Keeping you connected to key credit union news, events, and trends: January 4, 2017
In This Issue
Headline News

New Year, New Services: LCUL Offering Added Benefits in 2017! 
From all of us here at the Louisiana Credit Union League, we'd like to welcome you to the new year. In 2017, we not only promise to continue providing ongoing support to our credit unions, but to go above and beyond in bringing added value to your membership. In the coming weeks, LCUL will be rolling out new initiatives, tools and resources that are sure to benefit credit unions of all sizes. Keep a look out for League updates as we introduce these new services and, as always, don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything.

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to working together in 2017 and beyond.
'Huge Opportunity' for CUs: Nussle Q&A on Campaign for Common Sense Regulation
CUNA President & CEO Jim Nussle sees 2017 as the strongest year yet for possible credit union advocacy victories on the regulatory relief front.

With a new administration interested in reducing regulations and a pro-credit union majority in Congress, Nussle says the industry is poised for an even more successful year than 2016, when CUNA, the leagues and their member credit unions achieved a number of significant victories, including reduced frequency of examinations, new field-of-membership rules, and much more.

Click here to continue reading.

Upcoming Webinar:
 
To educate credit unions for the coming regulatory battles, CUNA will host a Campaign Kickoff Webinar on Jan. 10 at 1:00 p.m.
 
The session will include information about the campaign, the messaging, the need for sustained and intense engagement, and first steps for involvement, including signing up for MAP and taking advantage of upcoming congressional recesses. Click here to register.

Children's Miracle Network, CUs for Kids Announce #VoteForMiracles Campaign Winners; Louisiana Hospital Places Fourth
Winning hospitals will share in a $100,000 on behalf of America's credit unions and CO-OP Financial Services
 
Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and Credit Unions for Kids announced the five winners of the 2016 "Vote for Miracles" promotion.  Over the course of 22 days, almost 300,000 votes were cast for 141 CMN Hospitals.  In addition, members representing more than 2,500 credit unions cast votes during the campaign.
 
Walking away with the top prize of $50,000 with 43,375 votes, was Hurley Children's Hospital in Flint, Michigan.  The funds will go directly towards the hospitals new Pediatric Private Patient Rooms initiative.  
 
Finishing in second place with 37,494 votes and winner of $20,000, was Mercy Health - Children's Hospital in Toledo, Ohio. Rounding out the top five were El Paso Children's in third with 24,622 votes; Children's Hospital - New Orleans in fourth with 20,664 votes and Children's Hospital of Georgia in Augusta, which used a late rally to finish fifth with 18,068 votes.   These CMN Hospitals will be awarded $15,000, $10,000 and $5,000 respectively.



Professional Development

Back by Popular Demand: LCUL's 2017 Education Kicks Off With Pierre Cardenas' Lending School 
January 25-26, Baton Rouge

Back by popular demand, Pierre Cardenas will be kicking off LCUL's 2017 education opportunities with an new Lending School on January 25-26. 

Helping you to renovate and reinvigorate your credit union's Lending Program is his #1 priority (and it should be yours too!) Pierre believes strongly that learning happens best not by looking at vague textbook concepts but by applying your own credit union and your own members into the interactive learning process.

Over the course of the two days, some of your own credit union's materials will double as instrumental classroom course materials. Be prepared to bring a copy your own credit union's lending policy as well as 1 or 2 underwritten loans to be evaluated and discussed openly among the group.  

Here's a little of what you can expect from this 2 day program:
  • Evaluation of Current Lending Market
  • Understanding the limitations in your own lending policy
  • Strategic underwriting practices
  • Innovative strategic lending partnerships
  • Turning things around - A CU lending department case study
  • Scaling your lending through technology
  • Data mining and retention lending strategies
  • Proactive lending as opposed to order taking
  • Critical components of a successful lending sales environment.

Click here for more details and to secure your spot!
Products & Services

Catalyst Corporate: What Can We Expect in 2017?
The beginning of a new year brings a new administration and most likely, a new economic agenda. What will that mean for the economy? Steven Rick, chief economist for CUNA Mutual Group, will share his thoughts on potential economic developments during his presentation at Catalyst Corporate's Accelerating Success Conference next month.

 According to Rick, when the same party holds the majority in congress and the White House, there is less resistance and opposition when it comes to enacting changes. "We could see faster economic growth in 2017," said Rick, noting that the Trump administration has proposed policies with economic stimulus. "In 2016, the economy grew at about 1.8 percent. This year, it should grow anywhere from 2.4-2.8 percent."

Click here to continue reading. 

Condolences 

Passing of Thomas Atkins
Thomas Atkins, husband of Kraftman FCU CEO and LCUL Board Member Tina Atkins, passed away following an extended illness on December 27, 2016 at the Overton Brooks V.A. Medical Center in Shreveport. Our thoughts and prayers are with Tina and her family.
Have You Heard?

BRECO FCU Aims to Fight Hunger in the Community
BRECO FCU members and employees are on a mission to help feed those in need.  During the month of December, monetary donations were accepted at participating credit union locations, and used to purchase family meal bags.  These, as well as other food donations were delivered to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank.

"BRECO was proud to be a part of the Baton Rouge Food Bank Feed a Family this Christmas" stated Charlotte Matthews, Member Service Representative for BRECO.  "It warms my heart that our employees, members, and community helped to make this a success."  
 
Quote of the Week:
"Become the kind of leader that people would follow voluntarily; even if you had no title or position." 
- Brian Tracy

Educational Calendar
Upcoming Conferences & Seminars from your League:    

January 25-26:
  Lending School with Pierre Cardenas
February 7-8: Regulatory Compliance School 2017
 
Upcoming Teleconferences & Webinars from your League

January 5: Cross Selling Products & Services: Compliance with TCPA & FCRA
January 9: ADA Website Compliance Requirements & Common Errors
January 11: Asset-Liability Management Overview
January 17: Loan Underwriting Basics: Interviewing, Credit Reports, Debt Ratios & Regulation B
January 18: Identifying Fraudulent Transactions: Including Recent FinCEN Advisory on Email Fraud Schemes
January 19: ACH Specialist Series: Direct Deposit Tax Refunds: Posting & Exceptions
January 23: Part 1 - New FFIEC Consumer Compliance Rating System, Effective March 31, 2017: Oversight & Compliance Management Program
January 24: Same Day ACH: Lessons Learned & FAQs for RDFIs
January 25: IRA & HSA Review & Update, Including New Fiduciary Rule Implications
January 26: Procedural & Compliance Responsibilities of the Board Secretary
January 31: Auditing Call Reports
February 1: Developing & Managing a Consumer Complaint Program - Avoiding Reputational Damage
February 6: The New World of Debt Collection: What Recent CFPB Actions Indicate About the Future of Regulations & Enforcement
February 7: Regulation E Series: Handling Provisional Credit Under Reg E: Rules, Best Practices & FAQs
February 8: Real Estate Series: Understanding TRID Tolerance Cures
February 13: Part 2 - New FFIEC Consumer Compliance Rating System, Effective
February 14: Military Lending Act: Exam Procedure Changes, Post-Implementation Considerations & FAQs
February 16: BSA Compliance Series: FinCEN's CDD Rules & BSA Compliance: Why Preparing Now for the Fifth Pillar is Critical
February 21: Risk Management Series: Developing an Enterprise-Wide Risk Assessment
February 22: Flood Compliance in Lending Part 1: Loan Origination
February 23: Collection Law Essentials: Legalities, Landmines & More
February 27: Everything You Need to Know About Regulation CC: Holds, Funds Availability, Compliance & More
February 28: Imaged Documents: What to Keep, What to Destroy, What Holds Up in Court?
     
For a complete listing of educational opportunities available from LCUL, visit the League website and click on "Education".
  
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(800) 452-7221   www.lcul.com