Credit Union Exam Solutions Presents With Flying Colors
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Tips for Credit Unions Success on the NCUA Examination. Brought to you by Mark Treichel's Credit Union Exam Solutions.
Episodes
- Emergency Podcast - NCUA Conserves Jackson Area FCU: Reading Between the Call Report Lines
Mark Treichel analyzes the NCUA’s conservatorship of Jackson Area FCU, discussing the credit union’s financial data and highlighting five lessons for credit union boards regarding financial health and NCUA examinations.
- WFC Classic ALCO Part 2 & In Practice: Essential Reports Analysis and Risk Management
This episode covers ALCO Part 2, focusing on essential reports analysis and risk management in practice.
- A New Way to Invest: How the ALM First Loan Fund Works
Mark Treichel discusses the new ALM First Loan Fund with Travis Goodman and Mark Sun. They cover the fund's structure, its institutional discipline, eligibility requirements, pilot timeline, and the role of credit union deposits as a fundi…
- WFC Classic: • ALCO Governance Essentials: Building an Effective Committee Structure
This episode focuses on ALCO governance, covering the essentials of building an effective committee structure and practical aspects of reporting, analysis, and risk management.
- Inside the NCUA Annual Report — A Strong System with Quiet Warning Signs with Mike Macchiarola
Mike Macchiarola examines the latest NCUA Annual Report, detailing the credit union system's strength alongside cautious undertones. The discussion covers consolidation trends, rising member acquisition costs, and shifts in regulatory phil…
- WFC Classic: Complaints and Regional Appeals of Examination Issues
This WFC Classic episode discusses the process of appealing examination issues to the NCUA. It is presented by Credit Union Exam Solutions.
- Beyond the One-Year Budget: What Strong Credit Unions Are Doing Differently with Rob Johnson of CMyers
Rob Johnson joins Mark Treichel to discuss strategic planning and capital strength in credit unions. They cover multi-year scenario planning, the concept of a 'fortress balance sheet,' and the importance of executive attention, using analo…
- NCUA’s Deregulation Wave Hits Loan Participation: What the Change Means for Your Credit Union
Mark Treichel discusses the NCUA's proposed deregulation of loan participation rules, replacing fixed net worth caps with a principles-based approach. He explains how existing concentration risk guidance and safety and soundness authoritie…
- Inside a Code 4: What NCUA Doesn't Tell You
Former NCUA employees Steve Farrar and Todd Miller discuss the implications of a Code 4 rating for credit unions. They explain the NCUA's process, examiner frequency, and how the rating affects relationships with lenders and other financia…
- Fact-Checking the ABA: What the Data Actually Shows on Credit Union Business Lending
Mark Treichel debunks factual inaccuracies in an ABA podcast concerning credit union commercial lending. Drawing on extensive experience, he addresses eight specific claims, providing data and context on topics like the MBL cap, low-income…
- 2025 CAMEL Trends: What the Full-Year Data Actually Tells You
Mark Treichel analyzes 2025 CAMEL code data, examining industry-wide and asset-tier specific trends. He discusses the resolution of the "Harper Alarm," improvements in troubled institution counts, and the unique challenges faced by mid-siz…
- Merger Mania: What Thirty Quarters of NCUA Data Reveal About Credit Union Consolidation
This episode analyzes 30 quarters of NCUA data on credit union mergers, revealing a significant increase in the average size of merging institutions and discussing trends in merger volume, types, and strategic acquirer profiles. It also ex…
- The Two Documents That Shape Your NCUA Examination
This episode breaks down the Examiner's Guide and National Supervision Policy Manual (NSPM), the two key documents guiding NCUA credit union examinations. It explores their history, the standardization of procedures, and highlights essenti…
- Margin, Membership, and Mounting Risk: Unpacking Q4 2025 with Farrar, Miller and Bauer
Steve Farrar, Todd Miller, and Dennis Bauer joined Mark Treichel to review Q4 2025 NCUA call report data. They analyzed the CAMEL framework, noting capital ratios, extended investment maturities, rising loan delinquency, particularly in no…
- From Guidelines to Guardrails: Getting Credit Union Policies Right
This episode features Mark Treichel and Todd Miller discussing effective credit union policies. They cover why policies matter for training, culture, and accountability, outlining key principles and common elements for policy management, i…
- Rate Caps, Interchange, and the Banking Lobby: What Credit Unions Are Up Against with Jason Stverak
This episode features Jason Stverak, Chief Advocacy Officer at the Defense Credit Union Council, discussing policy threats to credit unions. Topics include the impact of government shutdowns, proposed interest rate caps, interchange regula…
- Don’t Create a Vacuum: Crisis Communication for Credit Unions with John McKechnie
This episode features Mark Treichel and John McKechnie discussing crisis communication for credit unions. They cover avoiding silence, the importance of speed and truth, stakeholder identification, crisis plans, and real-world examples.
- My Takeaways from Monday at GAC: Structure, Supervision, and Stablecoins
Mark Treichel discusses his takeaways from GAC 2024, focusing on credit union advocacy and leadership principles. He also covers Chairman Hauptman's insights on supervision, NCUA staffing, and the role of stablecoins in financial infrastru…
- LUAs Explained: From Informal Actions to Formal Commitments
This episode explains NCUA Letters of Understanding and Agreement (LUAs), NCUA's formal enforcement tool requiring board commitment. Experts Steve Farrar and Todd Miller, with extensive NCUA experience, discuss LUA triggers, board accounta…
- It's Never as Bad as You Think: Suicide, Fraud, and the Stories I've Never Told
Mark shares two previously untold stories about individuals who died by suicide after embezzling funds from credit unions. He offers three core messages to credit union professionals: it is never as bad as you think, there is always a way…
- Your Right to Appeal: Navigating NCUA's Formal Process
Mark Treichel discusses the NCUA
- NCUA’s Stablecoin Proposal: What Credit Unions Need to Know Now
This episode details the NCUA’s proposed rule for stablecoin issuance under the GENIUS Act, outlining the subsidiary-only licensing model, CUSO implications, and key strategic considerations for credit unions interested in digital assets.
- Why Concentration Risk Still Trips Up Credit Unions
Former NCUA leaders Steve Farr and Todd Miller discuss the enduring challenge of concentration risk for credit unions, emphasizing that strong governance and risk culture are crucial, as capital alone cannot offset poor diversification. Th…
- NCUA in Transition: What Hauptman’s Move Means with Bacino, Swann & McKechnie
Former NCUA leaders Geoff Bacino, Alonzo Swann, and John McKechnie join Mark Treichel to discuss the impact of Chairman Kyle Hauptman’s move to the PCAOB on the NCUA. They analyze leadership continuity, pending lawsuits, board vacancies, s…
- Emergency Pod: NCUA Board Chair Kyle Hauptman Leaving for PCAOB?
NCUA Chairman Kyle Hauptman has been appointed to the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB). He stated he will remain as NCUA Chairman until President Trump appoints and the Senate confirms his successor.
- What Credit Unions Should Really Prepare for After NCUA’s 2026 Priority Letter
Former NCUA leaders Todd Miller and Steve Farrar join Mark Treichel to analyze the NCUA's 2026 Supervisory Priorities Letter. They discuss potential impacts of NCUA staffing reductions on exam consistency, risk-based supervision, and credi…
- Breaking: NCUA Moves to Remove a Major Barrier to Board Service
NCUA has proposed a new rule allowing federal credit unions to reimburse or pay for dependent care costs incurred by volunteer board members during official duties. This change aims to reduce barriers to board service, addressing rising ca…
- Quick Take on NCUA's Exam Plans for 2026
Mark Treichel previews the NCUA's 2026 Supervisory Priorities Letter, highlighting examiner focus areas including lending, liquidity, earnings, payment systems, fraud, and BSA/AML. The episode discusses the impact of NCUA leadership instab…
- $2.5 Billion, Egos, and Why Big Numbers Need Context
This episode discusses the $2.5 billion Fed building renovation, analyzing why large government projects exceed budgets, the role of political egos, and the importance of providing financial context for such large sums.
- Trump Demands 10% Credit Card Rates: Can He Do This?
Mark Treichel examines President Trump's proposal to cap credit card interest rates at 10%, explaining why presidents cannot unilaterally impose such caps and exploring the potential negative consequences for credit access, rewards program…
- Understanding Examiner Findings, Supplementary Facts, and DORs
This episode explains the structure of NCUA exam reports, focusing on examiner findings, supplementary facts, and documents of resolution (DORs). Hosts Mark Treichel, Steve Farr, and Todd Miller discuss how examiners signal risk, the impor…
- Teamwork Under Pressure: Lessons from an Olympic Gold Medalist
This episode revisits lessons on high-performing teams from Olympic gold medalist Joe Jacoby. It covers building trust, effective communication, leveraging diverse strengths under stress, and the strategic nature of teamwork, applicable to…
- Credit Unions in Q3 2025: Stability Returns, Pressures Remain
Former NCUA executives and Mark Treichel discuss the NCUA Q3 2025 Credit Union Data Summary, noting a return to a normal operating environment. Topics include financial performance, portfolio risks, liquidity, and regulatory trends.
- NCUA Regulation Updates: Audits, Cyber Guidance, and Corporate Rules
Mark Treichel explains the NCUA's Deregulation and Simplification Project, detailing proposed changes to audit rules, corporate credit union governance, and cybersecurity guidance. The episode clarifies the impact of these updates on credi…
- Demographics, Deposits & the Consolidation Wave — With Dan Prezioso of Olden Lane
Mark Treichel interviews Dan Prezioso of Olden Lane about demographic shifts, deposit competition, and consolidation in credit unions. They cover NCUA approval records for mergers, the changing role of baby boomers, and why Gen Z and mille…
- Monthly Board Meeting Packages with Todd Miller
This episode features Todd Miller discussing the importance of effective board meeting packages for credit unions. Key takeaways include balancing qualitative and quantitative reporting, maintaining consistency, avoiding data dumps, and th…
- Understanding Risk Management: Culture, Appetite & Action
This episode covers the fundamentals of risk management for credit unions, breaking down risk culture, risk appetite, and risk management systems. It offers practical guidance for credit unions of all sizes and highlights common pitfalls a…
- Geoff Bacino - John McKechnie & Alonzo Swann - an EX- NCUA Roundtable
Former NCUA colleagues John McKechnie, Alonzo Swann, and Geoff Bacino held a roundtable discussion on the current state of the NCUA, including leadership, budget constraints, and supervisory practices. They shared insights on evolving agen…
- Facing the Challenges of a CAMEL Code 4
This episode discusses what a CAMEL Code 4 downgrade means for credit unions, covering NCUA supervision, administrative actions, and the impact on board responsibilities and long-term viability.
- Succession Planning: From Policy to Practice with David Reed
Mark Treichel interviews David Reed about the NCUA's new succession planning rule, emphasizing the need for practical implementation beyond policy. The discussion covers challenges for credit unions, particularly concerning board and volun…
- The Art of Commercial Lending and the Role of Credit Culture
Host Mark Treichel and guest Vin Vitton discuss the definition and importance of credit culture in credit unions, how it’s shaped by board values and management, and its role in successful lending practices. The episode covers aligning wit…
- Why Raising Deposit Insurance Could Hurt Credit Unions
Host Mark Treichel discusses a Senate proposal to increase FDIC deposit insurance from $250,000 to $10 million. He explains why this could harm credit unions by draining the NCUSIF, potentially causing them to lose business accounts, and w…
- Corporate Governance in Credit Unions: What Matters Most to NCUA
In this episode of With Flying Colors, Mark discusses corporate governance in credit unions with former NCUA colleagues Todd Miller and Steve Farrar. The conversation focuses on board oversight, ethics, regulatory frameworks, and how gover…
- Elizabeth Eurgubian: Behind the Curtain at NCUA’s Communications Office
Elizabeth Eurgubian shares insights into her career, the NCUA Office of External Affairs and Communications, and the dynamics of Washington advocacy, including preparing leaders for testimony and influencing regulation.
- Navigating NCUA’s Code 3 Challenges with Todd Miller and Steve Farrar
Todd Miller and Steve Farrar discuss the implications of a credit union being downgraded to a CAMEL Code 3. They examine NCUA oversight, the role of Documents of Resolution and regional director letters, and the steps management must take…
- Trump, Reputation Risk, and NCUA’s New Rule
This solo episode features Mark Treichel explaining the NCUA’s proposed rule to remove reputation risk from supervision, its codification, and the ban on political motivations for examiners. The discussion covers connections to President T…
- What It Means When NCUA Requires a CU to Conduct an Organizational Review
This archive episode explains NCUA-directed organizational reviews, emphasizing their link to serious management or governance weaknesses. It details CAMELS codes, compares NCUA and FDIC approaches, discusses the role of consultants, and o…
- Join Us at Sea: The 2026 CUES Cruise Awaits
Host Mark Treichel discusses the 2026 CUES Florida Council Cruise with Scott Gladden and Kenny Ray Mitchell. The event combines professional development and networking for credit union leaders aboard Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas…
- Why Does NCUA Ask to Meet with Your Board without CU Staff Present?
Former NCUA leaders Steve Farrar and Todd Miller explain why the NCUA might request meetings with a credit union
- What NCUA’s 23% Staff Cuts Really Mean for Credit Unions
This episode analyzes the NCUA's 2026-2027 budget, detailing a 23% staff cut and its implications for credit union supervision. It covers potential exam disruptions, technology investments, and the short-term relief versus long-term risks…