The CUInsight Network podcast: Student lending – Student Choice

Thank you for tuning in to The CUInsight Network, with your host, Lauren Culp, President & CEO of CUInsight. In The CUInsight Network, we take a deeper dive with the thought leaders who support the credit union community. We discuss issues and challenges facing credit unions and identify best practices to learn and grow together.

My guest on today’s show is Jim Holt, Chief Development Officer at Student Choice. Jim shares his career journey that led him to his current role. Student Choice works with credit unions to deliver innovative financing solutions that help members responsibly overcome the challenges of higher education affordability.

During our conversation, Jim shares how private student lending can benefit credit unions and their members. He explains the importance of engaging and retaining younger members and how credit unions can do so by offering student loans. Jim shares the opportunities for cross-selling and strengthening member relationships throughout the lifecycle of a private student loan. He discusses the value in offering nontraditional student loans for vocational schools and even pilot training. Listen as Jim talks about the many opportunities for credit unions to provide future-focused funding.

As we wrap up the episode, Jim talks about a mentor who helped him early in his career, a bar built by him and his wife, and a tip to attending concerts, but purchasing tickets the day of so they’re less expensive. Enjoy my conversation with Jim Holt!

Connect with Jim:
Jim Holt, Chief Development Officer at Student Choice
creditunions.studentchoice.org
Jim: LinkedIn
Student Choice: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | X

Show notes from this episode:
What an amazing interview with Jim! Check out all the exceptional work their team is doing over at Student Choice here.
Want to hear more from Jim? Click here.
Shout-out: Chicago, IL
Shout-out: Sallie Mae
Shout-out: Citibank
Shout-out: Scott Patterson
Shout-out: Jon Jeffreys
Shout-out: Callahan & Associates
Shout-out: Velera
Shout-out: SoFi
Shout-out: Gen Z
Shout-out: Brad Bowland
Shout-out: TransUnion
Shout-out: FICO
Shout-out: McKinsey
Shout-out: UECU
Shout-out: American Airlines
Shout-out: Southwest Airlines
Shout-out: Alaska Airlines
Shout-out: Horizon Air
Shout-out: American Airlines Federal Credit Union
Shout-out: Alaska Air Group
Shout-out: Center Parc Credit Union
Shout-out: Elements Financial
Shout-out: SkyWest Airlines
Shout-out: jetBlue
Shout-out: Denver, CO
Shout-out: New Orleans, LA
Shout-out: San Francisco, CA
Shout-out: The Godfather Part II
Shout-out: Hoosiers
Shout-out: Moonstruck
Shout-out: Bueno Vista, CO
Shout-out: Jim’s wife
Shout-out: Jim’s mentor
Shout-out: Jim’s sons

In this episode:
[01:06] – Jim talks about his first job after college.[02:55] – Jim’s shares his career journey that led him to Student Choice.
[08:51] – Student Choice helps credit unions provide affordable education financing for students.
[12:26] – By offering private student loans, credit unions can engage and retain young members.
[15:29] – Gen Z wants a digital experience and values community service.
[17:54] – Private student loans lead to cross-sell opportunities for auto and mortgage loans.
[19:44] – Jim shares how credit scores and college degrees increase earning power and debt management.
[22:37] – Jim talks about a new solution helping credit unions support trade schools and airline pilot training.
[25:53] – Hear how CUs focus on vocational and associate nursing programs to help local nurses.
[28:23] – CUSOs helps credit unions with expertise and scale.
[30:57] – Student Choice recently built a new, state-of-the-art loan origination platform.
[33:54] – Jim’s mentor John taught him to invest in himself.
[35:37] – Jim and his wife moved from Chicago to Denver and built a bar called Sky Bar Denver.
[38:44]  – Jan, Jim’s wife, helps keep him balanced.
[41:15] –  Jim values the supportive nature of the CU industry.