Blog & Resources
When Did “OK” Become the Objective?
Is it the adage of the tortoise (slow and steady wins the race) or is it that mediocrity has become the acceptable norm when it comes to our credit unions? Self-rationalization can be a powerful influencer. Over the years,...
What is this thing called member value?
The notion of member value is a frequent discussion topic as we meet with credit union CEOs, boards and senior management teams. Some credit unions, generally including those that most enthusiastically support the credit...
Enterprise Risk Management and Capital Budgeting
In our last article in this series, we discussed relative differences in risk appetite among builders and bankers. (You will recall that by builders, we mean those leaders who can “build a hot fire from a matchstick,” while...
Builders, bankers and risk aversion
In this, our last installment in a series of articles on builders and bankers, we’ll take a look at the relative attitudes toward risk of each group (and perhaps debunk some misconceptions in the process). You may recall...
Builders, bankers and risk
Our last article, titled “Builders and Bankers,” highlighted the difference in leadership style between builders and bankers, using the analogy of building a hot fire in a wood stove vs. banking the coals to keep the heat...
Builders and bankers
Are you a builder, or a banker? No, we’re not talking about construction here. Nor would I label a credit union person with “the b-word.” About five years ago, I heard an excellent presentation on leadership by T.D. Jakes....
What’s behind your walls?
Do you ever stop to consider what’s behind your walls? No, I’m not talking about spiders, bugs or ghosts… I’m talking about all of the “stuff” that has to work in order for your house to function well. I don’t think about...
Emerging risks: The “Grexit”
Among the emerging risks that The Rochdale Group monitors are geopolitical threats. These include things like last year’s worries over Russia’s annexation of the Crimea and its forays into Ukraine; the potential threat of a...
2015: The year of the consumer
After several years of intently watching the Fed for clues as to the economy, the markets and interest rates, 2015 will be the year that we can finally take our eyes off the Fed, and focus on the consumer. Think this year...