The NCOFCU Credit Union Academy Podcast

AutoLink has rebranded its product family under a single parent company, Centergy Solutions, combining AutoLink, HomeLink, and CalcuLink into a unified, more connected brand to streamline the digital lending and buying experience for credit unions and their members.

Under Centergy Solutions: AutoLink continues to power digital auto lending and member engagement; HomeLink delivers a guided, modern homebuying experience; and CalcuLink provides intuitive calculators for confident, data-driven financial decisions.

Existing clients will see no changes to service, pricing, or product access. Learn more at https://www.centergysolutions.com/. Contact: Chris@Centergysolutions. 

President Trump signed a sweeping tax-and-spending package that makes his 2017 tax cuts permanent and adds new tax breaks — including a larger SALT deduction, a senior "bonus" offset to Social Security taxes, and relief for tip income, overtime pay and auto loans.

At the same time, the bill enacts deep spending cuts to programs such as Medicaid and SNAP, ends certain clean-energy tax credits, and overhauls federal student loans. Analysts warn higher earners may benefit while low-income households could face harm.

This episode breaks down the bill’s key provisions, who stands to gain or lose, and...

This episode breaks down what makes a doer: clarity of purpose, resilience, and an action-oriented mindset. Host Grant Sheehan explains how success comes from executing ideas, not just planning them.

Practical strategies covered include SMART goals, the Eisenhower matrix, time blocking, accountability, the two-minute rule, breaking big projects into tasks, and creating a focused workspace. Examples from Tim Ferriss and Maria Forleo illustrate how consistent action creates progress.

Be sure to visit NCOFCU's "First Responders Credit Unions Academy" for your continued credit union education and certification in meeting N C U A’s requirements. 

In this podcast, we’re tackling a compelling topic: the evolution of strategic planning in an increasingly fast-paced world.

Be sure to visit NCOFCU's "First Responders Credit Unions Academy" for your continued credit union education and certification in meeting N C U A’s requirements. 

Grant Sheehan explores how rapid technological and social changes—from AI and smart devices to evolving digital communities—are reshaping daily life and credit union leadership.

He stresses the importance of adaptability, embracing new technologies and perspectives, and challenges listeners to stay curious, apply these shifts to their work, and pursue continued education at NCOFCU's First Responder Credit Union Academy.

Be sure to visit NCOFCU's "First Responders Credit Unions Academy" for your continued credit union education and certification in meeting N C U A’s requirements. 

Hi, I'm Grant Sheehan, CEO of the National Council of Firefighter Credit Unions. Join the First Responder Credit Union Academy podcast for practical guidance, expert interviews, and leadership tips tailored to credit unions serving first responders.

Each episode covers management strategies, member engagement, financial literacy, and community-building to help boards, staff, and volunteers strengthen their credit unions and support those on the front lines.

Be sure to visit NCOFCU's "First Responders Credit Unions Academy" for your continued credit union education and certification in meeting N C U A’s requirements. 

As we previously discussed the importance of succession planning, today we’ll uncover the pivotal role of the board of directors in developing a CEO succession plan.

Be sure to visit NCOFCU's "First Responders Credit Unions Academy" for your continued credit union education and certification in meeting N C U A’s requirements. 

Today, we’ll uncover the pivotal role of the board of directors, the introduction of an Associate Directors position, and how we can integrate the Supervisory Committee into our succession planning.

Be sure to visit NCOFCU's "First Responders Credit Unions Academy" for your continued credit union education and certification in meeting N C U A’s requirements. 

Today, we’re diving into a crucial topic that often flies under the radar: the importance of succession planning for the Board of Directors and the CEO within credit unions.

Be sure to visit NCOFCU's "First Responders Credit Unions Academy" for your continued credit union education and certification in meeting N C U A’s requirements. 

Host Grant Sheehan, CEO, breaks down the debate over who should develop a credit union's salary matrix: the volunteer Board of Directors or the CEO operating within a board-set budget.

The episode explains the roles of governance and execution—how boards set strategy and budgets while CEOs apply market data and operational insight to craft equitable compensation structures—and highlights the importance of collaboration, regular reporting, and fiduciary oversight.

Listeners will learn practical considerations for building a fair salary framework, ethical responsibilities for transparency, and best practices for board–CEO communication.

Be sure to vis...

In this episode host Grant Sheehan explores the challenges when blue-collar supervisors or board members oversee white-collar staff, focusing on salary, benefits, communication, and fairness. He discusses differing perspectives, the importance of data-driven salary matrices, open communication, education on roles, representation on compensation committees, and aligning pay with organizational goals.

Listeners will gain practical considerations for fostering mutual respect, creating transparent compensation policies, and using market data to make equitable decisions that support recruitment, retention, and overall credit union success.

Be sure to visit NCOFCU's "First Responders Credit Unions Academy" for your continued credit union...

Grant Sheehan, CEO of ncofcu.org, thanks attendees of the National Council of Firefighter Credit Unions' Key West conference and recaps the event's inspiring sessions, networking, and leadership discussions.

The episode announces the next conference in Tucson, Arizona (Sept 29–Oct 2), and invites listeners to join the continued efforts to strengthen first responder credit unions.

Be sure to visit NCOFCU's "First Responders Credit Unions Academy" for your continued credit union education.

Grant Sheehan, CEO of ncofcu.org, thanks attendees of the National Council of Firefighter Credit Unions' Key West conference and recaps the event's inspiring sessions, networking, and leadership discussions.

The episode announces the next conference in Tucson, Arizona (Sept 29–Oct 2), and invites listeners to join the continued efforts to strengthen first responder credit unions.

In this episode, Grant Sheehan, CEO of NOFCU, explains the principles of self-governance for credit union boards and discusses why it is crucial for stability, accountability, and member trust.

He outlines key practices, including clear roles and responsibilities, governance policies, regular self-assessments, committee structure, ongoing education, and member engagement, plus practical steps to implement a stronger governance framework.

https://www.ncofcu.org/first-responder-credit-union-academy 

What It Truly Means to Serve on a Credit Union Board

Whether you’re a seasoned director, considering running for a board position, or simply curious about how boards operate, this episode is for you.

How Stablecoins Are Revolutionizing Banking for First Responders"

In a world of finance, come take a stand,
Join a credit union, it's all so grand.
Member-owned and thriving, profits shared with you,
Lower fees and loan rates, we’re in this together, too!

Oh, credit union life, where we grow and save,
With personalized service, we’re the ones who pave,
A path of financial health, in our community's embrace,
Together we rise, in this welcoming space!

"AI Unlocked," the podcast where we will explore the impact of artificial intelligence on the credit union community and our everyday lives.

Welcome to the National Council of Firefighter Credit Unions podcast, hosted by Grant Sheehan. This episode explores the transformative impact of new legislation on the crypto industry and credit unions. Discover the staggering rise in cryptocurrency ownership among credit union members and the advent of stablecoins, which promise stable, predictable transactions.

Learn about the challenges and opportunities stablecoins present for credit unions, including the potential decline in traditional banking services and the intriguing possibility of credit unions issuing their own digital currencies. The podcast highlights how credit unions can lead financial innovation by embracing cryptocurrency, educating members...

Join Grant Sheehan, CEO of the National Council of Firefighter Credit Unions, as he hosts Murray Halperin, President & Founder of CU First Responders Finance (CUFR), in a compelling discussion. Discover how CUFR is revolutionizing the credit union landscape by introducing innovative financial products and services, including a groundbreaking partnership with Allstate for a comprehensive turnkey health insurance marketplace.

Discover how this partnership enables credit unions to expand their services, offering essential health insurance options to their members amid an increasingly complex healthcare landscape. Halperin delves into the strategic importance of this initiative, offering a comprehensive toolkit for...

National Council of Firefighter Credit Unions Inc (NCOFCU)

305.783.3544 | ceo@ncofcu.org | www.ncofcu.org

In this episode, we explore an innovative approach to leadership in the credit union industry: sharing a CEO between two credit unions. As smaller credit unions face financial and operational challenges, this model offers a practical solution to maintain financial health and enhance service delivery.

We discuss the rationale behind this approach, highlighting its benefits such as cost efficiency, access to experienced leadership, and enhanced community engagement. By splitting the costs of a CEO, credit unions can...

Join us in this episode as Grant Sheehan, CCUE | CEO of the National Council of Firefighter Credit Unions (NCOFCU), interviews Bonnie Sensing, Executive VP of Nashville Firemen's Credit Union. We break down the BSA complex regulations, explore BSA compliance strategies, and discuss real-world implications for directors and staff. 

Join us in this insightful episode as Grant Sheehan, CCUE | CEO of the National Council of Firefighter Credit Unions (NCOFCU), interviews Michael McCormick, chairman of the San Diego Firefighters Federal Credit Union. Dive into the essentials of credit union governance and operational efficiency, focusing on the critical role of Profit and Loss (P&L) statements. Learn why understanding these financial documents is vital for directors in making informed decisions that impact the overall health and strategic direction of credit unions.

Discover key components of the P&L statements that directors must prioritize, and understand how financial literacy...

In this episode, we delve into the growing trust gap between CEOs and boards, as revealed by a recent survey from consultancy Spencer Stuart. The survey highlights a significant discrepancy in how CEOs and board members perceive the effectiveness of board support during challenging times.

As the U.S. faces economic disruptions and regulatory shifts reminiscent of the early COVID-19 era, the necessity for proactive governance comes to the forefront. While only 22 percent of CEOs feel adequately supported by their boards, 43 percent of board members believe they are providing the needed assistance, indicating a gap in perceptions...

Update on the recent legislative discussions.

Keep on letting your representatives know Don’t Tax My Credit Union!

We hope that you have found this podcast beneficial and will subscribe so that you won't miss the next one.

Grant Sheehan  
CEO, N C O F C U

NCOFCU's First Responder Credit Union Academy
The importance of Credit Union board governance and the availability of the board governance study manual and testing in the First Responder Credit Union Academy. https://www.ncofcu.org/first-responder-credit-union-academy.
Thank you for watching and if you have any questions contact me, Grant Sheehan CEO, directly ceo@ncofcu.org | 305-783-3544

Mastercard is revolutionizing the way consumers and businesses engage with stablecoins by introducing a new solution that integrates these digital assets into everyday financial systems. This innovation allows stablecoins to be used as effortlessly as traditional currency, enhancing their utility on a global scale. Through strategic partnerships with major crypto platforms like MetaMask, Kraken, and Binance, Mastercard enables users to earn rewards, pay, and spend stablecoins at over 150 million merchant locations worldwide.

In collaboration with OKX, Mastercard is launching the OKX Card to provide millions with easy access to their funds, exploring new opportunities in the digital...

We are thrilled to share a significant win for the credit union movement: Credit unions are not included in the newly released text of the House Ways and Means Committee’s reconciliation bill. This outcome is a direct reflection of the unwavering, months-long advocacy from credit union professionals, volunteers, and leaders like you.

Your voices were heard loud and clear. From emails and calls to social media and in-person outreach, your dedication has helped protect the credit union tax status. As the committee begins marking up the bill this week, we must remain vigilant. There is still a...

Introduction to the National Council of Firefighters Credit Unions (NCOFCU) Podcast and what we will cover.

NCOFCU First Responder Credit Union Academy. https://www.ncofcu.org/first-responder-credit-union-academy

"Rapid Fire" NCOFCU's former Chairperson, Michael McCormick, explores the past COVID operations of Denver Fire Dept Credit Union and their relationship with NCOFCU in a conversation with its CEO, Michael Kerr.