Keeping you connected to key credit union news, events, and trends: February 22, 2017
In This Issue
Headline News

Louisiana-Specific Information Distributed to CUNA GAC Attendees 
Louisiana credit union advocates who are attending the 2017 CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference should have received an email yesterday outlining Louisiana-specific activities. For your convenience, several items are available on our GAC web page:
  • Briefing Materials which will also be available in your CUNA GAC registration packets
  • Acadiana Grill/Briefing Sign Up
  • CULAC Sweepstakes Prizes and Forms for pre-sale tickets
  • Tax Exempt Letters
  • Dennis Dollar Pre-GAC Thoughts Update
  • Scheduled Hill Visits (still in progress)
  • King Cake Party Info (Don't forget your Mardi Gras colors for entry into a special drawing)
In addition, we will again be utilizing our text messaging system. If you have not yet responded but would like to be included please contact Angela Gervais, Director of Governmental Affairs This information will only be used during the 2017 CUNA GAC for LA attendee specific information.

For more information or questions, please contact Angela Gervais.
CUAnalyzer Introductory Training Webinar Now Archived for Louisiana CUs
The Louisiana Credit Union League announced our partnership with Callahan and Associates allowing member credit unions FREE access to the web-based financial analysis tool called CUAnalyzer. 

Callahan & Associates and LCUL hosted an introductory training webinar for Louisiana credit unions last week. The webinar has now been archived for those unable to participate.

Click here to view the training video.
      
NCUA Region III/League Dialogue Meeting:
Part 2 of LCUL's 3 Part Series
NCUA
Last month, Region III league executives accepted NCUA Region III Director Myra Toeppe's invitation to participate in a dialogue with key Region III staff about current regulatory and examination issues.  This article is the second installment highlighting key areas of importance to Louisiana credit unions:
 
Extended Exam Schedule  
As described in NCUA Letter to CU's 16-CU-12, the agency is working on implementing changes that became effective on January 1, 2017, including:
  • Transition to 12 to 18-month exam schedule dependent on credit union factors such as financial trends, risks, and other factors to be determined on a case-by-case  basis
  • Improved coordination with state supervisors to better align scheduling practices
  • More deliberate examination preplanning by examiners, including providing federally-insured CU's with at least 4 weeks advanced notice when scheduling the exam
  • Improved coordination of document requests tailored to the CU's risk profile and product offerings
  • Better pre-examination planning to maximize the productivity of onsite examination work
  • Emphasis on improved communication between examiners and CU management and officials
Tips for Communicating with Your Examiner
  • CU management should ask their CPA to speak to the NCUA examiner when there is a differing of advice in the allowance for loan and lease losses (ALLL) area.  The NCUA exam process takes a closer view of actual loan files than the CPA audit which can lead to varied perspectives on the allowance needed
  • CU's should be aware of the appeals process which is led by the Supervisory Review Committee
  • CU's can ask examiners to provide citations from regulations or NCUA guidance if there is a concern in the basis of the examiner's findings
February Dividend, Loan Pricing Guidelines Available on LCUL Website
LCUL  is pleased to provide affiliated credit unions with monthly dividend and loan pricing guidelines, as well as Money Market Trends, available via our website at ( www.lcul.com ).

Guidelines for February 201 7 have just been posted. Click here to access the link . These guidelines are provided by Dr. Charles R. Idol, ALM Consulting & Research. Dr. Idol can be reached at (423) 212-0690 or cridol@charter.net .
Just for Fun:  7 Phrases That Scream Lack of Confidence (and Make You Look Weak)
If you want others to believe in you, you must believe in your own value and act in a way that conveys confidence. The words you choose will help you to exude confidence--or make you look weak. Never underestimate the power of words.

Here are seven phrases to avoid, especially in the work environment. As you weed them out of your vocabulary, in spoken and written form, you will notice a visible change in how people perceive you. You will also notice a change in how you feel about yourself as your level of confidence grows.
Products and Services

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Join LSC TODAY for a FREE webinar to learn how EZ Launch can be the right program for your credit union, whether you currently offer a credit card or not.

 If you don't currently have a credit card program in place, EZ Launch is the affordable, low-risk, convenient way to generate ongoing revenue.
EZ Launch is also interested in purchasing existing card programs. We would love to opportunity to talk to you about your current portfolio.

 To register for this free webinar, simply click here.

Have You Heard?

Southern Teachers and Parents FCU Hosts Retirement Celebration
The Southern Teachers and Parents FCU honored four retirees at a celebration on January 8, 2017. The honorees included Eldridge P. Etienne, CEO who served twenty five years  at the credit union as Assistant Manager and CEO; Katherine D. Lemelle who served as Loan/Compliance/Training Manager during her tenure for fifteen years; Maxine Y. Robinson worked as a Teller for twenty years at our Thibodaux branch; and Julia J. Gage worked for the credit union as an Administrative Assistant for six years. 

Friends and family of the honorees joined members of the Board of Directors and staff for this event at the Royal Cotillion Ballroom,  Smith-Brown Memorial Union, Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge. Congratulations to the retirees and best wishes on this new chapter!

(L to R): Eldridge P. Etienne, Katherine D. Lemelle, Maxine  Y. Robinson, Julia J. Gage

Xplore FCU Helps Tornado Victims
On February 7, a tornado touched down in New Orleans East, damaging property and injuring several residents. The tornado was the strongest on record for Orleans Parish, and city officials report that the tornado severely damaged 300 structures including homes, schools and business. Xplore FCU partnered with Schaumburg Elementary School; and in one business day, they collected: 150 Backpacks, 100 Notebooks, 100 Packs of Crayons, 40 packs of Pencils, 4 Printers & 5 Monitors.

 Todd E. Pereira, Business Development Manager, said, "It's amazing what we accomplished in just one day. The kids were beyond thrilled and found pure joy in the supplies we donated. It's outstanding what we can do when we come together. Please continue to keep these families in your thoughts."


NAS JRB CU Participates in Deployment Readiness Training

On Saturday February 18, NAS JRB CU attended Deployment Readiness Training on the NAS JRB New Orleans installation.  This event was held to provide training and resources to sailors and their families that are preparing for an upcoming deployment. The day-long event consisted of special guest speakers that provided break-out topics such as "Financial Freedom, "Creating a Family Communication Plan", and "Adjusting Legally".

Over 50 families came from all over. The credit union took this opportunity to educate attendees not only about the credit union, but the importance of being a member of any credit union, especially during the time of deployment.  

 

New Orleans Firemen's FCU Holds Life Simulation Training To Better Understand Members
On January 16, New Orleans Firemen's FCU (NOFFCU) hosted a Life Simulation training event for their entire staff in order to help their employees better understand potential situations their members may find themselves in.

Simulation participants were randomly assigned different roles within family units, and given the task to live out a month given different circumstances and backgrounds for each family unit. They had to pay their bills, take care of their families, navigate transportation, apply for a job, and handle "life events" that could affect their family unit in positive or negative ways. The purpose of the simulation was to give NOFFCU employees a glimpse into the daily reality of American families so that they would have a better understanding of what issues members are facing and find ways to assist them.

Mark Lynch with the National Credit Union Foundation facilitated the simulation along with local volunteers and staff from the Louisiana Credit Union League.

Shasta Leininger, Chief Development Officer of NOFFCU, stated, "We were excited to partner with the National Credit Union Foundation to bring this training to our staff. We wanted our employees to experience a day in the life of our members. It was a very effective training exercise, and we were pleased with the feedback from our staff".


Quote of the Week:
"My responsibility is getting all my players playing for the name on the front of the jersey, not the one on the back." 
- Unknown

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Educational Calendar
Upcoming Conferences & Seminars from your League:    

March 24-25: YPN Workshop
April 26: BSA Officer Training 
 
Upcoming Teleconferences & Webinars from your League

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?
March 2: Compliance Questions & Issues in Deploying Mobile Remote Deposit Capture
March 7: UDAAP Challenges: Practices, Risk Mitigation, Expectations & Case Studies
March 8: Hot Issues in Cyber Compliance, Including Recent Changes to the IT Handbook
March 9: How to Audit Deposit Operations for Reg CC & D Compliance
March 14: Fair Lending Risks in Third-Party Relationships
March 15: Flood Compliance in Lending Part 2: Post Loan Closing
March 16: Regulation E Series: Regulation E Requirements for Debit Card Error Resolution: Processing, Disclosure & Investigation
March 22: Securing Collateral Part 1: Form UCC-1, Initial Filing & Perfection of Security Interests
March 28: Director Series: The Board Evaluation Process: Steps, Tools & More
March 29: 20 Common Collection Pitfalls
March 30: ACH Specialist Series: ACH Rules Update 2017 
     
For a complete listing of educational opportunities available from LCUL, visit the League website and click on "Education".
  
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