Chris Howard

Chris Howard is a Senior Vice President at Callahan & Associates. When he’s not workingwith industry-leading credit unionson financial health and well-being, data analytics, fintechs, and credit union impact, he’s moderating a Callahan Executive Roundtable or consulting with any number of credit unions on topics ranging from strategy and governance to member engagement and performance.

Chris has more than 20 years of experience in the field of financial services, eight of those with Callahan. He was instrumental in the launch of Callahan Academyand frequently facilitates course discussion groups about sustainable business strategy, disruptive innovation, consumer-focused product development, and behavioral science.

Outside of financial services, Chris has worked as a U.S. Senate staffer, produced a TV show, taught college courses, written articles for think tanks, and tended bar. His varied background gives him a diverse array of perspectives from which to pull when working with clients on their strategic challenges. As a former banker, Chris saw firsthand how banks put stockholder needs above those of consumers and is dedicated to helping credit unions spread the word that their movement is here to serve average Americans.

When he’s not helping credit unions turn the for-profit model of financial services on its head, he’s exploring everything Washington, DC, has to offer — including museums, parks, food, and history. On pleasant days, Chris enjoys hitting the road on his bicycle or heading out into the countryside. On rainy ones, he opts for a book about politics or business. And, he considers any day a good day to enjoy a glass a fine wine.

Credit Union Industry Commentary

How To Think Like A Strategist? Be Like Ike.

Ongoing planning beats static plans every time. Now’s the time to learn the practice of real strategic thinking.
Credit Union Industry Commentary

The Myth Of The Fast Follower

As credit unions face new marketplace disruptions, it’s time to take a closer look at some traditional responses to these challenges.
Credit Union Industry Commentary

Something Wicked This Way Comes

Cybersecurity is a problem that defies easy definition, solution, provenance, and conclusion.
Callahan Collections

4 Tips To Make Disruption Work For You

The concern around disruption in financial services is greater than ever before, but your credit union can take critical steps now to look at disruption ...
Credit Union Industry Commentary

Fail, To Succeed

Only in a culture that celebrates process and smart risk-taking does true innovation take root.
Credit Union Industry Commentary

The Existentialism Of Bitcoin, Blockchains, And Distributed Ledgers

Blockchain technology has the promise to introduce unprecedented control and security in the payments world, but do credit unions care, and should they?
Credit Union Industry Commentary

Baseball Teams And Credit Unions Can Win At The Margins

Credit unions can’t match resources with their big bank competitors, but they can still be outstanding in their field.
Credit Union Industry Commentary

Leadership Team Development: Elevating Credit Unions’ Daily Operations

Three ways credit union understandings and practices have changed.
Credit Union Industry Commentary

Leadership Team Development: Real-World Credit Union Successes

Why participants of the program say Callahan's Leadership Team Development is boosting their performance and success rate.
Industry Insights

CUbroadcast Highlights Callahan’s Leadership Team Development Program

In episode No. 625, Callahan vice president Chris Howard and Mike Lawson discuss what credit unions can gain from a team-focused approach to development.
CreditUnions.com
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