Loans And LPs: Turning Credit Unions Into Sold-Out Shows

By Lee Silber

The opening keynote of the 2013 CUNA Consumer & Residential Mortgage Lending School will be delivered by best-selling author and popular solutions presenter, Lee Silber. His presentation, titled Credit Union Rock Stars: Lending a Hand, will discuss the life and business lessons to be learned from rock stars and their careers.

Lee was kind enough to sit down with us and answer a few of the questions regarding his unconventional plans for this conference’s opening session.

You’ll be presenting on the lifestyle of rock stars and applying that lifestyle to credit union lending practices. Can you fill us in on the connection there?

You’d be surprised what you can learn from rock stars. Really. Okay, there is the “what NOT to do stuff” (bad habits) to not emulate, but there are some valuable lessons we can use in our daily lives to be better at what we do at home and on the job. Let me give you one example off the top of my head. Credit unions would not exist without their members, which are a lot like fans of a band. Those of us who have been members of a credit union for a long time (I’ve been a member since 1985) are passionate, devoted, and excited to be a part of something special. Banks are huge (like a super group) and almost everyone has heard of them, but credit unions are more like that band that is popular, but a little less mainstream–which is cool because not everyone is into them and that makes us feel a little smarter for being a fan. Maybe we can connect a little better because the band isn’t as popular and answers their own fan mail or plays smaller venues so we can get up close and personal. Our small, but awesome band (Read: credit union) hasn’t sold out, is in it for the long haul, and does it right–and does right by us. We’re loyal and love them for what they do . . . and do for us. See, the analogy works. We become “Dead Heads” (Grateful Dead followers) or “Parrot Heads” (fans of Jimmy Buffett) because we identify with what these acts stand for. Those of us who have a special place in our hearts for credit unions are “Member Heads” for a good reason; the people at our branch are like rocks stars to us when we make an important financial transaction.

In your opinion, what is the most valuable mindset to embrace when approaching a conference designed to open up new perspectives for attendees, like this year’s school?

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