Unlocking Passive Income Adventures with Credit Unions - Featuring Mark Ritter Welcome back investors! In this episode of Passive Income Adventures, we dive into the world of real estate lending with special guest Mark Ritter, CEO of Member Business Financial Services (MBFS). Mark shares his journey from growing up in Pennsylvania's coal regions to leading one of the top credit union service organizations in the country. Learn how to leverage credit unions for business and real estate financing, understand the benefits of using other people's money, and hear valuable tips on avoiding common pitfalls in real estate investments. Mark also discusses the importance of lifestyle goals over mere financial goals, the advantages and disadvantages of credit unions and bank loans, and the evolving landscape of tech tools in the credit union sector. If you're an investor, entrepreneur, or someone looking to improve your financial literacy, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss! Bio: Mark Ritter is the CEO of MBFS and brings an extensive background in credit union business lending to the organization after joining the organization in 2012. Mark was the founder of Members 1st FCU's credit union business lending program that grew to be one of the top ten in the nation in number of loans and balances outstanding for federal credit unions. In addition, Mark developed a participation program that grew to one of the top buyers and sellers of credit union business loans in the eastern United States. He has done extensive work with branch retail staff, business lending operational and sales staff, and credit unions throughout the Mid-Atlantic States to educate and train them on the merits of member business lending. His primary role at MBFS is leading the day-to-day operations of the organization and consulting with credit unions on planning the delivery of business services to their membership. Mark is a native of Berwick, PA and a graduate of Penn State University. Connect: https://mbfs.org https://linkedin.com/in/markrittermbfs Connect with Emma: https://investwithemma.com https://riseclubcapital.com https://partnerwithrise.com 00:00 Introduction to Passive Income Adventures 00:14 Meet Mark Ritter: Real Estate Lender 01:43 Mark's Journey in Financial Services 04:54 The Role of Credit Unions in Real Estate 06:33 Mark's Lifestyle Shift and Remote Work 08:06 Challenges and Realities of Real Estate Investing 11:54 Understanding Credit Union Lending 14:40 Personal Experiences with Credit Unions 17:24 Credit Unions vs. Traditional Banks 24:22 Leveraging Credit Unions for Real Estate Investments 34:50 Understanding Unsecured Lines of Credit 35:01 The Misconceptions of Hard Money Lending 35:47 Credit Unions vs. Hard Money Lenders 37:19 The Role of National Hard Money Lenders 38:40 Challenges with Credit Unions and National Banks 39:52 User Experience in Online and In-Person Banking 42:22 The Evolution of Credit Union Technology 44:34 The Importance of Loan Brokers 45:21 Credit Unions and Small Business Lending 47:28 Navigating Commercial Lending 50:45 The Impact of Liquidity on Lending 58:32 Community Development and Personal Goals 01:03:32 Networking and Finding the Right Resources 01:05:05 Conclusion and Contact Information