Bio:

Frank J. Diekmann the publisher of The CU Daily (www.thecudaily.com) and the CU Board Brief.  He is the former Cooperator-in-Chief and co-founder of CUToday.info, a digital news and collaboration platform.

Prior to founding CUToday.info, Mr. Diekmann founded Credit Union Journal, and prior to that co-founded Credit Union Times. Before covering credit unions, Mr. Diekmann covered the nation’s banking industry. He began his editorial career working as a sports reporter with the Cincinnati Post before making the natural segue into credit unions.

Mr. Diekmann is a frequent speaker, having addressed CU meetings from Sydney to Prague and all of the U.S. He regularly serves as a judge in various organizations’ marketing and awards competitions. He is the only journalist to graduate from the National Credit Union Foundation’s Development Education program and is now certified as an International Credit Union Development Educator.

A graduate of the University of Cincinnati, Diekmann is also the author of four books: Cathode Ray’s, The Bawl Game, The Flip Flop and 501 Name Tags: How Everything You Need to Know About Business Can Be Learned in the Trade Show.

Speaking Topics:

What does a Guy Named Ed, Long Drives in Thunderstorms, and Kids These Days Have to do With You, Credit Unions & Your Job

Credit unions are obsolete? All anyone wants is fintechs and apps? The future belongs to th big banks? Wrong! Wrong! And are you serious?, says veteran credit union journalist Frank J. Diekmann. In this fast-moving, challenging and entertaining hour-long presentation for all credit union employees, Mr. Diekmann explains where credit unions came from, where they are and why they are more relevant than ever to the future for consumers—IF they understand how to connect with members and communities. And that begins with the foundation necessary for any successful enterprise—their own employees, the most important brand ambassadors of all.

In this presentation Diekmann draws on real-life credit union examples ranging from innovative ideas, unique communications, historical lessons, videos and more to recharge CU employees about this rare enterprise they are a part of.

25 Ideas That Are Working In Credit Unions

Regardless of asset size, successful credit unions share some common traits: imagination and innovation. In this session, we’ll feature an idea every two minutes-and maybe more!-highlighting successful credit union programs that have proven to be effective. Lending promotions. New membership campaigns. Savings ideas. Culture builders. Onboarding initiatives. And more. All kinds of different challenges that have been met with one thing in common: a willingness to take chances, have fun, and do things differently. In this session Frank J. Diekmann will offer 25 ideas on all of this and more.

25 Things to Think About in 2026

Is your 2026 vision as good as you think it is? As your organization maps out a vision for 2026 and beyond, Frank J. Diekmann offers 25 different big picture and longer range issues that absolutely should be on the agenda of any growth-oriented organization, but often get overlooked as the focus on the short-term creates myopia. This session puts critical matters back on the agenda.