Keeping you connected to key credit union news, events, and trends: November 28, 2018
In This Issue
Headline News

Louisiana State Chartered CUs Find Value in LCUL's Roundtable with LOFI: See What Those in Attendance Had to Say
On November 16, LCUL hosted a roundtable discussion in Baton Rouge between all Louisiana State Chartered Credit Unions and the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions (LOFI). Open discussion included several hot topics such as Field of Membership Expansion, CECL Impact, and Liquidity targets, among others.

"This was the most productive OFI discussion in my thirty-one years at Pelican. It was an opportunity to come together under our common bond and have constructive discussion on tough topics,  sharing our experiences, frustrations and appreciation. I must applaud Bob and LCUL as the meeting had a formal agenda, yet the discussion was open and no topics were forbidden," commented Jeff Conrad, CEO of Pelican State CU.
 
"Thanks to both LOFI and LCUL in putting such a meeting together. I certainly hope this continues in the following years.  It is very rare to have such an opportunity with open discussions and no restrictions.  I feel that all in attendance walked away with valuable information," echoed James Pulse, CEO of Coast Guard Employees CU.


LCUL's FiCEP Program a Win-Win for Members, Employees: Hear About One CU Professional's Journey
LCUL's Certified Financial Counseling Program (FiCEP) not only changes the lives of your members, but can also be a huge transformation experience for your staff as well.  Chad Miller, COO of Southwest Louisiana CU became a certified financial counselor in 2016 and he brought his coursework home with him (literally!) 
 
When taking the course, Chad knew in the back of his mind that he had a goal of purchasing his first home within three years. However, he also wanted to earn his Master's degree and try not to get buried under a mountain of debt in the process.  Looking back, Chad recently reflected on how he thought he'd have to take out a student loan to pay at least one semester of school while saving up for a house. This is what Chad had to say:

"I essentially started applying what I was learning in FiCEP; which is not only how to budget, but how to plan for my goals.  Utilizing the skills learned through FiCEP along with careful planning and research, I was actually able to pay for my Masters in full with cash as well as save what I needed to...FiCEP taught me to plan for my future by estimating the expenses of my home ownership goal 3 years before they happened and put that   amount into a separate savings account while cutting out unnecessary spending and prioritizing my hobbies.  I am now 6 months into my first home and with the skills acquired from FiCEP, I can honestly say my financial state is equal to what it was prior to home ownership while maintaining a healthy savings for emergencies!"
 
Register for the Certified Financial Counseling Program (FiCEP) and help your members achieve their financial dream - especially the members on your credit union's home team.

Two Louisiana CUs Receive National Honors for Maxwell, Herring, Desjardins Awards
The Credit Union National Association's (CUNA) National Awards Committee announced the 2018 recipients of the Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award, the Louise Herring Philosophy-in-Action Member Service Award, and the Desjardins Awards for Financial Education.  The awards, which are given in several credit union asset sizes, were selected among the winning entries at a league level.
 
Congratulations to UNO FCU (Less than $50 Million in Assets) and Pelican State CU ($250 Million - $1 Billion in Assets). Their efforts in 2018 awarded them the Desjardin Financial Literacy Award honoring their commitment to the adult financial literacy.
 
"We are thrilled to have both UNO FCU and Pelican State CU represent Louisiana on a national level. Their dedication to the communities they serve is unparalleled and we congratulate them on the much deserved recognition," commented Bob Gallman, LCUL President/CEO.  
 
Winning credit unions will be recognized at CUNA's 2019 Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC), March 10 - March 14, in Washington, D.C. 

Click here for a complete list of winners.
Compliance Corner

Lending Compliance: Focus on 3 Top Priorities
Leading a credit union can be one of the hardest jobs in the financial services industry. While regulators make some accommodations for credit unions with less than $100 million in assets, generally, every credit union must meet the same compliance standards.

With so many regulatory issues facing credit unions, it may seem impossible to navigate the "alphabet soup" of regulatory compliance without a full-time compliance officer or third-party vendor.

With lending compliance alone making up a significant portion of NCUA's examination priorities, credit unions should focus on three  top issues. Click here to continue reading.
Transaction Talk

Visa Says Chip Technology Reduces Fraud 82 Percent
It's been three years since financial institutions, merchants, and consumers were encouraged to shift away from the familiar swiping of payment cards in terminals to inserting cards with EMV (which stands for Europay, Mastercard and Visa) chips, and since then the industry has made significant strides in rolling out chip-enabled cards and point-of-sale systems.
 
One of the leading factors that encouraged the adoption of chip technology in 2015 was its effectiveness in reducing counterfeit fraud, which was the primary type of fraud in the United States at the time. Since the EMV shift, the adoption of chip technology has reduced card-present counterfeit payment fraud by a whopping 82 percent at chip-enabled merchants.
 
News from CUNA Mutual

CUNA Mutual Expands Lending Technology Capabilities with Acquisition of Compliance Systems, Inc.
CUNA Mutual Group announced the acquisition of Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Compliance Systems, Inc., a privately-heldcompany specializing in compliance technology for financial services, to expand the company's lending technology capabilities.
          
Click here to continue reading.
Have you Heard?

ULFCU Announces Retirement of CEO and Names Successor
University of Louisiana FCU's Board of Directors announced Debbie Kidder's retirement as the President and CEO of the credit union and named her successor, current Executive Vice President Monica Declouet, effective May 1, 2019.

 Debbie has been a part of the credit union movement since 1976 and is a 2006 graduate of Southeast Regional CUNA Management School.  She has served as President/CEO since 2014 and has helped to grow the credit union over the past 41 years serving as teller, member service representative, bookkeeper, accountant and operations manager.

When asked, Debbie stated, "I have complete confidence that Monica will continue to move this credit union forward with her insight and operations expertise. I have enjoyed working with her and our board of directors; but am excited to begin the next chapter of my life."

 Monica has been a part of the credit union movement and with ULFCU for the past 22 years.  She has served as Executive Vice President since 2014 and has served as receptionist, teller, member service representative, loan officer and operations manager. She is a 2006 graduate of Southeast Regional CUNA Management School from the University of Georgia.

"Monica has and will remain an amazing asset to UL Federal Credit Union. Her passion for the movement and our credit union is contagious," says Bill Crist, Chairman of the Board of Directors for ULFCU.

When asked, Monica stated, "I have had the opportunity to work under four amazing CEOs for our organization who have played a part in preparing me for this new chapter in my career. I am looking forward to continuing their strategic initiatives, sharing their legacy, and working with our wonderful staff, volunteers and, especially, or members."
Carter CU Celebrates Grand Opening of New State of the Art Branch
Carter Credit Union opened its newest state of the art branch location in Bossier City.  The Grand Opening was celebrated on November 8 with a ribbon cutting ceremony and celebration throughout the day.  "Credit Unions are a great place to do business and Carter is excited to be serving the residents and businesses of Bossier. We look forward to building lifelong relationships here" says Joe Arnold, President & CEO of Carter CU.  
Jefferson Financial Employees Donate $1,000 to Livingston Council on Aging
Employees at Jefferson Financial FCU came to the aide of the Livingston Council on Aging with a $1,000 donation to assist local seniors as temperatures dropped into the 30 and 40's this week in Livingston Parish. "Elderly people are calling daily in need of heaters and heating blankets in order to get through this winter season," notes LCOA's Executive Director, Kay Granger. "Some of these elderly people are home bound and have no support other than the Council."
 
According to Jefferson Financial Business Development Representative Carl Duplessis, who coordinated the donation, "We found out that some of the elderly in the parish were in need of any form of heat during the recent cold front, and I knew we had to help them in some way. Over the past year our employees donated money during our Pay it Forward Dress Down Day, and we thought this would be the perfect way to use the funds. Hopefully this will bring awareness to needs of the elderly and more people and businesses will follow suit to donate to the Council on Aging."  
 
Funds from the donation will go toward the purchase of heaters, heating blankets, blankets, sweaters and socks.
 
Pictured: (Left)Denham Springs Branch Manager, Jessie Stewart, Livingston Council on Aging Executive Director, 
Kay Granger, and Business Development Representative, Carl Duplessis

Campus Federal Leads Financial Education Workshop at the Cowen Institute
Campus Federal presented a Financial Education Workshop on the topic of credit to the Apprentices of The Cowen Institute, which was founded at Tulane University to reconnect youth ages 18 to 24 to postsecondary and career pathways. Participants in the Institute's program receive a paid apprenticeship, academic support, and soft and technical skills training.
 
The Financial Education Workshop, led by Blaine Grimes, Community Development and Financial Literacy Officer at Campus Federal, offered information on the importance of credit, how to build and improve credit and credit scores. The attendees engaged in a group activity on budgeting. 



GNO FCU Employees Graciously Give To Those In Need This Thanksgiving
GNO FCU employees have partnered with Volunteers Of America Southeast Louisiana to help provide a Thanksgiving meal to those in need. GNO FCU employees' donation helped to feed 82 individuals living in a Volunteers of America supportive housing facility in New Orleans. The facility consists of dormitory-style, income-based permanent housing in Orleans Parish for men and women that are experiencing homelessness.

GNO FCU employees donate through their Hope, Heart and Soul program, which was created as a way for employees to give back to the community and follow the credit union philosophy of people helping people. President & CEO, Janet Sanders, said "GNO FCU employees are among some of the most generous people in the community. I am proud to have the opportunity to work with these individuals who always want to help others."
La Capitol FCU Adds Steven Johnston to Marketing Team
La Capitol FCU announced the addition of Steven Johnston to the marketing team as Marketing Content Manager, bringing more than 20 years experience in the public relations and marketing fields.
 
Prior to joining LaCap FCU, Johnston has served in the Public Information Office of the Louisiana House of Representatives, as Gov. Mike Foster's deputy press secretary, and as a senior communication specialist at the River Bend Station nuclear plant in St. Francisville, Louisiana.
 
Johnston is also a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve. He currently serves as Public Affairs Officer of the 75th Innovation Command in Houston, Texas.  He has been a member of the Army Reserve for 24 years. 
Quote of the Week:
"Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence."
- Sheryl Sandberg

Educational Calendar
Upcoming Conferences & Seminars from your League:

January 14-15: Committee Workshop/Lunch & Learn
February 6-7: CUs on the Grow: Create Preference, Deliver Excellence, Sustain Relevance
March 10-14: CUNA GAC

Upcoming Teleconferences & Webinars from your League:

November 29: Managing & Mitigating Card-Not-Present Fraud
December 4:
Compliance Questions & Issues in Deploying Mobile Remote Deposit Capture
December 5: Auditing for HMDA Compliance, Including New Data Collection Rules
December 6: Improving Teller Performance: Head Teller Development
December 11: Auditing Call Reports
December 12: Dealing with Joint Signers in Consumer & Real Estate Lending
December 13: Your Depositor Has Died: Actions to Take, Mistakes to Avoid
December 18: Closing or Changing Deposit Accounts for Consumers & Businesses
December 19: BSA Officer Reports to the Board
December 20: Handling Government ACH Payment Returns & Reclamations

For a complete listing of educational opportunities available from LCUL, visit the League website.
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