Keeping you connected to key credit union news, events, and trends: April 4, 2018
In This Issue
Headline News

LCUL is Bringing Rex Johnson's University of Lending to Louisiana!
You've been asking for it, and we've listened. In collaboration with Pelican State CU and NAS JRB CU, LCUL is excited to announce that the University of Lending (a Rex Johnson school) is coming to Louisiana!  
 
Are you ready to take your lending program to the next level, while restoring enthusiasm & excitement to your lenders?  This program has helped hundreds of credit unions achieve dramatic improvements in their loan ratios, bottom lines and member service practices. Your credit union will experience these same outstanding results and much more by implementing the proven strategies and successful techniques taught at this one-of-a-kind lending school.

Click here to learn more about a program designed to bring your credit union massive loan growth, increased loan yield, and record earnings by learning how to serve all of your members.
State GAC Less Than One Week Away, Attendees Encouraged to Submit Questions for Treasurer Schroeder

With LCUL's Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC) less than one week away, we encourage credit union professionals and volunteers to register for our most dynamic conference yet.
 
We are excited to have Louisiana State Treasurer John Schroeder join us for lunch on Tuesday, April 10. Bringing his business and entrepreneurial background to the State Capitol, he arrived in the Legislature at a crucial time in history. He is one of the founders of the House Fiscal Budget Hawks, a group of legislators committed to end wasteful government spending, balance the budget, and successfully pass legislation to end the practice of using one-time money on recurring expenses.
 
Interested in submitting a question for Treasurer Schroeder? Credit union advocates attending the 2018 State GAC can submit their questions to LCUL and we will try to include them in a special Q&A session (time permitting)
 
Click here to view the latest updated agenda or visit the League's website to for additional information including registration. 

Resources to Help Celebrate Financial Literacy Month with your Members

April marks National Financial Literacy Month and National Credit Union Youth Month, a time for credit unions to make it a priority to talk with their members - particularly youth - about the importance of financial literacy while teaching all consumers how to establish and maintain healthy financial habits. 
 
LCUL seeks feedback on your financial literacy efforts. Do you have in-school branches or school/classroom programs? Do you offer workshops or host community events? Email our communications team and let us know what you do at your credit union!

We encourage you to use the financial literacy tools the National Foundation has provided on its website. They include Empowering Youth to Save, the Berenstain Bears Financial Literacy Program, Biz Kid$, JumpStart, and more. Click here to access the resources.
 
Additional resources:
YPN

Register for Young Professionals Workshop, Reverse CRASH Program; Hotel Deadline Approaching!
LCUL's 7th Annual Young Professionals Workshop will take place from Friday, April 27 at 8:00 am to Saturday, April 28 at 11:30 am in Baton Rouge. This year, we are planning for our future and the future of our members. The annual workshop is designed to compel young professionals to get involved in the credit union movement, connect them with other young professionals, and encourage collaboration that will create long-term success for the credit union industry.
 
The workshop includes presentations on topics such as understanding our Louisiana members, business development and community engagement and creating effective proposals and presentations. Additionally, attendees will participate in round table discussions with "seasoned" credit union professionals and take part in a retirement simulation to help better prepare our members. Click here for a detailed agenda and to register! 

Reminder: The hotel room block closes on April 12. Make your accommodations today!

 
Over 40? You can still attend the workshop as a REVERSE CRASHER!

 For the second year, the YPN will be launching the Reverse Crash Program. The reverse crash program will be open to all "seasoned" credit union employees and volunteers that are 41 and older. Think anyone at your credit union has what it takes to be a reverse crasher? Let them know about this opportunity. Click here for more information and to apply!
Have you Heard?

Access of Louisiana FCU Celebrates Annual Meeting, Highlights Lucky Lagniappe Savings Account
Access of Louisiana FCU celebrated their 63rd annual meeting on Tuesday March 20 with a focus on introducing one of their newest products, the Lucky Lagniappe Savings Account. More than 200 members, guests, volunteers and staff attended the dinner as management provided credit union reporting and updates. At this time, the credit union announced the employee of the year (voted by the staff) and presented scholarships to two lucky high school students.
 
"Our annual meeting is the perfect time to showcase our successes while reminding them of our mission, and that's to be their financial partner in life. We were excited to introduce our latest product offering, the Lucky Lagniappe Savings, because it represents just that: an opportunity to teach our members about the importance of savings and becoming financially responsible. Our excitement about this new product along with the opportunity to meet with our members in more a casual environment truly made for a memorable event," commented Michelle Jinks, President/CEO.
 
The credit union has opened twenty-six accounts in the first two months. Collectively, Louisiana credit unions have helped members save more than $30,000 since the January 1 launch!
Pelican State Credit Union Invests in the St. Landry Parish Community
Because of the merger with St. Landry FCU in November 2017, Pelican membership is now open to all St. Landry Parish residents. To continue to invest in the St. Landry Parish community, Pelican hosted a Financial Wellness Workshop on Tuesday, March 27 in Opelousas.
 
Open to everyone, the free workshop was completely open to the public and took place at the Delta Grand Theatre. Attendees were treated to dinner, prizes and a chance to meet Pelican's Opelousas and Financial Outreach teams.
 
One of Pelican's six Nationally Certified Credit Counselors broke down credit reports for forty attendees. In addition to learning tips for improving and maintaining a healthy score, attendees asked countless questions after the presentation-including the difference between credit unions and banks.
 
"Pelican State Credit Union is excited to open credit union membership to the entire parish as we continue to serve the St. Landry community! We are dedicated to breaking down the barriers of traditional banking and providing St. Landry schools and our members with free financial wellness," added Pelican CEO Jeffrey K. Conrad.

  
Campus Federal Employees Volunteer For LSU Agriculture Week Day Of Service
Following their mission of community service and 'people helping people', Campus Federal employees participated in LSU Ag Week 2018-Day of Service to prepare over 10,000 meals for families in need.   Working alongside members of the LSU Agriculture staff and LSU Agriculture Student Association, Campus Federal employees helped complete the task in 2 hours at the LSU 4H Mini Barn.   
Leininger Joins National Federation in Presenting at Association of British Credit Unions Limited Conference in Manchester
The National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions led a delegation to present at the Association of British Credit Unions Limited (ABCUL) 2018 Annual Conference in Manchester earlier this month to share and compare experiences from both sides of the pond on the topics of financial inclusion and community development. Shasta Leininger from New Orleans Firemen's FCU had the unique opportunity to join the group and spend a few days participating in credit union site visits in London.

Also joining Federation President/CEO Cathie Mahon and SVP Pablo DeFilippi were representatives from One Detroit CU, Lower East Side People's FCU, Texas Community FCU, Opportunities CU and Manatee Community FCU. 
 
While in the UK, Cathie and Pablo spoke with Co-operative News about some of the opportunities and challenges facing CDCUs in the United States. Read their interviews here. 

Louisiana Federal, Shell Geismar Credit Unions Merge
Shell Geismar FCU members voted to merge with Louisiana FCU during a special membership meeting on March 15, creating a combined financial institution with more than $278 million in assets.
 
The merger required the approval of the National Credit Union Administration while the recent member vote was the final step in completing the approval process.
 
Louisiana FCU CEO Rhonda Hotard  will continue to lead the combined organization as President & CEO. Shell Geismar FCU's outgoing CEO Al Gray and board director Ronald Robichaux will join Louisiana FCU's board of directors. All existing Shell Geismar FCU employees will become part of the Louisiana FCU team.

The credit unions will legally merge effective March 31, 2018 with final systems integration on June 1, 2018. 
Quote of the Week:
"Try not to become a man of success. Rather become a man of value."
-- Albert Einstein
Educational Calendar
Upcoming Conferences & Seminars from your League:

April 10-11: Louisiana GAC
April 18: Share Accounts Advanced
April 25: BSA Officer Training
April 27-28: Young Professionals Workshop
May 2: Supplemental Training Opportunity
May 9-10: Financial Technologies Conference

Upcoming Teleconferences & Webinars from your League:

April 5: Dealing with Dormant Accounts, Unclaimed Property & Escheatment
April 10: Small Business Lending: Identifying Potential Credit Problems
April 11: Developing a Strong Risk Assessment for Enterprise Risk Management
April 12: Impact of Regulation CC Rule Changes on RDC & ACH
April 17: How to Complete & File UCC-1 Financing Statements
April 18: Compliance Rules All Staff Must Know
April 19: Top 25 Things to Know About Reg CC Changes Before July 1, 2018
April 25: Overseeing Credit Union Performance: The Role of Audit
April 26: Denied Loan Requirements: Consumer, Commercial & Real Estate
     
For a complete listing of educational opportunities available from LCUL, visit the League website and click on "Education".
  
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