One of the goals CU Cooperative Branching Board of Directors set for 2020 is to provide promotional content for credit unions to utilize in marketing.  Educating members on the value of the credit union network is fundamental to our member retention and growth. 

From mass marketing fraud, to romance and work-from-home scams, and even business email compromise, savvy fraudsters are adapting to ever-changing technology and targeting your customers with a variety of illicit tactics, both online and conventional. These fraud schemes are often perpetrated by organized criminal groups and crime rings to inflict millions of dollars in losses.

Join Verafin, February 25 at 11:30 pm, as they discuss emerging trends in fraud schemes and how criminals have adapted in order to circumvent improved security and controls in place at financial institutions. We also review red flags and best practices to protect your customers from the damaging financial and emotional effects of falling victim to scams.

In 2019, Neighbors FCU contributed an estimated value of $524,165 to charitable causes supporting the Greater Baton Rouge community in the form of cash donations, sponsorships, employee community service hours and goods donated by NFCU members and employees.

Neighbors FCU started as Baton Rouge Teachers FCU, so investing in education continues to be a priority for the credit union. Neighbors FCU estimates contributing a total value of $210,677 toward education, which includes $30,000 in scholarships from the Neighbors Way Tuition Assistance Award, $61,183 given to local high schools from the Mascot Checking Program, and the rest through various sponsorships and volunteer opportunities.

Volunteer service was a major component of NFCU's community impact. Neighbors FCU felt a hands-on approach to community involvement was a great way to show support. Neighbors Day was the most substantial community service event in which the entire staff volunteered nearly 1,000 hours of community service.

Volunteer hours are valued at $24.69 according to the Independent Sector , which was used to determine the monetary value of NFCU's community service work. The total value of community impact includes the volunteer value of two full-time employees who work exclusively in community involvement.

"At Neighbors, we are committed to improving the community we all call "home," Neighbors President and CEO Steve Webb said.  "I am so blessed to be able to lead this organization and am proud of the positive impact that we have on the Greater Baton Rouge Community."

La Capitol Federal Credit Union employees gave out hugs this week to local Realtor association employees around Louisiana to show appreciation to one of the credit union's newest member groups. The hugs, in the form of Hershey's Hugs candies, were delivered to local Realtor association offices by La Cap branch managers and other credit union employees during the week leading up to Valentine's Day.

 

"We are showing appreciation to one of our newest select employer groups, La Realtors. Hug a Realtor Day used to be celebrated on Valentine's Day and that gave us the perfect opportunity to stop by and give them a hug in the form of Hugs candy," said La Capitol FCU Vice President of Sales Jacqueline Wilfong.

BauerFinancial, Inc., the Nation's Premier Bank and Credit Union Rating Firm, commended CSE Federal Credit Union (CSE) on its achievement of another 5-Star Superior Rating for 2019. CSE has maintained the highest Bauer rating for financial strength and stability for 103 consecutive quarters, giving it the added status of being a "Best of Bauer Credit Union." This designation is reserved specifically for institutions that have earned Bauer's highest rating consistently for 100 consecutive quarters or longer.

Earning and maintaining Bauer's 5-Star rating indicates CSE is one of the strongest credit unions in the nation. President of BauerFinancial's research firm Karen L. Dorway said, "Credit Unions like CSE Federal Credit Union, are fiscally-fit because they go the extra mile to help their membership to be fiscally-fit as well. In the end, CSE Federal Credit Union and its members both reap the benefits."

BauerFinancial has been reporting on and analyzing the performance of U.S. banks and credit unions since 1983. No institution can pay for or opt out of a BauerFinancial rating. 

Louisiana Federal Credit Union (FCU) is pleased to announce the Ronald E. Thomas Memorial Scholarship opportunity beginning February 5 and running through April 8, 2020. The annual program, now in its 30th year, awards $2,000 to five graduating high school seniors who demonstrate exceptional leadership and altruism in the community.

Eligible applicants can apply at www.LouisianaFCU.org/scholarship. The online application encourages students to reflect on how they've grown as a leader during the formative years of high school.

"The Ronald E. Thomas Memorial Scholarship makes an immediate impact on the student's ability to manage expenses as they pursue a higher education," says Rhonda Hotard, President and CEO at Louisiana FCU.

Last year's recipient, Joseph Dalton, says the scholarship helped give him a leg up his freshman year at LSU. "The opportunities I have been able to take advantage of because of the scholarship have been uncountable," says Dalton. "It has been amazing! I cannot begin to thank Louisiana FCU enough." During the fall semester, Dalton made the Dean's List and was accepted into the Louisiana Service and Leadership Honors College.

2020 recipients will be announced on April 30.