For credit unions that need it fixed.
I run operations at a $250M credit union. Alongside that, I work with other credit unions on operations, planning, and AI. Sometimes that means building something. Sometimes it means a plan, a second opinion, or a direction you have not tried yet. Every engagement has a clear scope, a set timeline, and something to show for it at the end.
- Who I work with
- Credit unions under $500M whose leadership team wants another experienced operator at the table.
- How I work
- I start by asking questions and understanding why things work the way they do. Then we lay out the options together, pick one, and get started. I will give you my opinion, and I want to hear yours. Change comes easily to me. I know it does not for everyone, and I plan the work with that in mind.
- Where
- Anywhere in the United States. I work remotely and come on site for kickoffs, planning days, and workshops.
Four ways to start.
Each has a set scope and timeline, and the price is listed with it.
The Workflow Fix
You pick one process that frustrates your staff. Loan applications, new accounts, member requests, card disputes. I map it, rebuild it so every request lands in a work queue with its documents attached, train your team, and leave IT a runbook.
AI Starting Point
Your board wants an AI plan and you want it done well within a month. In 30 days you get a ranked list of where AI will help, a clear line on what stays off-limits, one working tool in use, and a one-page policy the board can adopt.
Strategic Planning Day
A short survey of your team before I arrive. One day on site with your leadership team on your credit union and the next three years. A written plan two weeks later, short enough that people read it. Three quarterly check-in calls so the plan gets worked.
Standing Advisor
For a CEO who wants someone to call. Two scheduled calls a month, a written review of your numbers each month, a look at anything you send me, and my cell number for when something breaks.
Small credit unions build good things. These are ours.
The tools below are in daily use by tellers, lenders, and managers at Illinois State Credit Union, a $250M credit union with five branches. We built them ourselves. That is the same work I bring to you.
Intake bridge
Web forms used to arrive as emails that someone had to read, re-key, and forward. Now each one lands in the right work queue within seconds, with the member's documents attached.
Member360
One screen for front-line staff that shows a member's open requests, history, and what to do next.
Underwriting assistant
An AI model trained on our own loan and charge-off history. It gives lenders a second opinion on an application. The lender still decides.
CU Bench
Free peer benchmarking on NCUA call-report data. Pick any credit union, build a peer group, compare side by side. Open to anyone.
Roleplay trainer
New staff practice hard member conversations with a voice AI before they have one with a real member. No manager time required.
Conversion tracker
Every task, owner, and deadline in our core conversion on one shared board, so nobody has to ask where things stand.
I do the work myself.
I'm John Ragsdale, Vice President of Operations at Illinois State Credit Union in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois. Before this I consulted for credit union CEOs and boards at the League of Southeastern Credit Unions, and before that I worked in lending. When you hire me, you get me on the calls, in the spreadsheet, and on site. I take one project or one retainer client at a time.
What happens after you reach out.
The same steps every time. You will know the price before you commit to anything.
You fill out a short form
Five minutes. Tell me what you want to get done and what is in the way.
We talk for 30 minutes
I tell you which service fits, what it costs, and whether I am the right person for it. Sometimes I am not.
You get a one-page proposal
Within two business days. The problem, the work, what you receive, the timeline, and the price.
We sign and start
A short engagement letter and 50% up front. The rest is due when the work is done.
Kickoff within a week
You get a written update every Friday until we finish.
Something works
A rebuilt process, trained staff, the documentation, and a one-page summary you can hand to your board.
Tell me what you want built.
Five minutes on a form. I will reply within one business day with what I would suggest and, when it fits, a price.
Or email me: john@ragsdaleconsulting.com