While many credit unions look to expand their field of membership or enter new markets, Merck Employees' FCU is bucking the trend—and reaping the rewards.

In this episode the $1.8 billion credit union's president and CEO, Paul Gentile, discusses the unique relationship the credit union maintains with one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies, and how doubling-down on Merck employees continues to deliver long-term growth.

Key Takeaways

00.48: Paul's career journey from publisher of the Credit Union Times, to leading a League, and finally running a credit union.

03.06: Why fraud is the number one issue facing credit unions in 2026.

06.29: How Merck has maintained strong relationships with its SEG and continues to grow and thrive within its closed field of membership.

10.00: Ways Paul and the Merck leadership team have positioned student lending as a market differentiator.

14.21: An overview of Merck's growth strategy, and how it's maintaining relevance with a SEG membership.

20.21: Paul shares his vision for credit unions in the next decade, particularly as it relates to Stablecoin and broader crypto technology.

Resources Mentioned:

www.merckcu.com

www.cutimes.com

In the second part of our conversation with Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC) president and CEO, Tony Hernandez, we explore what the future holds for credit unions in an ecosystem dominated by crypto, governed by unpredictable legislators, and disrupted by increasingly savvy innovators.

Highlights:

‎00.30: Tony discusses the Genius Act, Stablecoin, and his concerns that modern financial innovations could simply bypass the credit union system.

03.36: The liquidity risks presented by the $84T generational wealth transfer if it happens within crypto or more modernized financial systems that credit unions haven't yet adopted.

05.33: Lessons learned from the latest (and longest) government shutdown, and how credit unions and any federally-employed members should prepare for the next one.

13.19: How DCUC is working to support smaller credit unions and ensure their survival, growth, and integration into the legislative conversation.

15.04: What the future holds for the credit union system and where DCUC can play a role in shaping it.

Links:

https://www.dcuc.org/

Two years ago, CUNA and NAFCU—the credit union system's two primary trade associations—merged to form America's Credit Unions. But was that the right move? In this episode, the Defense Credit Union Council's (DCUC) president and CEO, Tony Hernandez, explains why he's expanding the organization's reach and remit to provide credit unions with more support, different services, and a second voice on Capitol Hill.

Highlights:

01.00: Tony Hernandez discusses his distinguished Air Force career and how it led him to the Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC) ... and an awkward conversation with his wife.

07.35: An overview of how DCUC has expanded its remit to be a broader, more representative voice for the credit union system as a whole.

15.33: The argument for having greater representation, and how the banking industry has proved that it works.

18.43: How DCUC collaborates with America's Credit Unions on certain advocacy efforts, but how and why it's important it remains its own authority, too.

20.00: Why DCUC has offered to foot the bill for a CFPB Credit Union Advisory Council.

Links:

https://www.dcuc.org/