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Kayla Stading, currently the vice president of information systems and member experience at Mid American Credit Union headquartered in Wichita, will succeed Brad Herzet as the next president and CEO of the credit union, effective February 2027, the MACU Board of Directors announced today.

Herzet, a longtime executive with MACU who has been its CEO since 2017, has guided Mid American — which is celebrating its 90th year of service in 2026 — to the following achievements:
• Steady and significant growth from $281 million in assets at the end of 2017 to $511 million in assets at the end of 2025.
• The recent acquisition of land at East 21st Street and 143rd Street North where it will build its sixth Wichita branch location.
• The extensive remodel of MACU’s Arkansas City branch, which had its grand opening March 27.
• An extensive remodel that is underway at the credit union’s south Wichita branch at 31st Street South and Meridian.
• The opening of a newly built full-service branch at Oliver and Kellogg in 2019 that replaced a smaller nearby branch acquired in a merger with the VA Credit Union.

To help ensure a smooth and seamless transition, Stading will work with Herzet and others until she moves into her new leadership role.

Stading, who has a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Fort Hays State University, first started at Mid-American as a member service representative in August 2012 and held various positions over the next decade, including serving more than five years as director of information systems and training. In December 2022, she became the director of operations for Abound Credit Union, a multibillion-dollar institution based in Kentucky.

Stading returned to Mid American in April 2024 as director of operational initiatives. In December 2024, she was promoted to her current role.

“I am looking forward to leading Mid American Credit Union because MACU represents the heart of the credit union movement of ‘people helping people,’ and it has stayed true to that mission over the past 90 years,” Stading said of her promotion. “MACU strives to improve people’s lives, and I am excited for the opportunity to continue providing that opportunity to members through innovation, exceptional service experiences, and with a culture that empowers employees to succeed. MACU has a rich history, and I am thankful for the privilege to lead us into the next chapter.”

“Her knowledge of the strategic risks that face Mid American Credit Union going forward and her understanding of Mid American’s culture and operational prowess will, undoubtedly, make her a great leader for everyone on this journey,” said Becky Bouska, who chairs Mid American’s Board of Directors.

Herzet echoed Bouska’s endorsement of Stading.

“Kayla has the experience, knowledge and ability to move Mid American to the next level in various areas, including asset growth, technology advancements that our members want, quality services for members and staff satisfaction,” he said. “She’s the right person at the right time.”

Newsletter Archives


Stay connected with what’s happening at Mid American Credit Union. Our Newsletter Archive gives you easy access to past issues, so you can catch up on important updates, financial tips, community news, and member announcements anytime. Whether you’re looking for a recent update or revisiting a favorite article, our archives are here for you; convenient, informative, and always focused on serving our members.
 

2026

 

2025


2024

 
 
 
By Debbie Stang, Home Loan Officer


Getting preapproved for a mortgage loan is an important first step in home ownership. That’s because being preapproved helps you know how much house you can afford and helps real estate agents and home sellers know you’re serious about buying.

What is involved in the preapproval process?

You’ll need to gather up various documents related to your financial status, including recent pay stubs and bank and other account statements (i.e. mutual funds, IRAs) from the past two to three months; tax returns, W-2s and employment history from the past two years; proof of other income, such as child or spousal support or government benefits; documents on other loans; rental or other real estate history information; and, of course, your driver’s license, Social Security card or other forms of ID.

It’s a good idea to check your credit report and score before you seek preapproval so that you can fix any errors or wrong information before a potential lender accesses your report and score. You can get a free report from annualcreditreport.com.

The higher your credit score, the better your interest rate and terms will be.

At Mid American, you can expect word back on your preapproval application within one to two business days if all your paperwork is in order.

What does a mortgage preapproval mean for buyers and sellers?

After analyzing your finances, a lender will provide you with a mortgage preapproval statement, indicating how much money it will loan to you for your mortgage.

This gives you a solid idea of how much you can afford and will help make your home search more efficient. A preapproval from Mid American can be good for 120 days.

Real estate agents and sellers generally will take a preapproved buyer more seriously than someone who isn’t. An offer from a preapproved buyer is generally less likely to fall through.

To get your preapproval started today, visit macu.mymortgage-online.com. If you have questions, please call (316) 722-3921 and ask for either me or LeeAnn Marker in mortgages, or email debbies@midamerican.coop or leeannm@ midamerican.coop.

When it comes to going on vacation, don’t let financial stress get in the way. Start setting aside money in a vacation savings account for an upcoming getaway, whether it’s a long weekend out-of-state, a weeklong cruise or an extended international trip.

A MACU vacation savings account earns a higher dividend than a regular savings account. Another benefit: You can make three free withdrawals monthly, giving you the flexibility to take that vacation any time of the year.

Here are tips to help get on the way to your next vacation:

Set a destination. Estimating trip expenses will help determine how much you should set aside each month. Use the Goals feature under the Insights section on your MACU online banking dashboard to help make your savings plans.

Make it automatic. Set up regular transfers from your checking account or your payroll check for consistency and convenience.

Boost your savings with bonus money, like tax refunds or cash gifts.

Add other savings. Review your spending habits and route even the smallest cuts toward your vacation account.

For more on MACU savings accounts, call the Contact Center, (316) 722-3921, ext. 202, or visit a local branch.

By Emily Reinhardt

Chances are, all of us have dreamed of what our lives might feel like if we had more money. We could finally take that dream vacation. We would have our emergency funds, retirement accounts, and personal savings built up. We might even drive a nicer car.

But in order to achieve financial dreams like these, we have to start looking at the money we have right now. We have to spend it wisely, save it strategically, and most importantly, hold ourselves accountable with our actions.

Making the promise to ourselves to pay off debts, to stabilize our savings, and to keep working towards our financial goals – and actually doing it. This is what accountability looks like. This will require a lot of self control and following through with committed action. Without actively holding yourself accountable, you’ll run into a lot of issues, but here are some ideas for how you can better rely on yourself and keep moving forward with your financial goals.

Take a good hard look at your spending habits. I used to justify unnecessary spending to myself all the time. Even when justifying my spending, the fact remains that I’ve spent money. More often than not, when I didn’t need to. If I’ve used a credit card for this, all it’s done is increased my debt. When you are keeping yourself in debt like this, there is no chance of getting out if you don’t change your actions. Often times people think an increase in income will help fix the problem, but perhaps more money creates the mindset that you can spend more too. Thus, keeping you in the cycle of spending in frivolous ways.
 
Align your values to the way you spend your money. You’ll have to be very intentional with your practices. Nail down what you believe in, what you are living for, and what your goals are – and I mean really nail it down. This will give you a clear understanding of what your values are and the direction you need to move in. If a solid financial foundation is important to you, you’ll have to align your actions with your goals and focus deeply on seeing them come to life. Set your intentions and follow through with them.

Your investments need a chance to grow. If your lack of financially accountability leads you to using your investments like you use your bank accounts, always dipping in when you need to, you’ll never gain the return on those investments that you need. Allow the promises you make to yourself to actually mean something, otherwise you’ll never do what you said you’d do as your future self. If you find yourself constantly dipping into the funds you’ve tried to set aside for savings or investing, try something new. Create a new account that’s just set up specifically for your impulsive spending, or for your “just for fun” stuff. A lot of people have separate accounts for different things, and knowing you have a cushion for yourself might ease the pain of some of your spending habits and will allow you to feel like you still have some room for freedom when you’re working hard on your growth and financial stability.

An accountability partner is incredibly helpful. When I am having trouble holding myself and my finances accountable, I can see how easy it is to lie to myself about my spending. I will either ignore the problem all together, or will tell myself that it isn’t a big deal. But my goals are a big deal! I found that having friends, or close family as my accountability team makes things a lot easier. I might lie to myself about my finances, but I have a much harder time lying to someone I care about. Just like having a workout buddy, it helps to have someone with the same goals and hopes for their financial future that you have. Find that person and keep them close!

Break down your financial goals into small, attainable chunks. It’s harder to make progress on a goal like “save for retirement” than it is on a goal like, “save $500 for retirement by the end of the year." Make some short term goals that feed into your long term goals, and then you’ll have the chance to accomplish them. A big financial vision is important, but the small attainable goals are going to be the steps you need to take now, and they allow you to cut out the excuse making.
By Debbie Stang, Home Loan Officer

 

New Year, Fresh Start

 

Home ownership is a year-round responsibility, but the beginning of the year is a great time for reviewing, revising and being proactive about your home’s future. Renters can also benefit from the following tips.

 

Catalog your home contents. Several mobile apps and web-based platforms make it easy to create and update home inventory lists by using AI to analyze uploaded photos. Here are some options to check out: bevelmade.com, HomeZada.com and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners home inventory app.

 

Go from room to room, including storage spaces, and take photos and videos of your items. List details of higher value items, such as brands, model and serial numbers of appliances and electronics, and their purchase dates and prices. Also note the conditions of items. Use your list to confirm you have enough coverage through your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy.

 

Conduct an energy audit.

Checking for air leaks, poor insulation and cracks will not only help you feel more comfortable in your home, but it also might help save money on your utility bills. It’s also a good time to check the efficiency of appliances.

 

For DIY audits, check windows, doors, lighting and plumbing fixtures, and electrical outlets, and caulk or seal any gaps. Visit the Department of Energy website (energy.gov/energysaver) for a more complete list for doing a home energy audit, including finding and hiring a professional, and other tips.

 

Review home expenses.

It’s also a good idea to audit your household finances, such as budgeting for HOA fees, property taxes and streaming services.

 

Plan ahead for projects.

Add calendar reminders of seasonal and other duties for the upcoming year, such as cleaning out the garage, sprucing up the backyard or picking out new paint colors. If you are planning any home renovation projects or major repairs, create a project timeline and checklist.

 

Take advantage of a home equity loan or line of credit to finance any home repairs or remodels. To view rates or start the loan application process, visit midamerican.coop/loans/home-loans. For more information, please call (316) 722-3921 and ask for either me or LeeAnn Marker, or email debbies@midamerican.coop or leeannm@midamerican.coop.

 

A new provision in the July 2025 tax and spending law, referred to by some as the One Big Beautiful Bill, is a deduction on car loan interest for tax years 2025 through 2028.

 

Only new vehicles with final assembly in the U.S. that are not used for business are eligible; income limits also apply for qualifying taxpayers.

To confirm whether the interest on your auto loan qualifies, please refer to official IRS guidance (irs.gov) or consult your tax advisor.      

The amount of interest paid year to date (YTD) on your Mid American Credit Union auto loan can be found:

    • Within online banking,

     •On your monthly statement,

     •On your year-end statement.

 

If your loan is paid in full during the year, you’ll find the interest paid YTD on the final loan statement issued the month after payoff.

 

Need assistance? Our team is here to help. Call 316-722-3921, ext. 202, or visit your local branch.

By Jessica Brokaw, CFP

When the market’s temperature keeps changing, it’s easy to feel the heat — or as if you’ve been left out in the cold. Your workplace retirement plan can withstand these swings if you know how to keep your cool. Here are some smart strategies to help your retirement savings thrive despite unpredictable financial climates.

Don’t let the heat get to you. Market drops can make you sweat but pulling your money out during a downturn locks in losses. Historically, markets bounce back over time. Instead of reacting emotionally, stick to your long-term strategy and ride out the fluctuations.

Keep your portfolio well-balanced. A stable retirement plan is like a well-regulated thermostat — balanced and consistent. Diversifying your investments across asset classes like stocks, bonds and cash equivalents helps reduce risk and smooth out the impact of volatile markets. Regularly review and rebalance your portfolio to stay on track.

Stay invested during cold spells. When the market cools off, don’t freeze your contributions. Continuing to invest during downturns means you’re buying shares at lower prices, setting yourself up for potentially greater growth when the market warms up again.

Don’t get burned by market timing. Trying to guess what the market will do is nearly impossible. Therefore, it’s important to stay disciplined by making consistent contributions and avoiding rash decisions based on short-term movements. Missing even a few of the market’s hottest days can seriously dampen your long-term returns.

Adjust your risk as you approach retirement. As you get closer to retirement, consider dialing down an appropriate amount of risk to help preserve your savings. Gradually shifting to more conservative investments can help protect your nest egg from sudden market chills.

Consult with an experienced advisor, your market climate specialist. 

When the financial climate leaves you feeling uncertain, an experienced advisor can help you put things in perspective and maintain a steady investment strategy. Don’t hesitate to seek guidance tailored to your unique situation.

At Mid American, LPL Financial Advisor Jessica Brokaw is avail­able to assist you with investment, retirement and legacy planning. Contact her at Jessica.Brokaw@LPL. com or (316) 779-0800.

Informational Sources: Capital Group: “Strategies for Dealing With Market Volatility” (accessed March 17, 2025); Franklin Templeton: “How to Navigate Market Volatility” (accessed March 17, 2025). Source/Disclaimer: This material, prepared by LPL Financial, LLC, is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. There is no assurance that the views or strategies discussed are suitable for all investors or will yield positive outcomes. Investing involves risks, including loss of principal.