretation of regulatory data—without spin or hype.

www.marktreichel.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-treichel/NCUA has launched a new Deregulation and Simplification Project, signaling a shift toward clearer, more flexible rules—without weakening safety and soundness.In this episode of With Flying Colors, Mark Treichel breaks down the four proposed regulatory changes released by NCUA and explains what they mean in practice for credit unions, boards, and exam preparation.Rather than a wholesale rewrite, this package focuses on clarity, structure, and regulatory housekeeping—especially around audits, corporate credit union governance, and cybersecurity guidance.Key topics covered:Updates to Supervisory Committee audit rules (Part 715)Technical and governance clarifications for corporate credit unionsWhy cybersecurity guidance is moving out of regulation and into Letters to Credit UnionsWhat’s not changing—despite the headlinesHow this project fits into broader NCUA budget and structural discussionsMark also shares perspective on why moving guidance out of the CFR matters—and what credit unions should (and shouldn’t) do next.More regulatory developments are coming fast, including NCUA’s upcoming board meeting and budget discussions. Stay tuned.

www.marktreichel.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-treichel/In this episode of With Flying Colors, Mark Treichel speaks with Dan Prezioso, Partner at Olden Lane, about the demographic shift reshaping credit unions and why deposit competition is entering a new era.Dan shares data and insights from multiple national surveys, macro trends, and firsthand M&A activity, including:Why strategic mergers are already breaking NCUA approval records in 2025The shrinking role of baby boomers as depositors, borrowers, and primary financial institution usersWhy Gen Z and millennials are saving more — but choosing Robinhood, Coinbase, and SoFi over traditional credit unionsThe alarming statistic that 37% of Gen Z credit union members are likely to switch institutions in the next 12 months“Real” deposit growth vs. nominal growth, and why rising OPEX may force additional consolidationThe engagement deficit: younger members don’t think of credit unions as their everyday financial partnerWhat credit unions can do right now to stay relevant in the next decadeDan also highlights examples of institutions that are getting it right — from fractional real estate investing to budgeting tools and crypto-enabled debit cards — and explains what boards should be asking their CEOs in 2026 strategic planning.📩 Connect with Dan: dprezioso@oldenlane.com 🔗 Olden Lane: info@oldenlane.com🎧 Listen now and subscribe for future episodes of With Flying Colors.

www.marktreichel.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-treichel/Episode SummaryIn this archive episode of With Flying Colors, Mark sits down with Todd Miller — longtime NCUA expert, former Director of Special Actions, and member of the CU Exam Solutions team — to break down one of the most misunderstood and under-optimized tools in credit union governance: the board package.Boards get in trouble not because they don’t care, Todd explains, but because they are often misinformed, overwhelmed, or kept in the dark. A well-designed board package solves that — if it’s built with the right mix of clarity, consistency, and candor.Todd explains:What high-performing board packages includeWhy “size and complexity” shape reporting expectationsThe danger of data dumps, inconsistent formatting, and detail overloadHow to pair dashboards with strong qualitative narrativesThe one question every executive should answer in their reportsWhy peer comparisons matterHow risk appetite, strategic plans, and deviation explanations must tie togetherReal-world stories from troubled and well-run credit unionsHow to avoid examiner criticism by aligning reporting with actual riskThis episode is full of practical actions your board and leadership team can apply immediately.Key Themes & Takeaways1. Great Board Packages Balance Qualitative + Quantitative ReportingTodd outlines a simple principle: Board reports should demonstrate management’s compliance with the business plan, board policies, and the credit union’s risk appetite. transcript Board Packages Todd …Boards need both data and narrative to understand where the credit union is, how it got there, and where it’s going.2. Consistency Builds Board TrustFrom formatting to color-coding to dashboards, consistency helps directors quickly understand risk without getting bogged down.Inconsistent layouts or disorganized reporting create confusion and can lead to micromanagement or oversight failures.3. Avoid the “Data Dump” TrapTodd highlights that many troubled credit unions had mountains of data… but no clarity. Board packets that keep expanding over time—without periodic pruning—bury critical insights.Annual reviews of what stays, what goes, and how information is summarized are essential.4. Dashboards Are Critical — But Must Be Thoughtfully BuiltDashboards should show:Where the CU has beenWhere it is nowWhere it’s trending nextThey must also be paired with narrative analysis to flag:VariancesDeviations from strategic/annual plansNew risksNew opportunities5. The Biggest Blind Spot: Credit Risk ReportingCredit risk is the No. 1 cause of failures. Todd explains how to reduce hundreds of pages into 2–3 meaningful pages with:Risk migration visualsLTV + credit score overlaysPortfolio trendsBusiness loan concentration & large-borrower exposure6. Committees Create Risk — and Reporting ObligationsALCO, lending, IT, risk committees… Boards need visibility but not minutiae.Todd walks through how well-run credit unions:Summarize committee outputElevate red flagsKeep the board focused on strategy, not operations7. Real-World Stories—The Good, The Bad, The UglyTodd shares examples of:39 unprofitable branches hidden in an overly detailed packetBoards blindsided by marijuana banking risk and resulting finesA $4 million depositor walking out because the board lacked contextThese stories underscore the need for transparency, context, and prioritization.Why This MattersA strong board package:Improves governanceEnhances regulator confidencePrevents surprisesSupports faster, cleaner examsKeeps boards strategicHelps management demonstrate competence and controlThis episode is a must-listen for CEOs, CFOs, lending executives, and directors looking to elevate their governance culture.

www.marktreichel.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-treichel/Overview In this episode, we break down the fundamentals of risk management for credit unions — what it really means, why it matters at every asset size, and how boards and executives can build a resilient framework that supports safe, sustainable growth. blog risk appetiteWhat We CoverThe Three Pillars of Risk ManagementRisk Culture — how tone from the top determines effectiveness.Risk Appetite — defining how much risk is acceptable before strategy becomes unsafe.Risk Management System — the controls, processes, and oversight that put culture and appetite into action. blog risk appetiteWhy Size Matters — and Doesn’tPractical guidance for smaller credit unions: clear limits, strong oversight, and effective supervisory committees.What larger credit unions need: formal risk appetite statements, risk departments, and comprehensive reporting frameworks. blog risk appetiteCommon PitfallsThe “capital trap”—why even strong net worth can’t compensate for unmanaged concentration risk (e.g., taxi medallion credit unions).Siloed risk decisions.Hoping limit breaches “self-correct.” blog risk appetiteBest Practices for a Strong FrameworkAlign appetite with capital and strategy.Use clear metrics to monitor risk.Establish formal limit-breach processes.Encourage staff to raise risk concerns without hesitation.Maintain strong documentation and communication. blog risk appetiteKey Takeaway Risk management isn’t about eliminating risk — it’s about managing it in a way that protects members while enabling growth. A clear culture, aligned risk appetite, and well-designed system create the foundation for long-term success. 

www.marktreichel.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-treichel/This week on With Flying Colors, I’m joined by three longtime colleagues from my days at NCUA — John McKechnie, Alonzo Swann, and Geoff Bacino — for a lively roundtable on where the agency stands today, what’s working, and what’s at risk.Together, we revisit our shared time inside NCUA and discuss how leadership, budgets, and supervision are evolving in 2025 and beyond. From one-member boards and budget cuts to liquidity lifelines and affordable housing, this episode brings together decades of experience and unfiltered perspective.In this episode, we discuss:What it means for NCUA to operate with only one sitting board memberThe implications of budget reductions and staff shortages on examinationsHow Federal Home Loan Banks have become vital liquidity partners for credit unionsWhy onsite contact and examiner familiarity still matterThe Supreme Court and DOJ developments shaping NCUA’s legal authorityThe value of compromise and balanced governance inside NCUAThe political landscape heading into the next election cycle — and what it may mean for credit unionsYou’ll hear candid insights, historical context, and even a few friendly football rivalries — the kind of inside conversation that only veterans of the agency can have.🎙️ GuestsJohn McKechnie – Former NCUA Director of Public and Congressional Affairs; consultant to the credit union and housing industriesAlonzo Swann – Former NCUA Regional Director; Credit Union Strategist at the Federal Home Loan Bank of AtlantaGeoff Bacino – Former NCUA Board Member; former Federal Housing Finance Board Member; association executive and industry advocate🔗 Connect & Learn MoreVisit MarkTreichel.com/podcast for past episodes, transcripts, and consulting resources.Follow Mark on LinkedIn for weekly updates: linkedin.com/in/marktreichelSponsored by Credit Union Exam Solutions — helping credit unions save time and money when working with NCUA.

This is a special Archive Thursday episode of With Flying Colors. In this conversation with Steve Farrar and Todd Miller, we explore what it really means when a credit union is downgraded to a CAMEL Code 4.We discuss the implications for NCUA supervision, administrative actions, and how examiners begin building a formal record. You’ll learn about the added burden of frequent exams, the role of letters of understanding and agreements, and how Code 4 status impacts liquidity options, board responsibilities, and long-term viability.Packed with hard-earned insights from decades inside NCUA, this archive episode helps credit unions understand both the risks and the pathways to recovery when facing a Code 4 downgrade