Keeping you connected to key credit union news, events, and trends: October 17, 2018
In This Issue
Headline News

It's a Busy Week for Credit Unions: Check it Out!
CU Lunch Local is officially underway!  As if having an excuse to dine at one of your favorite local restaurants isn't a good enough reason to participate, you'll also have the great feeling knowing that you're supporting a locally owned and operated business. Don't forget to submit your receipts to your team leader or Jason Swint, LCUL Office Services Director. Remember, small receipts add up to a big investment in our communities when we join together.
 
In addition,  LCUL's YPN across the state are joining forces to engage with our state's youth on spending, saving and sharing money. They will be educating them on the importance of personal finance through a reading of the "The Berenstain Bears' Trouble with Money." Each student will also receive a copy of the book to take home.

Click here to check out local coverage in Alexandria from yesterday's readings! 

These celebrations and more are being held in honor of tomorrow's International Credit Union (ICU) Day, a day when credit unions  all over the world will be celebrating the history and the success of the "People-not-Profit" philosophy.The day of festivities for credit unions and financial cooperatives globally include fundraisers, open houses, contests, picnics and parades.
 
A little something to share with your members:

Celebrate International Credit Union Day!

Louisiana credit unions are asked to email your ICU Day initiatives, stories and pictures to  LCUL's communications department  so that we can include them in our coverage.
LCUL Submits Comment Letter to FCC Re: Interpretation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act
NCUA Earlier this month the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau issued a notice on Further Comment regarding TCPA in Light of the Ninth Circuits Mark v. Crunch San Diego, LLC Decision.

The ability of a credit union to communicate directly, effectively and efficiently with its members is essential. With that in mind your LCUL submitted a comment letter to the FCC on behalf of Louisiana Credit Unions to encourage the FCC to find the proper balance that protects consumers from unwanted telemarketing calls from companies and organizations, but without taking away the valuable communications with those entities with which they have an established relationship such as their credit union that they may seek to strengthen.
Click here to view the letter.
CUNA's Upcoming Webinars 'Open Eyes' to Credit Unions
The launch of CUNA's "Open Your Eyes to a Credit Union" early next year is fast approaching. This program gives the unique opportunity to amplify the voices of credit unions across the country by speaking with a united voice.

CUNA needs the continued and growing support of leagues, credit unions, and business partners. Three webinars related to the Creating Awareness Initiative are planned to provide background and information about the developing initiative, and to create some exciting buzz and interest at the same time.

Details about the webinars:
LCUL Contributes $2,500 to National Foundation for Hurricane Michael Relief Efforts; CUs Can Donate Through CU Aid
The National Credit Union Foundation activated CUAid to involve the entire credit union community in financial support for the states affected by Hurricane Michael. Credit unions who wish to donate can do so by clicking here.
 
Louisiana knows all to well the aftermath of a devastating flood. The Louisiana Credit Union League has contributed $2,500 to the disaster relief efforts. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone as they begin the recovery process.

Professional Development

Does Your Staff Understand Key Credit Union Ratios? If Not, They Should! 
When someone has a question about the meaning of one of your credit union's ratios, do you slink down in your chair hoping that they ask someone else? Do you even know how to calculate the most commonly used ratios like Return on Assets or Net Interest Margin? More importantly do you know what the results mean and the story it tells about your credit union's profitability and productivity?
 
If you are not quite certain what those numbers mean or how to properly interpret the results, fear no longer.  LCUL is brining Tim Gardner, a self-professed enthusiast of helping credit union professionals understand ratios, to the New Orleans area on November 7 for a one-day interactive workshop.   

After this session you will have a better understanding of where your credit unions stacks up against the competition, and where there is room for improvement and growth.  You will leave armed with knowledge and information to set tangible goals on an individual level, department level and goals for success for your entire credit union. 
 

Have you Heard?

Baton Rouge Telco FCU Receives National Excellence Award for Innovative Approach to the Traditional Call Center
Baton Rouge Telco FCU (Telco) was recently honored with an Excellence Award recognizing innovative solutions optimizing credit union performance.

The award was presented by the CUNA Operations & Member Experience Council, a national network comprised of more than 900 credit union operations and member experience professionals across the United States. Awards are given in each of four categories, including Branch Design, Contact Center/E-Support, Miscellaneous, and Sales & Service Management.

Telco won the Contact Center/E-Support Operations category for its entry, entitled "Redefining the Traditional Call Center". With this approach, Telco's calls are distributed to all front-line employees at four branch locations where no single employee spends more than 20 hours per week answering calls. This approach has resulted in shorter wait times, more thorough help time for our members, and a much lower than peer call abandon rate. The operational efficiency created by this approach allows Telco to pass these savings onto its members.

Award winners were recognized at the CUNA Operations & Member Experience Council's 21st annual conference held September 12-15 in San Francisco, CA. 
Campus Federal Assembles Brown Bag Meals for the Drop-In Center at One Stop Homeless Services Center
Campus Federal employees scheduled time during the credit union's annual Staff Development Day at the Lod Cook Conference Center at LSU to assemble brown bag meals for Volunteers of America to deliver to the Drop-In Center at the One Stop Homeless Services Center.
 
The Drop-In Center provides case management and a place for homeless individuals to do their laundry, shower, receive mail and use the telephone or computer. The Center does not have a budget for meals and relies on volunteers from the community to provide brown bag lunches for approximately 100 people they serve per day.

In the spirit of the credit union's mission, "people helping people," the Campus Federal team provided 100 meals to Volunteers of America to deliver to the One Stop Homeless Services Center for their Drop-In Center.
Wymar FCU Selected as 2018 Best Places to Work in Baton Rouge
Congratulations to Wymar FCU for being selected as one of 2018's Best Places to Work in Baton Rouge by The Greater Baton Rouge Business Report.
 
"This has been such an exciting experience and we are setting even higher goals for ourselves for next year. This couldn't be possible without the hard work of our great staff, Board of Directors, Supervisory Committee, and most importantly - our loyal members. We do it all for them," commented Ronnie Stephens, President/CEO.


Pelican State CU Merges with LAWILIFIE CU
Pelican State CU merged with LAWILIFIE CU ($2.2 million) on Monday, October 1.
 
LAWILIFIE CU, established in 1958 in Baton Rouge, sought mergers from larger credit unions with a presence across the state in order to provide enhanced products and outreach to its 350 members.  Pelican will continue to serve the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and their families, which was the main Select Employer Group of LAWILIFIE.
 
"We are so excited to welcome LAWILIFE Credit Union members to our family! We look forward to growing our relationship with our newest members and providing them with innovative products and services," said Pelican CEO Jeffrey K. Conrad. 
 
Quote of the Week: 
"It is the long history of humankind that those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed."
- Charles Darwin

Educational Calendar
Upcoming Conferences & Seminars from your League:

November 7: Understanding Key Ratios
November 13: IRA Update

Upcoming Teleconferences & Webinars from your League:

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
November 1: Form 1099 Reporting
November 6: ACH Liabilities & Warranties for ODFIs: Reducing Your Exposure
November 7: Proper Repossession, Notice & Sale of Non-Real Estate Collateral
November 8: Lending to Churches & Other Nonprofit Organizations
November 13: Mortgage Lender Training Part 3
November 14: Robbery Preparedness: Requirements & Proven Strategies
November 15: Member Business Lending: Risks, Rewards, Controls & Common Mistakes
November 27: Your Borrower Has Died: Actions to Take, Mistakes to Avoid
November 28: Top 10 IRA Rollover Mistakes
November 29: Managing & Mitigating Card-Not-Present Fraud

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