McDermott + Bull has successfully placed Daren Linhares as SVP, Chief Lending Officer at Financial Partners Credit Union. In this role, Daren will serve as the organization’s senior lending strategist and chief credit risk officer, overseeing all consumer, mortgage, and commercial lending functions. He will guide the design and execution of Financial Partners’ lending strategy, strengthen credit oversight, modernize digital lending capabilities, and position the credit union for scalable, risk-adjusted growth.
Daren brings nearly a decade of lending leadership experience within the credit union industry. He most recently served as SVP, Lending at Credit Union of Southern California, where he oversaw all lending and collections operations, guided portfolio performance, and advanced credit risk management practices. He led modernization efforts, including the implementation of AI-driven decisioning, workflow automation, and cross-functional process improvements. Earlier in his career, he held progressive leadership roles across consumer lending, collections, and HR. Daren earned his bachelor’s degree and MBA from the University of Maryland and holds the Certified Credit Union Executive (CCUE) designation.
Financial Partners Credit Union is a financially strong and values-driven institution serving more than 90,000 members across California. The credit union is member-owned, not-for-profit, and focused on helping individuals and families earn money, save money, and save time. With approximately $2.3 billion in assets and branches spanning from the San Francisco Bay Area to San Diego, Financial Partners is well known for its commitment to service, innovation, and long-term member prosperity.
This executive search was completed by McDermott + Bull President Brandon Biegenzahn, Partner Courtney Dorrel, and Director Rachel Crisi.