Keeping you connected to key credit union news, events, and trends: May 16, 2018
In This Issue
Headline News

Get Recognized for Your  Commitment to Members, Work in the Community

We know Louisiana credit unions are doing remarkable things within their organization and in their communities. Now's the time to get recognized for all of your accomplishments.
 
The CUNA/LCUL Recognition Award Programs is designed to encourage and recognize distinguished credit unions which demonstrate social responsibility ( the Dora Maxwell Award), the credit union philosophy ( the Louise Herring Award), and financial education ( the Desjardins Awards). Click on the above links for a full description of each award.

In an effort to streamline the submission process, CUNA and the Leagues have collaborated to produce one standardized format and online submission process.  Click here to access the online application process.
 
Winners on a state level will be recognized at LCUL's Annual Meeting & Convention August 1-4 and then entered on a national level.

Questions? Contact Lacey H. Weaver, VP of Communications & Public Relations.  

Deadline: June 15, 2018
Latest Issue of Pelican Politics Highlights Impressive Legislative Win for Louisiana CUs

In a recent issue of Pelican Politics, LCUL highlights the latest legislative victory (see below) along with updates from both the CULAC and Legislative Committees.

Not on the Pelican Politics distribution list and want to keep up with the latest advocacy info? Contact the League's Communications Department today.
 
Payday Loan Expansion Bill Rejected by Louisiana House Committee

Efforts to establish a new payday lending option failed in a House committee last Wednesday as legislators disagreed on the best way to serve consumers while protecting them from crippling debt and predatory lending.
 
Back in March, LCUL was notified of Senate Bill 365, which sought to establish a new payday loan product offering loans between $500 and $875 with three to 12-month terms. The state's current payday loan system allows lenders to offer a maximum of $350 for up to 30 days. 
 
Representative Edmond Jordan, D-Baton Rouge and board member of Essential CU, questioned the ambivalence of the proposal, noting that offering a high interest loan that's less predatory than the payday loans on the market doesn't make the proposal less detrimental to borrowers. "You can put a knife nine inches in my back and pull it out six and you can't call that progress. I've still got a knife in my back," Jordan said.
 
Ronaldo Hardy, CEO of Southeast Louisiana CU, along with Rick Williams, CEO of Essential CU, testified before the committee on behalf of the Louisiana credit union system, saying credit unions offer lower interest rates for comparable loan amounts and terms, with the added benefit of financial literacy services.
 
"I applaud Rep. Jordan, Ronaldo, and Rick for representing the credit union system, stressing the importance of our structure, and educating legislators on the products and services offered to consumers.  Their testimonies were powerful and eye opening, particularly for those who don't understand what makes us different. It's important that we capitalize on these opportunities to increase awareness and advocacy efforts," commented Bob Gallman, LCUL President/CEO.
 
Prior to the May 9 testimonies, LCUL and Adams & Reese filed a note of opposition on behalf of Louisiana credit unions concerning SB 365.
 
Click here to view testimonies.
(credit unions are introduced at the 1 hour, 45 min mark)

CU4Kids: See How Much Louisiana Raised in 2017!
Congratulations to Louisiana credit unions on another successful year of CU4Kids fundraising.  We are extremely proud to report that total donations from Louisiana in 2017 were $73,620.  This number reflects the total amount donated from credit unions, chapters, and the league. 
 
Credit Unions for Kids is a nonprofit collaboration of credit unions, chapters, leagues/associations and business partners from across the country, engaged in fundraising activities to benefit 170 Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. Credit unions are the 3rd largest sponsor of CMN Hospitals. 
Professional Development


Schools may close for the summer, but LCUL's Education department does not take a break.  We've got a full lineup of trainings to help you succeed and thrive. Don't forget to take advantage of these upcoming educational opportunities for your staff and your volunteers:
 
University of Lending  
June 12-14, Baton Rouge
This nationally acclaimed program takes your lending program to the next level, and restores enthusiasm & excitement in your lending team. This 3-day workshop has helped hundreds of credit unions achieve dramatic improvements in their loan ratios, bottom lines & member service practices.  It also re-defines your lending policies to help you say YES to your members. (Hurry - Seating is Limited!)
 
This event is no longer exclusive to Supervisory Committee members...we now invite Boards of Directors to join us as well for this volunteer training event at the Golden Nugget Resort!  The education lineup includes a combination of general sessions on Risk Management, Preparing for CECL, Cybersecurity and more plus role-specific breakout sessions to dive deeper into subject matter that directly and separately affects Supervisory Committees  and Directors.   
 
Southeast Regional Director's Conference  
July 15 - 18 , West Palm Beach, FL
Every summer, ten Southeastern states converge for this premier education and networking event designed specifically for credit union directors.  This year, the League of Southeastern Credit Unions welcome you to Florida's beautiful West Palm Beach where session topics will include leadership, the economy, innovations and much more.
Peer Group Update

2018 YPN Workshop an Overwhelming Success; 5 Seasoned Executives Crash Event
LCUL's Young Professionals Network (YPN) hosted their 7th Annual workshop April 28-29 in Baton Rouge, uniting more than seventy attendees for engaging breakout sessions and unlimited networking.
 
During the two-day event, attendees learned about fostering business development from any department, looked at the economic state of Louisiana members, participated in a retirement simulation, learned how to create effective presentations and proposals and much more.

To top it off, five seasoned credit union professionals over 40 "CRASHED" the workshop to impart their wisdom at a roundtable discussion and other touchpoints throughout the workshop. This year's crashers included:
  • Helen Delin, NAS JRB CU
  • Jody Brooks, Louisiana Credit Union League
  • Cynthia Marshall, Neighbors FCU
  • Lindsey Richard, Pelican State CU
  • Tomica Simon, Pelican State CU. 
"As a reverse crasher, I was able to pick up on the group's enthusiasm immediately.  It was an honor and a privilege to engage with the young professionals in Louisiana and I look forward to seeing what their positive energy brings to the movement across our state," commented Delin.
 
"Whether you work on the frontline as a teller or you're a part of the executive management team, workshop attendees have one thing in common: the drive to better understand the movement and the determination to learn how to do our job the best we can," stated Michelle Jinks, CEO of Access of Louisiana FCU and Chair of the YPN Steering Committee.
 
A special thanks to those who made the event a success, including those in attendance. Your dedication to the future of the credit union movement was certainly alive and well.

Under 40 and interested in joining YPN or know someone at your CU who may be interested? Click here for details!

Products & Services

Insights from Catalyst:  The Building Blocks of Blockchain
catalyst Blockchain is a continuously growing list of digital records, called blocks, linked and secured to each other using cryptography. What does all this mean? And why should credit unions care? Catalyst Corporate's VP, Correspondent Services explains.
Click here to continue reading.
Have you Heard?

Neighbors Awards $15,000 in Tuition Assistance to 9 Local Students
Earlier this year, The Neighbors Capital Area Foundation announced its newest initiative, the Neighbors Way Tuition Assistance Award. Neighbors is proud to announce nine winners.

Schools participating in the Neighbors Mascot Checking Program were invited to nominate one graduating senior to receive the award. Students were nominated based on their character and commitment to living the "Neighbors Way." Nominated students exemplified the credit union's core values including: Integrity, Respect, Trust, Stability, Community Involvement, Honesty, Empathy, Ethical Behavior and Fairness.

 Ashley Hanna of Live Oak High School was the Grand Prize recipient, receiving $5,000 to attend the university of her choice.  Lauren Meades of Walker High School received the second highest award amount of $3,000.  The remaining seven recipients will be awarded $1,000:
  • Baker High School: Kelsey Gautier
  • Central High School: Raven Alexander
  • Denham Springs High School: Cameron Hamby
  • McKinley High School: Derrika Dorsey
  • Port Allen High School: Alyssa Williams
  • Southern University Lab School: Carrington Hall
  • Woodlawn High School: Xavier Roberson
 
Funds for the program have been raised through two major avenues including Neighbors' employee payroll donation program and the Foundation's annual fundraiser, Clays For A Cause. 

"We cannot be more excited for this tremendous impact on the lives of local students," Neighbors President and CEO Steve Webb said. "As the cost of higher education continues to rise, funds like these become increasingly important to provide an opportunity to students who might not have otherwise had the means to attend college."
 
Ascension CU Sweetens Up The Community
On Friday, May 4, Ascension CU (ACU) held their latest "Random Act of Kindness" at Amazing Glaze Donuts in Gonzales. ACU employees volunteered from 6:30 am to 9:00 am giving out free donuts and $25 vouchers to every person that walked through the door. 
 
Students, children and adults were smiling ear to ear as they found out that their donuts were free of charge. Donald Main, owner of Amazing Glaze Donuts, was very appreciative of the support that ACU gave to his small business.
 
On that same day, it was International Firefighters Day. Once ACU finished at Amazing Glaze Donuts, they purchased 8 dozen donuts and visited local fire departments to surprise them with free donuts. ACU wanted to show their gratitude towards the firefighters for all the hard work and care that they do!
 
Every couple of months, ACU will create an event that they call a "Random Act of Kindness". Their "Random Act of Kindness" allows them to surprise Ascension Parish residents and visitors with a kind act. Ascension CU takes pride in taking care of the Ascension community. 


Pelican State CU Celebrates CU Youth Month
Pelican State CU celebrates Credit Union Youth Month and National Financial Literacy Month each April. Spreading this awareness of financial education, literacy and wellness allows Pelican to impact more communities each year.
 
The credit union's Nationally Certified Credit Counselors completed thirty workshops with 1,579 attendees in the month of April in nine elementary schools and six high schools across Louisiana.
 
Pelican, along with other banks and credit unions in the Greater Baton Rouge Area, also helped organize the Jump$tart Financial $marts High School Budgeting Simulation in partnership with the Louisiana Jump$tart Coalition.

The event was held at Scotlandville Magnet High School and allowed sixty seniors to experience what real life budgeting will be like after graduation.


Quote of the Week:
"Always let your talent and tenacity do the talking. Never your tantrums or sense of self-righteousness or entitlement. Your talent and tenacity will carve out, shape and seal your possibilities."
- Rasheed Ogunlaru
Educational Calendar
Upcoming Conferences & Seminars from your League:

June 8-15: SRCUS CUNA Management School
June 12-14: University of Lending
June 24-26: Supervisory Committee Conference: Plus new Director's Track!
July 15-18: SRCUS Director's Conference
August 1-4: LCUL Annual Meeting & Convention
August 22-23: Branch Manager Forum 2.0

Upcoming Teleconferences & Webinars from your League:

May 16: FFIEC Third-Party Risk Guidance
May 17: Top Escrow Compliance Exam Issues, FAQs & Field Audits
May 22: ACH Error Resolution
May 23: Real Estate Loan Workouts, Deeds in Lieu, Short Sales, Foreclosures
May 24: Consumer Loan Documentation
May 30: Increasing Fee Income Without Raising Fees
May 31: Job-Specific Compliance Training for Lenders
June 5: Red Flags in
Residential Appraisal Compliance
June 6: Call Report Advanced
Lending Schedule
June 7: Forgeries, Counterfeits, Fraudulent EFTs & More: Who is Liable?
June 12: Overdraft Disclosure Requirements: Regulations, UDAAP & Legal Risks   
June 13: Beginning IT Officer Training
June 14: Understanding Employee Leave Policies
June 19: Safe Deposit Box Issues      
June 20: Reg E Requirements for Debit Card Error Resolution
June 21: Advertising Compliance for Electronic, Website, TV & Radio Promotions
June 26: Notary Essentials, Legalities & Best Practices
June 27: Opening Trust Accounts
June 28: Maximizing Social Networking Platforms
 
For a complete listing of educational opportunities available from LCUL, visit the League website and click on "Education".
  
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824 Elmwood Park Blvd, Suite 200, Harahan, LA  70123
(800) 452-7221   www.lcul.com