Keeping you connected to key credit union news, events, and trends: October 24, 2018
In This Issue
Headline News

Registration Now Open for LCUL's Enhanced FiCEP Program: Become a Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor in 2019!
There's No Better Way to Help Your Members Succeed
 
We are excited to open enrollment for LCUL's 2019 Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor Program (FiCEP). LCUL proudly embarks on our 7th year presenting an enhanced version of CUNA's program with webinar tutorials and live trainings.

Those who successfully complete the program and exams will earn their Credit Union Certified Financial Counselor (CCUFC) Designation. Click here for more information on the program.

 Who should become a Certified Financial Counselor?
Anyone desiring to become one should have the opportunity to do so, but we especially recommend this program for Lending Staff, Collections Staff, Branch Managers, Trainers and Educators.
 
Are you ready to join the ranks of the 350+ Certified Financial Counselors currently serving  Louisiana's Credit Union Members? Contact Jody Brooks, LCUL VP of Professional Development for more information.
 
Registration closes December 14, 2018 to ensure timely arrival of books.
Have You Checked Out LCUL's New Website?
Expanded content and enhanced navigation make the new site more efficient for member credit unions

To meet the needs of our membership, LCUL launched a redesigned website boasting dramatic improvements in navigation, uniformity, appearance, and accessibility. The launch of the new website is part of our ongoing efforts to enhance the quality and availability of information.
 
"Our site has become a source of information for not only credit union staff and volunteers but also consumers, legislators and the local media," said Lacey H. Weaver, Senior VP of Member Engagement. "As we move further into a digital age, it is important to expand our website's versatility and convenience. This project will continue to be a work in progress, and our engagement team will continue to evaluate the content and functionality to ensure that the site is meeting the needs of our membership."

Members now benefit from richer online content. This is a result of listening to credit unions and gaining valuable feedback. Let's keep the conversation going. Should you have any questions or wish to provide feedback on LCUL's new website, please email [email protected].   
 
Users can click here for more information on creating an account for the new website. 

National Federation of CDCUs Rebrands
The National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions has changed its name to Inclusiv.
 
"The Inclusiv name grows out of the organization's commitment to financial inclusion and its dedication to ensuring access to responsible financial products and services delivered at an affordable cost in a fair and transparent manner," the organization said in a press release.
 
The announcement was made at the organization's annual conference in Clearwater, Fla. Click here to read the full release.

Lending Guide Enables Financial Institutions to Serve Diverse Populations; Grow Revenue
Coopera, Inclusiv, PolicyWorks and Filene collaborate to enable rapid scale of needed financial access  


An Implementation Guide for Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) Lending is now available for financial institutions to provide access to loans for consumers that may not traditionally have access to these services.
 
For a large segment of the U.S. population without a social security number, access to vital financial resources or being able to build credit has been historically difficult. At the same time, community-oriented financial institutions, including both banks and credit unions, seek new and sustainable points of differentiation and sources of revenue.

Professional Development

Don't Get Spooked by Key Credit Union Ratios: Tim Gardner Makes it Easy for Everyone!
When someone has a question about the meaning of one of your credit union's ratios, do you sink 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. 
 
Click here for more information and to sign up now!
 

Pelican Politics

Latest Issue of Pelican Politics Covers Midterm Elections, Credit Union Supporters
With midterm elections right around the corner, LCUL wanted to share some background information on incumbents in terms of credit union support. On a state level, all 144 legislative districts (both senate and house) have four-year terms. There is no one running this November but they will all be up for re-election in November 2019.
 
On a national level, four hundred and seventy seats in the U.S. Congress (35 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) are up for election on November 6, including all six members of our House Delegation.

Read the latest issue of Pelican Politics to see how the incumbents recently supported credit union legislation.
Have you Heard?

Centric FCU Announces 2018 BC Foundation Scholarship Recipients
Centric awarded nearly $10,000 to nine graduating seniors during the recent B-C Foundation Scholarship Ceremony. The B-C Foundation was created to commemorate two important people in the lives of two Board Members at Centric FCU, Mr. Chris Craighead and Ms. Charlene Brakefield. Centric's mission is to help their members live better and it is with great honor they award this financial opportunity to fund continued education.
 
To learn more about the recipients of the BC Foundation Scholarship, click here.
Wymar FCU Ranked #1 in Louisiana for Returns in Value to Members
How do credit unions measure the benefit of their membership? Enter Return on Membership (ROM), a comprehensive metric designed by Callahan & Associates that uses savings, lending, and product usage to quantify member value and assign a score to every credit union in the United States. Based on the latest scores, Wymar FCU was recently named the ROM leader in Louisiana.
 
"Being a single SEG credit union, our main goal is to make sure our members feel like we are of value to them and that we are truly one of their greatest benefits as employees of BASF Geismar," commented Ronnie Stephens, President/CEO. "This recognition shows just that and we are so thankful that our members allow us to do what we do, and that is helping them in any way we can. After all, that is what the credit union philosophy stands for - 'people helping people'."
 
Credit unions across the country use their ROM score to set member-facing goals and hold staff accountable to better serve members. An interactive graphic by Callahan & Associates highlights ROM leaders by state. Click here to see more!
Ouachita Valley FCU Hosts Free Child Passenger Safety Seat Check Event
Ouachita Valley FCU recently hosted an event with Louisiana State Police providing car seats to those in need.  "We know how important the safety is of our member's children and we want to help keep them all safe on the road ways", Jessica LeDoux, Marketing Director for Ouachita Valley FCU. 

Ouachita Valley FCU purchased fifteen car seats to be given away to those who needed a car seat or were in need of replacing a car seat that had been expired or the child had outgrown. 
 
Trooper Reichdart with LSP stated "More than 90% of car seats are installed improperly, so we are here to assist families with keeping their children as safe as possible".  This event was held at the Highway 165 North location and all seats were given to those in need.  
LES FCU Sponsors La Workforce Commission Softball Team
LES FCU sponsored the La Workforce Commission (LWC) State Agency League softball team. LES FCU provided the team t-shirts and presented an end-of-season gift for each player.   The gifts included a LES FCU cups, lanyards, sweets and a $10 Subway gift card in appreciation for their dedication and willingness to represent their state agency in this volunteer softball league.
 
A celebration ceremony was held at noon on Tuesday, October 16, 2018 in the LWC Atrium, 1001 N. 23rd St., Baton Rouge, La.   Andre Johnson, LWC employee and Team Coach, thanked the team for their hard work and determination during the season.  Kenneth Burrell, LWC Deputy Secretary, thanked the team for volunteering their time and proudly representing LWC.  Jackie Patin, LESFCU, CEO commended the team for their efforts and presented the gift cups to the players present.     

Quote of the Week: 
"The secret is to gang up on the problem, rather than each other."
-Thomas Stallkamp

Educational Calendar
Upcoming Conferences & Seminars from your League:

November 7: Understanding Key Ratios
November 13: IRA Update

Upcoming Teleconferences & Webinars from your League:

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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(800) 452-7221   www.lcul.com