Keeping you connected to key credit union news, events, and trends: November 6, 2019
In This Issue
Headline News

The Numbers Are In: Louisiana CUs Give Back More Than $33,000 to Local Businesses During CU Lunch Local
$150,000 Given Back to Local Businesses since Inception

Congratulations and a huge thank you to ALL Louisiana credit unions that participated in our 2019 CU Lunch Local. While totals are still being submitted, we can report that an overwhelming $33,000 was contributed back to local businesses through this effort.

Since LCUL launched CU Lunch Local, Louisiana credit unions have given back more than $150,000 to local businesses.

Special thanks to the following credit unions that have helped make this possible:
  • Access of LA FCU
  • Ascension CU
  • BRECO
  • Campus FCU
  • Carter FCU
  • Centric FCU
  • Coast Guard ECU
  • EFCU Financial
  • Engage
  • First Pioneers
  • GNO FCU
  • Jefferson Financial FCU
  • La Capitol FCU
  • LES FCU
  • Meritus CU
  • NAS JRB
  • NODA FCU
  • Pelican State CU
  • Post Office ECU
  • Rapides General Hospital EFCU
  • Southwest LA CU
  • University of LA FCU
  • Valex FCU
"CU Lunch Local is yet another way that sets us apart from other financial institutions. Showing up at local establishments and supporting their efforts on behalf of the movement may seem small, but it leaves a huge impact. It's not what you spend; it's the fact that we are supporting the communities we serve," commented Lacey H. Weaver, Senior Vice President of Member Engagement.

Again, we thank ALL of the credit unions who participated this year to make it such a huge success. Together, we're truly better when we work together.
LCUL's Enhanced CU Financial Counseling Program: Become Certified in 2020
LCUL is excited to bring back the wildly popular Certified Financial Counselor Program (FiCEP) for the 8th year in a row. The popularity of this program is due to high member demand from you.  Over the past seven years, Louisiana has certified over 400 credit union professionals who have made it a top priority to financially educate their members.

FiCEP is the tool in your arsenal that no credit union should be without. When you transform your staff into certified financial counselors you are helping to guide your members to better financial future. Members in control of their finances become more engaged.

New CEO of Southwest Louisiana CU Chad Miller states, "Putting our staff through the FiCEP program has impacted our membership tremendously. Our latest Credit Score Migration Analysis showed that over 18% of our membership has improved their credit score since their loan originated. I'm confident that this is a direct result of our staff being more confident with their skills based off the education provided through FiCEP."

"With staff using the information they learned through FICEP, we are bringing in new members and developing a closer, more trusting relationship with the current membership," added Lloyd Cockerham, CEO Ascension CU.

Ready to develop a closer, more trusting relationship with your members?  Click here for more information.
News from CUNA Mutual

CMG Webinar: Mobile Devices, The Next Frontier for Risk 
The rapid proliferation of mobile devices and their apps has transformed the way we live, communicate, and work. Defending data on devices is challenging with malicious apps and other risks. Join us to discuss the actions that must be part of your overall security strategy to protect your employees - and your credit union - from this growing danger.

Click here to register.
Business Solutions

Embrace Change for 2020 to Experience Greater Outcomes 
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As the New Year approaches, there are many opportunities for improving service and performance outcomes. Many of them require change of some sort for optimal results. Here are three changes you can make to ensure that your overdraft program is up-to-date and ready to meet all account holder needs and performance goals in 2020.
Young Professionals Network

YPN Bootcamp is Underway!
Our Young Professionals Network's 3rd Annual Bootcamp has taken place in Baton Rouge and Lake Charles over the last week for a combined 80 attendees, and its next stop is Monroe, Louisiana, on Tuesday, November 12. 
 
Steve Webb, President and CEO of Neighbors Federal Credit Union, is traveling the state and presenting on "The Evolution of the Credit Union Business Model". Bootcamp attendees have participated in several exercises together as they've been challenged to look at the past, present, and future!
 
It's not too late to sign up for Monroe Bootcamp. We have 16 SPOTS open. Click here to sign up today! 

Young Professionals Spread Financial Literacy to Students Across the State
2019 YPN Book Reading Initiative
During International Credit Union We ek, Louisiana's Young Professionals devoted their week  to spreading financial literacy to elementary school students. They went to schools in their community and read the Little Critter book Just   Saving My Money. Each student received a copy of the book to take home. Over 1400 books were distributed to students!

Check out the video to see pictures from the event!
Have you Heard?

Southern Teachers and Parents FCU Awarded NCUA Mentoring Grants
NCUA Three low-income credit unions designated as minority depository institutions will build mentoring programs with three larger institutions with the help of grants announced by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). Southern Teachers and Parents FCU in Baton Rouge is one of the three grant recipients and will be mentored by EFCU Financial.

"I'm delighted we could help these small credit unions establish relationships with larger institutions to help them grow and thrive," NCUA Chairman Rodney E. Hood said. "These grants are in keeping with the agency's efforts to support and preserve minority depository institutions, which are so vital to providing affordable financial services and investments to their communities."

The NCUA awarded the grants under its pilot MDI mentoring program, which will help small low-income minority depository institutions establish mentoring programs with larger low-income credit unions that can provide expertise and guidance in serving low-income and underserved populations. The larger credit unions will provide technical assistance, such as building staff capacity through training, improvements to credit union operations, and assistance with modernization processes. The NCUA will use the results of this pilot program to explore the possibly expanding the initiative in the future.
Ascension CU Wins Best of Ascension Awards
Each year the two (2) area newspapers, the Gonzales Weekly Citizen and the Donaldsonville Chief sponsors a community wide voting of the Best Businesses in various categories. There were two rounds of voting; 1st round was for the nominations; for the 2nd round the top five (5) in each categories were voted upon. Over 100,000 votes were cast and Ascension Credit Union won for the third year in a row Ascension Parish's People Choice Awards for:
  • Best Credit Union
  • Best Mortgage Lender
  • Best Loan Company
  • Best Place to Work
  • And "BEST BOSSES" (The CU's President/CEO Lloyd Cockerham and EVP/COO Susan Curtis)
Neighbors FCU Partnering with WBRZ for "Pat's Coats For Kids"
Neighbors Federal Credit Union has partnered with Pat Shingleton and WBRZ for the 11th consecutive year as a primary sponsor for "Pat's Coats for Kids

Last year, the campaign purchased 7,251 coats providing $145,020 worth of warmth for children in need at 211 local schools.

During the Campaign, Neighbors FCU will collect coats and cash donations at all locations.

Neighbors will host a jambalaya sale sponsored by Coldwell Banker One on November 7th at 12529 Perkins Road Baton Rouge, LA 70810.

Neighbors will also participate in the campaign's "Pack the Pod Day," on November 6th and "Distribution Day" on December 6th.

"We're looking forward to another great year as a partner in WBRZ's Pat's Coats For Kids," Neighbors President and CEO Steve Webb said. "We are encouraging everyone to come out to one of our branches and drop off a coat or make a donation to a child in need."
La Cap Celebrates International Credit Union Day by Reading Berenstain Bears
As part of La Capitol Federal Credit Union's celebration of International Credit Union Day, La Cap employees hosted a series of "story time" events around Louisiana throughout the month of October. The events were designed to teach financial stewardship to children.
 
La Cap employees read to children at seven elementary schools and one church group. Two La Cap branches hosted groups of children in their lobbies. Employees read the Berenstain Bears "Trouble with Money" or "Dollars and Sense" book to the children.
 
"Teaching children to be smart with money is a no brainer. It helps the individual child, but it also plants seeds for a better Louisiana in the future," said La Capitol FCU President and CEO Michael Hooper. "We are committed to financial education every day, but on this special occasion, we are especially proud that we are teaching good financial stewardship practices to the school children of Louisiana."
Quote of the Week:
"First, think. Second, dream. Third, believe . And finally, dare"
- Walt Disney

Educational Calendar
Upcoming Conferences & Seminars from your League:

November 7: Financial Counseling Next Steps
November 20-21: IRA Essentials/Advanced with Ascencus

Upcoming Teleconferences & Webinars from your League:
   
November 7:  Understanding & Navigating ACH Rules for ODFIs  
November 12:  Reg E Series: Provisional Credit Under Reg E: Rules, Best Practices
November 13:  Closing or Changing Accounts for Consumers & Businesses  
November 14:  Mortgage Lending Series: Uniform Residential Loan Application (URLA) Line-by-Line, Required February 1, 2020
November 19: When a Borrower Dies: Rules, Procedures & Liabilities  
November 20: Robbery Preparedness: Meeting Your Annual Compliance Requirement  
November 21: BSA Special Risks: Policy, Law Enforcement & Regulator Issues  
December 3:  ACH Error Resolution: Returns, Authorizations, WSUDs, Stop Payments & More
  December 4:  Safe Deposit Issues: Delinquency, Death & Abandonment
  December 5:  IRS Reporting Requirements: 1098s, 1099s, TINs & Backup Withholding
  December 11:  Business Accounts: Who is Authorized to Open, Close, Transact?
  December 12:  Dealing with Joint Signers in Consumer & Real Estate Lending
  December 18:  Securing Collateral: How to Complete & File UCC-1 Financing Statements

                        
For a complete listing of educational opportunities available from LCUL, visit the League website.
Copyright © 2019 Louisiana Credit Union League 
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(800) 452-7221   www.lcul.com