Louisiana's FiCep Testing Receives Media Coverage
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On Tuesday morning's broadcast, a Baton Rouge television station (WBRZ) aired a special piece on Louisiana credit unions. LCUL arranged for the station to interview National Credit Union Foundation's Mark Lynch, the driving force behind the nationally acclaimed Financial Counselor Training & Certification Program (FiCEP). Mark was in Baton Rouge this week as credit union professionals prepare for their first round of FiCep testing at the Hyatt Regency. Louisiana has been recognized for the implementation of the FiCep program.
LCUL has seen an increase in participants over the last three years and has been recognized nationally for the implementation of the program. When staff successfully complete the proctored exams for both parts (eight total modules), they will earn the Credit Union Certified Financial Counselor designation and will be ready and able to assist credit union members reach their financial goals.
We will be working on more extensive coverage throughout the state after the program is completed and participants have earned their designation.
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CUs Encouraged to Utilize Membership Benefits Report
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It's well-known in the credit union world that credit unions charge less for loans, pay higher dividends on savings and charge fewer and lower fees than for-profit institutions. But members may not be aware of how much money they save by simply belonging to a not-for-profit financial cooperative.
CUNA's Membership Benefits Report provides credit unions with a low-cost, customized snapshot of these savings. The report can be used to:
- cement current member relationships;
- attract new members;
- show policy makers the credit union difference;
- track performance over time; and
- enhance advertising, promotions and public relations.
To learn more, visit CUNA's website.
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NCUA to Host Grant Initiative Webinar
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Credit unions interested in applying for the next round of grants from the National Credit Union Administration can get important information during an agency webinar, "NCUA 2015 Grant and Loan Opportunities," scheduled for Wednesday, April 15, beginning at 1:00 p.m. central.
Click here for more information or to register for the webinar.
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LA Jump$tart Coalition: Money Smart for Older Adults Train-the-Trainer Workshop
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Train-the-Trainer Workshop on Money Smart for Older Adults: Prevent Elder Financial Exploitation
Thursday, April 16th, 2015
1:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Conference Center - La. Association of Business & Industry
3113 Valley Creek Drive
Baton Rouge, LA
This train-the-trainer program will instruct participants on how to raise public awareness and prevent elder financial exploitation. This module was developed by the FDIC in collaboration with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's Office for Older Americans.
The Money Smart for Older Adults curriculum will be explored with a special focus on the content that covers common frauds, scams and other forms of elder financial exploitation. The presenters will discuss best practices for collaboration with local aging networks and law enforcement agency stakeholders; planning effective presentations for older adults and family caregivers; and speaker presentation skills. An interactive breakout session will challenge the participants to identify and share next steps for taking this information back to their communities.
The lead trainer is Jenefer Duane, Senior Program Analyst, Office for Older Americans, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Click here for more information and/or to register.
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New Member Brochure for Shared Branching
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In an effort to keep up with the latest Shared Branching outlet information, we have created a new member brochure for participating credit unions. The new brochure, which replaces the Symbol of Convenience brochure, provides members with a number of different ways to find the nearest location. This new brochure has been formatted to fit three to a page and sized for inclusion in statements and/or your CU lobby.
"Whether it's new outlet participants or new branch locations, there are always changes taking place within the Shared Branching Network. We believe the new brochure will provide members with a more timely and accurate information to over 5,500 branches nationwide and specifically to more than 150 outlets in Louisiana," commented Courtney Miceli, LCUL/CUCB Senior Vice President.
The new CUCB brochure can be found under the Shared branching section of the League's website. Click here for instant download.
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Does Your CU Have the Loyalty Effect?
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Maps CU Finds Success with Loyalty Rewards Program
Member loyalty is often cited as a key difference between bank customers and credit union members. While this fact is supported by the length of time an individual belongs to a credit union, how does it compare to the depth of services that same individual uses? Across the U.S, loyalty memberships at a variety of retailers have nearly reached 2.65 billion, with 83% of all consumers belonging to at least 1 loyalty program. Statistics show that more than half of consumers consider these loyalty programs when making purchasing decisions.
Click here to view the Infographic!
So, how does this data translate to credit unions? Consider Marion & Polk Schools Credit Union (Maps CU) who conducted a focus group that uncovered their members' viewpoint that rewards were very important. After considering several providers, Maps CU selected ScoreCard © Rewards' turnkey solution with FIS processing and have realized growth of more than 650% for their rewards card program. In addition, they have used ScoreCard rewards points to energize staff participation in loan promotions. They proudly shared some campaign results:
Maps Balance Transfer Program
- More than 9% increase in accounts
- 16% increase in balances
- Credit lines grew by 9%
- Exceeded campaign goal by more than $25 million
Automobile Promotion
- $5.3 million goal
- $11.7 million actually achieved
- Grew direct auto outstanding by 18%
FIS loyalty services have been in operation for over 20 years and supports over 3100 financial institutions. With 3 million transactions processed daily, 8 million card accounts, and 40 million retail accounts, FIS is uniquely positioned to help credit unions exceed their goals. For more information about how ScoreCard Rewards can help grow your business, contact FIS at 800.822.6758, [email protected], or visit www.fisglobal.com/products-loyalty.
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Keeping Up with the League
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LCUL Wins National Marketing Award
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The Louisiana Credit Union League won first place for Best Credit Union Annual Report in the CUNA Blockbuster Awards. The Blockbuster Awards program is a national competition sponsored that recognizes outstanding League and LSC communications efforts and honors the best in public relations and publications, paying tribute to excellence in marketing and advertising. The Blockbuster Awards are the highest communication awards bestowed on Leagues and LSCs in the credit union industry.
"We are very pleased to be recognized nationally for our communication efforts," said Anne Cochran, President & CEO. "Advancements in the movement take place at a rapid pace. It is our commitment to deliver information in a progressive, timely matter that reflect those advancements. We look forward to growing together with credit unions as these changes take place."
All winners were celebrated at an awards reception at the CUNA-AACUL Communicators Conference in Las Vegas March 23.
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Neighbors FCU Female Leaders Receive Award for Impacting Lives of Women in Louisiana
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Kathi Gill, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Charlotte Placide, Vice Chair of Board of Directors, were honored with Esprit de Femme Awards from the LSU Women's Foundation at the 3rd Annual Celebration on Thursday, March 19 at the Renaissance Hotel in Baton Rouge.
"The Esprit de Femme Awards honor women who have made lasting impacts on the lives of countless women in our state and blazed trails for other women," said Summer Steib, LSU Women's Center director. The Awards are an annual acknowledgment of persons who make outstanding efforts toward the advancement of women through contributions to the arts, education, healthcare, business and industry, charity and civic engagement.
Kathi Gill has been with Neighbors Federal Credit Union for 34 years, serving as President and CEO for the past seven. In her current position, Neighbors has more than doubled its asset size, completed three mergers, added seven new branch locations, a mortgage lending office and two school branches. She serves on professional and community boards including the Alzheimer's Services of the Capital Area and Sexual Trauma Awareness Response Center (STAR).
Charlotte Placide is a retired East Baton Rouge Parish School System superintendent. She worked in the EBR school system for 28 years. Placide has been the recipient of awards including the YWCA of Greater Baton Rouge's Women of Achievement award, Business Report's Influential Women in Business Award and the NAACP community award.
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Baton Rouge Telco FCU Celebrate Employment Appreciation Week with Pie in Their Face
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Baton Rouge Telco FCU celebrated Employee Appreciation Week in early March. Employees donated to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank in exchange for throwing pies in their bosses' faces. Larry Lemoine, VP of Lending; Steve Denny, COO, and Douglas Robinson, VP of IT (not pictured) were the lucky recipients. The credit union recorded the whole thing and continue to watch it on repeat. Check out Telco's You Tube Channel to view for yourself!
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