Lending School |

Lending School

In today’s shifting economic landscape, the ability to make sound, confident lending decisions is more critical than ever. Whether you are on the front lines connecting with members or in the executive suite driving institutional strategy, the Lending School offers the deep-dive expertise you need to thrive.

This in-person lending school offers two full days of immersive training tailored for both front-line lenders and executive leaders.

Event Date:
June 24-25, 2026

Registration is now closed; please contact [email protected] for assistance.

When & Where
Registration Details
Printable Agenda
Speaker Details
Hotel Information
Who Should Attend?
ICUL Event Policies

Date:
June 24 - 25, 2026

Day 1 | 9 am - 4 pm
Day 2 | 9 am - 4 pm

Location:
NIU Naperville Campus
1120 E Diehl Rd Ste 107, Naperville, IL 60563

Event Registration Deadline:
June 15, 2026

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Registration:
Starts: April 23, 2026
Ends: June 15, 2026

Cost:
Day 1 | $279
Day 2 | $279

Attendees can choose to attend 1 day or both days.

Coming soon!

Jessica Vartanian, Senior Consultant at CU Lending Advice, brings nearly a decade of credit union experience following an early career in big‑bank branch management and public education. She joined Red Rocks Credit Union in 2012, where she advanced through leadership roles spanning Sales, Contact Center, Business Development, and IT. Known for driving record loan growth, developing robust referral programs, and leading major system conversions, Jessica excels at integrating technology, automation, and training to enhance efficiency and elevate member experience. A certified adult trainer and facilitator, she is a sought‑after industry speaker and mentor. Jessica holds a bachelor's degree in education and completed a graduate program in Fintech at Oxford University’s Saïd Business School.

There is no official room block, but feel free to book near NIU Naperville campus at:

Embassy Suites Naperville

Hampton Inn Naperville

Fairfield Inn & Suites Naperville

Courtyard by Marriott Naperville

Lending School is designed for professionals at every stage of the lending function, including:

Loan Officers
Member Service Representatives (MSRs)
Lending Managers
Executive Leadership (CEOs, CLOs, VPs of Lending)

Review ICUL’s policies on cancellations, substitutions, photography, and more.

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Day 1

Day 2

Wednesday

June 24, 2026

9:00 am - 4 pm

Lending Workshop for Front-Line Lenders

Topics Covered:

What must happen during every loan interview

Consultative sales

Best practices in secured and unsecured lending

Educating members on FICO scores and credit improvement

Identifying bankruptcy indicators and response strategies

Responsible underwriting of high-risk loans

Thinking beyond traditional lending “boxes”

Appropriate collateral

Underwriting pitfalls to avoid

Understanding real risk factors

Selling value in a competitive landscape

Increasing sales of ancillary products

Thursday

June 25, 2026

9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Lending Workshop for Executive Leaders

Topics Covered:

Competitive analysis of the lending landscape and disruptive competitors

Loan product design and rate structuring

Improving productivity and operational efficiency

Enhancing loan delivery channels

Loan department organizational strategies

Loan policy updates and effective revisions

Centralized vs. decentralized lending models

Managing indirect lending channels

Successful collections practices

Developing a strong sales culture within lending

Structuring loan departments for optimal success

Effective underwriting practices

Incentive plans that drive loan production

Increasing the Credit Union’s ROA

Addressing internal lending challenges

Avoiding common loan loss pitfalls

Direct auto loan portfolio growth strategies

Thank You to Our Event Sponsors

Questions?

Contact the Training & Events Team today!

Training & Events