Randy Ralston

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The clock is ticking: Most credit union leaders will wait until it’s too late

Dec 9, 2024 | cuinsight.com | Randy Ralston |Lou Grilli |John Dearing

The financial world is undergoing a profound transformation, and credit unions, long valued for their community focus and member-centric approach, must adapt to remain relevant. As the integration of decentralized finance (DeFi) into the broader financial ecosystem accelerates, the need for credit unions to offer cryptocurrency custody solutions has never been clearer.
Kamala vs. Trump: The election matters less than you think

Oct 24, 2024 | cuinsight.com | Randy Ralston |DaLand CUSO

Every four years, we’re told that ‘this’ election is the most important of our generation. It’s easy to understand this approach, after all, what better way to achieve the noble goal of ‘getting out the vote’ than to use fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) to drive people to the polls. Admittedly, because humans have very little capacity for meaningful integration of historical knowledge into their present-day actions, this 200 year old tactic is still popular, and likely effective.
BNY Mellon and crypto custody: What it means for your credit union

Sep 26, 2024 | cuinsight.com | Randy Ralston |DaLand CUSO

In the world of finance, certain facts are almost too big to wrap your head around. Here’s one: BNY Mellon, has nearly $50 trillion in assets under custody. That’s right—$49.5 trillion, to be exact. To put that in perspective, the entire U.S. stock market—the collective value of every publicly traded company on American exchanges—totals about $46 trillion. That means BNY Mellon is holding more assets in custody than the value of the entire U.S. stock market combined.
This year’s budget season could be the most important ever: Here’s why

Sep 16, 2024 | cuinsight.com | Randy Ralston |DaLand CUSO

As you gear up for the 2025 budget season, long-term strategic planning is more critical than ever. The financial industry is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by advances in technology, changing member expectations, and the evolving nature of money itself. If you fail to adapt to these shifts, your institution risks becoming one of the many member-owned cooperatives left behind in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
Novel products, novel risks

Sep 4, 2024 | cuinsight.com | Randy Ralston |DaLand CUSO

The financial industry is no stranger to risk. Risk produces YIELD, and it turns out that responsible risk maximizes margins. This … is banking. However, the emergence of digital assets and new payment networks introduce a unique set of challenges and opportunities. We recently helped a credit union launch “CU Digital Asset Vault,” a first-in-the-industry solution to the first new asset class in over 40 years (and innovative way to keep a community FI plugged into the future of money).
Cash, coins, and crypto: Rethinking your digital strategy while there’s still time

Sep 3, 2024 | cuinsight.com | Randy Ralston |DaLand CUSO

For over a century, credit unions have stood as pillars of financial stability and inclusion, offering a safe haven for those underserved by traditional banks. These institutions have been more than just financial service providers; they have been cooperatives dedicated to the conservative stewardship of their members’ funds, shielding them from the volatile swings of larger economic forces, and empowering them to earn better returns on their deposits.
Digital assets and the future of finance – A case study with St. Cloud Financial Credit Union - CUInsight

Aug 20, 2024 | cuinsight.com | Randy Ralston |DaLand CUSO

Digital assets are no longer the future; recently becoming an important voting bloc, they aren’t just here to stay, they may determine the outcome of this year’s presidential election. With an estimated 40% of all adults in the U.S. owning crypto, it’s time for financial institutions and regulators to face the facts – all two trillion ($2T) of them and counting.
Why we’re betting big on innovation: A challenge to the credit union industry

Aug 13, 2024 | cuinsight.com | Randy Ralston |DaLand CUSO

Let’s cut to the chase: the credit union movement has reached a pivotal moment. The world around us is changing at breakneck speed, and we have a choice. We can either adapt and thrive or cling to the status quo and risk obsolescence. In an industry which often attempts to ‘play it safe’, we’re here to call the facts as we see them – as uncomfortable as that might be.
Revolutionizing finance: The future is now

Aug 9, 2024 | cuinsight.com | Randy Ralston |DaLand CUSO

In an era defined by rapid technological advancement, the financial sector stands at a crossroads. The tension between the visionaries advocating for a revolutionary, blockchain fueled financial future and the defenders of the status quo often obscures a critical opportunity. The capability to enhance member service, optimize operations, and cut costs is already within our grasp. The missing element isn’t technological but a simple commitment to change.
New safe havens: TradFi vs trillion dollar tech

Jul 1, 2024 | cuinsight.com | Randy Ralston |DaLand CUSO

The latest from the Fed is that inflation is mostly under control, unemployment is near historic lows, and there is no immediate rush to lower the federal funds rate. It is true that the current annualized inflation rate of 3.5% is much improved from the 9% just two years ago. Still, the impact to savings account balances, consumer spending power, and overall cost of living remains significant.