Headline News

Are You Doing Your Part When it Comes to Financial Literacy? Help Us Share Your Story with Policymakers & Consumers
Last week, LCUL distributed a statewide financial literacy survey for Louisiana credit unions. Collecting this information will allow us to show legislators and community leaders the extent to which credit unions advance financial literacy and decision-making. Survey responses will be a sustainable source of data and statistics that will provide us with fuel for public awareness, advocacy, and related outreach efforts.
 
It is vital that we have strong participation in this survey, which is broken down into three separate parts: adult/youth financial literacy initiatives and serving the underbanked. Please have a credit union representative complete this survey by Wednesday, October 3. Additionally, data and information gathered will be accessible to affiliated credit unions.
 
Email  Lacey Weaver, Senior VP of Member Engagement, for survey access.
Registration Open for CUNA GAC; Hotel Booking Link Available for Louisiana Participants
Registration is now open for the 2019 CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference, scheduled for March 10-14, in Washington, D.C.
 
The CUNA GAC is considered the premier event for political impact in the credit union industry, drawing thousands of credit union advocates from across the country each year. 
Notably, the conference will include:
  • networking with nationwide credit union leaders;
  • keynote sessions from thought leaders in politics, business and media;
  • breakout sessions that explore regulatory compliance and advocacy issues;
  • advocacy meetings with lawmakers on Capitol Hill; and
  • the financial industry's largest exhibit hall.
LCUL recently distributed the hotel booking link for attendees to make their reservations. For more information on accommodations, contact Angela Gervais, VP of Advocacy.

2nd Qtr LA Credit Union Profiles & Milestones Report Available on LCUL Website
LCUL works with CUNA's Economics & Statistics Department to analyze quarterly data submitted by credit unions to NCUA and then provides a quarterly report showing trends in various areas including loan & savings growth, risk trends, membership trends, and more.

We also provide a "milestones" report that looks at top credit unions in the areas of loan penetration, share draft penetration, and average savings balances; this report also highlights credit unions that have reached and exceeded certain amounts for assets, members, and loans. 

The reports for the 2nd Quarter of 2018 are now complete and have been posted to the League's website. Click here to can access the reports directly.

Professional Development

New Enhanced Agenda for LCUL's Marketing & Business Development Conference!
October 10-11
Golden Nugget Casino

LCUL makes it a top priority to ensure attendees make the most of their educational experiences, so we've added even more content to our already jam packed schedule for our upcoming marketing and business development conference.

That's right, we're bringing you more content with even better opportunities to network (which leads to even more takeaways!) Click on the link below for a complete agenda. 

Remember, you can come for the full 2-day workshop OR choose the day that best suits your training needs. 

Get the Scoop on Important Upcoming Workshops
They year may be winding down, but the education department is not!  We still have plenty of upcoming workshops planned for your staff.  Click on the titles below to learn more.
 
David Reed brings his discussion of bankruptcy recovery and loss reduction concepts to Jackson, MS and Mississippi invites all Louisiana credit unions to join in.  This is the perfect way to sharpen your skills in this debtor friendly world as we examine the current state of consumer bankruptcy and its impact credit unions.  (Please note this program is not eligible for SBET grants).
 
Understanding Key Ratios
November 7
Metairie, LA   
Interpreting ratios can be challenging to those who work with them on a regular basis, but for those professionals who work with them infrequently they can seem downright daunting. Tim Gardner will focus on at the 5 most common ratios and break down the analysis into its simplest terms to better understand your credit unions profitability, productivity and efficiency. 
 
IRA Update
Alexandria, LA
November 13
This IRA Update and Review class is designed for those who are looking for a refresher course as well as product updates and compliance changes.  Although it is not designed for those who are new to IRAs, Debbie Crawford will cover enough basics to give you a solid foundation before diving into slightly more advanced material.

Transaction Talk

6 Reasons Why it's Important for CUs to Offer Gift Cards
More than half of the American population purchased at least one prepaid card in 2017. If your credit union is not currently offering a gift or prepaid debit card, chances are that you're missing out on a
valuable form of revenue and an equally valuable opportunity to expand your member base and  relevancy to your current members.

Don't just take out word for it; here are 6 reasons why your credit union should offer a gift card to your  members today...
Have you Heard?

4 Louisiana CUs Earn CDFI Fund; Nearly $34.5 Million to Credit Unions Serving Low-Income Communities
The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) announced grants and loans to 302 organizations, including four Louisiana credit unions:
  • Engage FCU, $650,000
  • Ouachita Valley FCU, $1,250,000
  • Southwest Louisiana CU, $950,000
  • University of Louisiana FCU, $950,000
Forty-eight credit unions were given CDFI awards this year for a total of $34.5 million. The Federation congratulates all 2018 CDFI credit union awardees of Technical Assistance (TA), Financial Assistance (FA) and Healthy Food Financing Initiative Financial Assistance Awards (HFFI-FA).
 
The National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions (Federation) advocates on behalf of low-income consumers to gain greater access to safe and responsible credit union products and services. As the leading CDFI advocate promoting financial inclusion, the Federation works to increase CDFI Fund investments in the growth and expansion of credit unions in some of this country's lowest income communities.
Campus Federal Volunteers at LSU Human Resources "Red Stick Roux" Event
Campus Federal volunteered at the LSU Human Resources "Red Stick Roux: The Best of Baton Rouge Livin'" event on Saturday, September 15 at the LSU Rural Life Museum. The luncheon was held to welcome all new LSU faculty and staff who started employment within the last calendar year.
 
Attendees enjoyed a warm welcome and spent the day learning about the rich history, culture and cuisine of our region. Dr. Stacia Haynie and Dr. Mimi Lee of LSU greeted the attendees on behalf of the LSU Human Resources department and the university. LSU graduate, celebrity chef and local personality, Chef Jay Ducote, was on hand to give a cooking demonstration and to share his passion for Louisiana food. Campus Federal volunteers provided support to the LSU Human Resources team to assist with serving lunch and refreshments.


Pelican Hosts Kickoff Party for Peabody Magnet High School
Pelican State CU hosted their Annual Peabody Kickoff Party on September 6. Forty-two students participated by first opening a Team Pelican youth account or making a transaction to their existing Pelican account.
 
The event started off with a ribbon cutting ceremony and was followed with breakfast, games and door prize drawings! Participating students were entered to win gift cards, and they could earn an extra entry by telling everyone what they were saving up for. One of Pelican's Nationally Certified Credit Counselors connected one-on-one with students who were saving up to buy their first vehicle!
 
The Peabody branch is student-run and has 20 student volunteers assisting during the 2018-2019 school year. Pelican is proud to empower the next generation with financial wellness skills!


Quote of the Week:
"Someone once told me growth and comfort do not coexist. And I think it's a really good thing to remember."
- Ginni Rometty



Educational Calendar
Upcoming Conferences & Seminars from your League:

October 10-11: Marketing & Business Development Conference
November 7: Understanding Key Ratios
November 13: IRA Update

Upcoming Teleconferences & Webinars from your League:

October 2: Call Reports & Financial Statements & Schedules B-E
October 3: Proper Preparation of the TRID Loan Estimate & Closing Disclosure
October 4: The Fair Labor Standards Act: Dos & Don'ts of Exempt & Nonexempt Pay Issues
October 9: Cyber Threats: Prevention, Detection & Response
October 10: Mortgage Lender Training Part 2
October 11: Opening Accounts for Nonresident Aliens
October 16: IRA Conversions, Recharacterizations & Excess Contributions
October 17: Payment Systems Rules & Regulations for ACH, Cards, Wires & Checks
October 18: Understanding Title Insurance Policies, Commitments & ALTA Endorsements
October 24: Identifying Red Flags in Board Reports
October 25: Best Practices for a Successful Internal Audit
October 30: Analyzing Common TRID Compliance Violations
October 31: Job-Specific Compliance Training for Deposit Operations

For a complete listing of educational opportunities available from LCUL, visit the League website and click on "Education".