How can credit unions use AI and digital lending tools without losing the human relationships that set them apart? Al Gregory, Chief Lending Officer at Securityplus Federal Credit Union, joins Mark Ritter to explain why technology should support, not replace, experienced judgment in commercial lending.

Al shares his path from bank teller to CUSO CEO and credit union lending executive, along with the lessons that shaped his approach to member business lending, credit administration, and strategic partnerships. Mark and Al discuss how a mid-sized credit union can compete in a major market through community investment, local relationships, and service that creates measurable value for members. They also explore AI in loan underwriting, the future of office commercial real estate, changing borrower expectations, and the responsibility credit union leaders carry when lending members' money.

What You Will Learn in This Episode:

✅How Al Gregory progressed from bank teller to CUSO CEO and Chief Lending Officer

✅How CUSO experience can strengthen credit union partnerships, governance, underwriting, and member business lending

✅How credit unions can balance digital lending efficiency with personal service and experienced credit judgment

✅Why community investment helps a mid-sized credit union compete in a crowded metropolitan market

✅How AI, office commercial real estate, and changing borrower expectations may shape the lending market

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TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Mark introduces Al Gregory of Securityplus Federal Credit Union

02:55 Al's career journey from bank teller to credit union Chief Lending Officer

06:03 The history, membership, and growth of Securityplus Federal Credit Union

09:29 How borrower expectations and communication have changed across generations

16:02 How leading a CUSO shaped Al's approach to credit union partnerships and commercial lending

18:31 Balancing digital lending, AI, personal service, and responsible credit decisions

21:16 How community investment helps Securityplus compete in the Baltimore market

24:05 How technology and agentic AI are changing the Chief Lending Officer role

25:29 Al's outlook for office commercial real estate, AI governance, and the lending market

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

💎Technology can speed up lending, but experienced people must still understand the borrower, the deal, and the source of members' funds.

💎CUSO leadership experience gives credit union executives valuable insight into governance, collaboration, underwriting, and credit administration.

💎Local visibility is built by showing up through homeownership education, redevelopment projects, and community-focused lending, not only through large advertising buys.

💎Credit unions can use AI as a powerful tool, but they remain accountable for every policy, decision, and outcome produced with it.

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Al Gregory is the Chief Lending Officer at Securityplus Federal Credit Union, where he leads consumer, commercial, mortgage, and indirect lending strategies. With nearly 30 years of banking and credit union experience, Al has served as a CUSO CEO and credit union executive, helping financial institutions strengthen lending programs, improve operations, and expand opportunities for members.

Al Gregory - LinkedIn

Securityplus Federal Credit Union - Website

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Mark Ritter - Website

Mark Ritter - LinkedIn