The latest from Robert McGarvey

Jun 28, 2021 - by Robert McGarvey, McGarvey's Words

When credit unions buy banks: The real story

Loud, bold headlines splashed across the banking press a few weeks ago:  “Michigan credit union aims to buy Florida bank in year’s 5th such tie-up” reads one. The sky ...

Mar 2, 2021 - by Robert McGarvey, McGarvey's Words

Quō vādis, credit unions?

In a wide ranging, 90 minute interview, retired State Employees’ Credit Union CEO Jim Blaine offered up a provocative look at possible tomorrows for the credit union movement. The throughline ...

Dec 21, 2020 - by Robert McGarvey, McGarvey's Words

The 2021 credit union branch: To be or not to be

Call this the credit union Hamlet moment: To be or not to be, that is the 2021 question around the future of branches. Suddenly, amid the pandemic, with many branches ...

Sep 15, 2020 - by Robert McGarvey, McGarvey's Words

Go digital or go home: The rise of digital banking at Wildfire Credit Union

“What could we do to make our members’ lives better?” That question, said Mark Shuiling, vice president of technology at $900 million Wildfire Credit Union in Saginaw, MI, is what ...

Jun 16, 2020 - by Robert McGarvey, McGarvey's Words

Are you ready for the brave new world of post-pandemic tech?

The realization is growing: at credit unions there is no “return to normal.” Forevermore how business is done will be different. And, a lot more technology focused. That is the ...

Mar 9, 2020 - by Robert McGarvey, McGarvey's Words

Merger Madness: Are credit union – bank mergers just plain wrong?

When a credit union buys a bank, has something terribly wrong happened?  Listen to bankers and you will think the answer is a loud yes. Even some credit union veterans ...

Feb 25, 2020 - by Robert McGarvey, McGarvey's Words

Talking at cross purposes: Where credit union cybersecurity goes awry

For years I have pondered a puzzle: why do financial institutions spend so much on cybersecurity and employ wonderfully smart and talented people – but the results are not as good ...

Dec 20, 2019 - by Robert McGarvey, McGarvey's Words

Immobile mobile banking: Stuck in the mud

How many of your members do most of their banking via a mobile app? How many should? Milestones to remember before answering: iPhone introduced June 2007 SMS banking via phone ...