Howard Meller

President and Chief Executive Officer People First Federal Credit Union

Howard Meller is the President and Chief Executive Officer, at People First FCU, leading the organization with a strategic focus on growth, operational excellence, and long‑term value creation. With a proven track record of guiding teams, driving innovation, and strengthening customer and partner relationships, Howard is recognized for his commitment to building strong cultures and delivering results. A trusted leader and forward‑thinking executive, he brings deep industry insight and an unwavering dedication to the organization’s mission and future direction.

Making Experience Across Channels Key to Core Deposit Growth

2:35 PM Panel: Connecting Contact Center and Branch Staff with Tools and Strategies for Success

Members interact with financial institutions across multiple channels, and consistency is key. This panel brings together experts to discuss strategies for creating a seamless omnichannel experience that integrates in-person, phone, chat, email, and other customer-facing touchpoints. Panelists will highlight operational best practices, technology solutions, and training approaches that ensure members receive a consistent and efficient experience no matter how they reach you. Join this session to discover how to unify channels for higher engagement, satisfaction, and efficiency. Participants will walk away prepared to:

Align processes and systems across all member touchpoints for consistency
Implement technology that supports interactions
Train staff to deliver consistent service and messaging across channels
Use metrics to monitor and improve performance across each touchpoint
Create a member journey that feels connected, intuitive, and personalized

Winning Hearts and Minds: The Future Is Digital, Connected, and Exciting!

10:10 AM Branch Network Roundtables

Meant to facilitate networking amongst peers coming from similarly sized institutions, the sessions in this track will feature topics that are top of mind for each network group.

Large Networks (70+ Branches)
Medium Networks (30-70 Branches)
Small Networks (11-20 Branches)
Micro Networks (1-10 Branches

12:10 PM Keynote: The Culture Glue: Retraining the Frontline for the Advisory Era

As branches evolve from transaction centers into advisory hubs, the frontline workforce has become the defining factor in whether that transformation succeeds. This session explores how leading institutions are rethinking branch culture, roles, and talent models to align with a more consultative, relationship-driven future—without losing momentum or morale during periods of rapid change. The session will address today’s staffing realities head-on, including hiring constraints, role ambiguity, and burnout. Learn about upskilling frontline teams, redefining career pathways, and using training, incentives, and culture as the “glue” that holds the branch experience together. Participants will leave with actionable insights for:

Optimizing and maintaining employee engagement during digital transitions
Moving from reactive to proactive service models where bankers meet clients in the community or via video
Solving current staffing challenges while upskilling teams

Check out the incredible speaker line-up to see who will be joining Howard.

Download The Latest Agenda