Credit Union Business Lending: Lessons, Risks, and Opportunities with Mark Ritter

www.marktreichel.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-treichel/

Episode Summary
In this episode of With Flying Colors, I sit down with Mark Ritter, CEO of Member Business Financial Services (MBFS) and host of Credit Union Conversations. Mark brings decades of experience in credit union business lending, having built MBFS from a three-person startup into a nationwide CUSO serving over 60 employees and credit unions across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

We dive into:

• The evolution of member business lending—from the early “Lewis and Clark” days to today’s robust systems and strategies.
• The current lending environment: strong demand, liquidity challenges, and why stable employment remains the backbone of a healthy business lending program.
• The opportunities ahead, including refinancing booms as interest rates decline and five-year resets approach in 2026–27.
• The Federal Credit Union Act’s unintended consequences and how the 12.25% cap on MBLs reshaped the industry.
• Shifting NCUA exam culture—from transactional reviews to portfolio management—and what credit unions must do to stay ahead.
• Why relationships and annual portfolio reviews matter more than ever in building safe, sound, and mission-driven lending programs.

Mark also shares his perspective on where credit unions should focus their energy: serving small businesses, veterans, and underserved communities, while avoiding mission drift into mega real estate deals that don’t align with cooperative values.

Whether you’re a CEO, examiner, or just curious about the future of credit union business lending, this episode delivers insight, history, and strategy from one of the industry’s most trusted voices.

Resources & Links

• Learn more about MBFS: mbfs.org

• Listen to Mark Ritter’s podcast Credit Union Conversations on all major platforms.
• Connect with Mark Ritter on LinkedIn.