Shows
The Michigan Opportunity Radio ShowThe Michigan Opportunity Radio Show ~ Exploring Community, Finance, and Technology in MichiganJuly 14, 2025 ~ In this episode of “The Michigan Opportunity,” Ed Clemente is joined by Raymond Lozano, executive director of the Mexican Town Community Development Corporation, to discuss preserving culture and enriching lives in southwest Detroit. And then, April Clobes, president and CEO of MSU Federal Credit Union, stops by to share insights into the world of credit unions, financial technology, and member-focused services.2025-07-1237 min
Counting ChangeAccess for All: Rethinking Financial Equity in Credit Unions with April ClobesIn this episode of Counting Change, hosts Arjun Sahgal and Rachel Reid discuss financial accessibility with April Clobes, President/CEO at MSUFCU.The episode explores the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in accessing financial services, and the importance of technology in creating inclusive experiences. April also discusses emerging technologies that can enhance accessibility and how MSU Federal Credit Union is leveraging these innovations to create competitive advantages in the financial sector.Counting Change is hosted and run by Ascent Platform. 2025-05-2732 min
The Michigan OpportunityS5 Ep.11 - April Clobes, President and Chief Executive Officer, MSUFCUAs the #2 credit union in Michigan, Michigan State University Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU) has 23 branches, 358,000+ members, $7.7B in assets, and 1,100+ employees.April Clobes, President and CEO of MSUFCU, discusses the history of the credit union and what the credit union offers to Michigan residents. She joined the Credit Union in 1996 and moved through many positions within the organization prior to being named President and CEO in 2015. She serves on five #FinTech Advisory Boards. Founded in 1937, MSUFCU has a national reputation for excellence including being named a Best Credit Union to Work For® by Am...2025-04-0931 min
MSU Today with Russ WhiteMSU Give Green Day is March 11Give Green Day is MSU’s university-wide day of philanthropy featuring unique giving priorities from across campus, all geared to supporting student success. The goal is to provide an opportunity for all MSU connected programs to raise awareness for their funding needs and to encourage vital donations for their programs through outreach to alumni and friends of the university.The Michigan State University Federal Credit Union is lead sponsor for Give Green Day 2025 and, along with MSU’s Office of the President, is providing a $100,000 challenge gift. The challenge gifts are used to incentivize giving by ke...2025-02-2215 min
Wallet WatchDream BIG with MSUFCUTo our loyal listeners, this is an episode of Wallet Watch you don’t want to miss. Podcast host Jessica gets some one-on-one time with MSU Federal Credit Union’s President and CEO, April Clobes. In this episode, Jessica gets April’s thoughts on the importance of innovation when it comes to growth, the current economic state and what the future looks like for the small-town Credit Union that is a leader in the industry in so many ways. Don’t miss out, tune in now.
2025-01-2917 min
Grow Your Credit UnionThe Three Lies of AI, Rate Cuts, and Big Changes Through Baby StepsAI promises big changes, but are credit unions buying into misconceptions that could hold them back? In this episode of Grow Your Credit Union, host Joshua Barclay and guest co-host Elizabeth Osborne, COO, Great Lakes Credit Union are joined by April Clobes, President and CEO, MSU Federal Credit Union to tackle three timely topics:The Three Lies of AI: Common misconceptions about AI in the credit union space and uncover actionable use cases that balance human intelligence with artificial efficiency.Rate Cuts and Member Strategy: Discover how credit unions can leverage rate cuts with innovative deposit products, streamlined...2024-12-0928 min
Behind the VaultThe Practical Application of AI for Community FIs Today with Ben Maxim of MSUFCUIn this episode of Behind the Vault, we hear from Ben Maxim, the Chief Innovation Officer of Michigan State University Federal Credit Union. While every innovation discussion inevitably touches AI, we hear Ben's perspective on the misses and hits the CU, and its wholly owned CUSO, The Reseda Group, has had to get real returns from AI in its operations.Key highlights from our conversation:The real-world applications that have and haven't made an impactThe role partnerships play in composing successful solutionsWhere Ben sees BaaS and embedded payments headed in the futureHow credit unions can balance...2024-10-2328 min
Credit Unions, Coffee & ConversationsLive from MCUL's Executive Summit: April Clobes - President/CEO, MSUFCUPatty Corkery talks with MSUFCU CEO April Clobes live, on stage at the 2024 MCUL Executive Summit, about how she navigates current industry trends. They discuss the fintech space, branch expansion, member growth and hiring practices.2024-10-0444 min
One Vision fintech fuseBalancing human and AI in delivering meaningful solutions for credit union membersTraditional views on financial milestones and pathways to financial security are changing, and we need different solutions to address our changing needs at various stages of life. In this episode of One Vision — FinTech Fuse! Theo chat with April Clobes, President/CEO of MSU Federal Credit Union, on the impact of technology in the credit union industry. There is an immense interest in deploying AI to create personalized solutions for members and drive efficiencies for credit unions; how we can best leverage the technology in a responsible and fair manner is an on-going exercise. Financial services industry is at an int...2024-09-0933 min
Behind the VaultHow did a university credit union transform into a fintech powerhouse?Join us for a masterclass in innovation with April Clobes, CEO of Michigan State University Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU). In this episode, April reveals:* MSUFCU's journey from buying fintech solutions to creating their own* The secret sauce behind their successful fintech acquisitions* How they formed Reseda Group, a credit union service organization (CUSO), to sell solutions to other institutions* Their venture into investing in fintech startupsKey takeaways:* The critical importance of board alignment in driving innovation* How MSUFCU leverages its "Labs" sub-brand for pilot...2024-07-3135 min
Banking Transformed with Jim MarousInnovation Through Dynamic Co-CreationWe're excited to welcome April Clobes, CEO and President of MSU Federal Credit Union back to the Banking Transformed podcast, recorded live at the Financial Brand Forum, to discuss the power of innovation through dynamic co-creation.As credit unions face increasing competition from nimble fintechs and larger traditional players, finding new ways to innovate and stay ahead of the curve is more important than ever. April and her team at MSUFCU have developed a unique approach to this challenge, leveraging in-house tech talent and a Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO) to create "composable solutions" that drive member va...2024-06-2050 min
Plugged In - A Banking PodcastEp 25: Pizza parties, digital banks, university appeal // April ClobesIn this episode, Al and Steve sit down with April Clobes, president and CEO of MSU Federal Credit Union, to chat about growth strategies in Michigan, a state that ranks 49th in overall population growth since the 1990s. Spoiler: For the university credit union, it includes more intimate marketing, like sponsoring green-and-white pizzas (the university’s colors) and pizza-making classes.April also dishes on the credit union’s two digital banks, while the crew explores how to deal with lost revenue when becoming a $10 billion institution (thanks, Durbin).2024-01-2429 min
Banking on Experience powered by BUSINESSNEXTFuture-Proof Your Credit Union: MSU Federal Credit Union's Innovation Blueprint RevealedDive into the realm of Michigan State University Federal Credit Union, where innovation isn't just a buzzword – it's a way of life, thanks to their groundbreaking innovation lab. Witness firsthand how Michigan State University Federal Credit Union sets the standard in the credit union landscape through relentless innovation and strategic foresight. Gain unparalleled insights from the CEO herself, April Clobes, as she shares the transformative strategies and inventive solutions driving their success. Michigan State University Federal Credit Union has an impressive record of achievements: Serving over 338,000 members worldwide, they've been recognized by American Ba...2024-01-1624 min
Total MichiganMSU Federal Credit Union - From Desk Drawer to BillionsMSU Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU) is quickly growing. April Clobes, President and CEO of MSU Federal Credit Union, sat down with me to talk about how she climbed the corporate ladder to become the CEO but also how this credit union, which started in a desk drawer over 50 years ago now has hundreds of thousands of members and manages $7.5 Billion in assets.Links:MSU Federal Credit Union Website: https://www.msufcu.org/To get these episodes sent directly to your inbox, go to https://totalmichigan.com/joinWatch the YouTube Version...2023-11-1032 min
The Cornerstone League PodcastApril Clobes on Launching a CUSO, the Importance of Board Support, and Generative AIMichigan State University Federal Credit Union and Reseda Group President/CEO April Clobes shares Reseda Group’s origin story and insights on the importance of garnering board support when launching a new CUSO. She also discusses how MSUFCU and Reseda Group leverage data to gauge members’ interest in emerging technologies, and advice to credit union leaders interested in launching a CUSO. As credit unions are seeking alternative revenue streams, Clobes’ insights lay the groundwork for best practices when launching a new endeavor. 2023-11-0822 min
You, Me, and Your Top ThreeLeading Through Digital Disruption (WSG April Clobes)April Clobes, CEO of Michigan State University Federal Credit Union, joins host Gregg Garrett to discuss the need for top leaders of firms to better understand the basics of technology in order to properly define strategies and transform companies. April shares her Top 3: Pat McPharlin, who demonstrated a relentless drive and employee focus; Mark Zook, who exemplifies credit union collaboration; and April’s MSUFCU Team, who bring courage and new understanding. And you have to hear about how she treats every day like a job interview. . SHOW HIGHLIGHTS During this episode: (00:00) In...2023-10-1345 min
Banking on Digital Growth340) Empowering SMBs: The Key to Community Growth with Financial BrandsIn today's fast-evolving economic landscape, small to midsize businesses (SMBs) play a pivotal role in community development. However, kicking off and scaling a small to midsize business can be a tough row to hoe. They are often in search of supportive community financial brands that can provide them with the much-needed help and hope.
The unexplored potential of collaboration between SMBs and financial brands can be the game-changer in promoting community growth.
In our latest episode, we explore the Heart of Growth series with April Clobes, the Presid ent a...2023-10-1025 min
FIsionariesThe Compelling Case for Investing in FintechsDigital banking transformation is most successful when it combines internal and external execution. This includes a focus on digital banking transformation, innovation, and strategic investments.Michigan State University Federal Credit Union has grown consistently over the past 5 years, reaching $7.5 billion in assets. They have done this with strong leadership and a continued investments in modern fintech solutions through a wholly owned credit union service organization, Reseda.My guest on the FIsionaries podcast is April Clobes, President and CEO of the Reseda Group and MSUFCU. We discuss the strategic advantage of investing in new technologies and fi...2023-08-0838 min
America's Credit UnionsLeveraging the CUSO modelReseda Group CEO April Clobes describes how credit unions can foster growth and offer more products and services through credit union service organizations. 2022-03-1715 minCUNA News PodcastLeveraging the CUSO modelReseda Group CEO April Clobes describes how credit unions can foster growth and offer more products and services through credit union service organizations. 2022-03-1715 minCredit Unions, Coffee & ConversationsApril Clobes - CEO, MSUFCUThe latest episode of MCUL’s podcast series, Credit Unions, Coffee and Conversation, features MSU Federal Credit Union CEO April Clobes.When Clobes started at the Lansing-based, $6.26B-in-assets credit union, there were less than 100 employees, which has grown since to nearly 1,000. Those employees serve 311,000 members across 24 branches in the Lansing area.MCUL CEO Patty Corkery talks with Clobes about women leadership in the industry, how MSUFCU has been making a difference throughout generations and much more, including a positive spin on credit union life during COVID-19.2021-09-2340 min
The Speak Easy Podcast88: How Inner Strength Propels Community Strength — Featuring Guest April ClobesWorking your way up from an entry-level job all the way to CEO sounds like a dream come true — but professional success doesn't happen overnight. We're thrilled to kick off the new year with an episode featuring our special guest April Clobes, president and CEO of Michigan State University Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU).
April is proof that success comes from inner strength, community-mindedness, and a whole lot of sleeve rolling. In addition to her work at MSUFCU, April sits on an astounding number of boards that constantly keep her on her toes. How can we balance and blend the work wi...2021-01-0536 min
The CUInsight ExperienceApril Clobes - Mission Moments (#73)“Each interaction is meaningful and you should live each to the fullest.” - April ClobesThank you for tuning in to episode 73 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at PSCU. As the nation’s premier payments CUSO, PSCU proudly supports the success of more than 1,500 credit unions.Over the last few weeks, credit unions across the county have had to make major changes to how they serve their members and community. On this week’s episode, I sat do...2020-05-1544 min
CUES PodcastCUES 87: MSU FCU's a Great Workplace for Women Because It's a Great Workplace for Everyone—An Interview With April Clobes$4.8 billion MSU Federal Credit Union, E. Lansing, Michigan, hires about 10 new staff members a month. The first question these employees tend to ask the organization’s president/CEO is, “When is everyone going to stop saying ‘hi’ to me?” or “When is it going to be real?”That president/CEO, CUES member April Clobes, explains in this episode of the CUES Podcast how she responds to such questions: “I tell them, ‘Nope, that’s the daily real. It continues if you continue it. How will you greet the next group of new employees?”Clobes says the credit union makes...2020-03-1035 min
In the Room w/ Todd MarksberryE05: April Clobes - President & CEO of Michigan State University Federal Credit UnionOn this week's episode of In the Room w/ Todd Marksberry, it's credit union CEO to credit union CEO. April Clobes, President & CEO of MSUFCU, chats with Todd about her credit union journey, living the mission and brand, and all things that make April, well, April!The Leadership Corner (03:16 - 24:18): Spanning more than two decades, April takes us on her journey from her origins in marketing to becoming CEO of MSUFCU. The Curiosity Credenza (24:19 - 37:47): Todd and April discuss the importance of loving what you do and how it impacts the members' experience, who inspires April, and what she tells...2019-12-141h 00
Wallet WatchLeadership Series featuring April ClobesFor the second installment of our Leadership Series, we are talking to April Clobes, President and CEO of MSUFCU/OU Credit Union. She is talking to us about her take on leadership, and some of the qualities that help to make a great leader. This is an episode full of thought provoking insight. Take a listen!2019-12-0425 minWallet WatchLeadership Series featuring April ClobesFor the second installment of our Leadership Series, we are talking to April Clobes, President and CEO of MSUFCU/OU Credit Union. She is talking to us about her take on leadership, and some of the qualities that help to make a great leader. This is an episode full of thought provoking insight. Take a listen!
2019-12-0425 min
Green Team Academy049: 2019 Earth Week Virtual Summit OverviewEpisode 049: 2019 Earth Week Virtual Summit Overview Take a tour of the 2019 Earth Week Virtual Summit! www.EarthWeekSummit.com What is it? Originally aired April 22 - 28, 2019, the Summit features a total of 24 interviews featuring community leaders and experts. Each session provides tips and actionable advice from people who are making a real eco-impact on the ground. Save yourself years of wasting time, by learning proven strategies that are working right now! Can I still access the Summit? Yes! The Summit is available on-demand. Purchase access for just $97. Download t...2019-05-0939 min