New Leadership Training Opportunity: The AACUC's DEI Leadership Academy promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in the credit union movement. This five-week certificate program includes expert speakers from the financial services industry, diversity specialists, and human resources professionals who will provide valuable knowledge and insights.

This is the perfect leadership development experience for current and up-and-coming leaders within your organization.

A Direct Line: Over the last year, stories about the trials and tribulations of AI (the technology kind) were a hot topic at meetings, on social media, and perhaps at your dining table. Want to learn how your credit union can leverage AI? Check out this week's blog for resources.

Consumer Blog: Budgeting is like organizing your tack room or packing for a girls' trip — it's a lot easier when you have a plan. This week's blog has a few ideas on how to set a plan for one of these occasions. Which one? Read it to find out.

ADVOCACY UPDATE

Trade Association Letter to CFPB: CUNA and NAFCU (before officially becoming America's Credit Unions), along with other credit union trade organizations, have called on the CFPB to delay and modify its proposed rule to implement section 1033 of the Dodd-Frank Act. The proposed rule mandates that financial institutions (including credit unions) furnish transaction data upon request. The letter expressed concern about the proposal’s extensive scope and burdensome requirements and asked the CFPB to amend its proposal to include tiered relief, extended compliance timeframes, and an acknowledgment of qualified industry standards.

NCUA's Simplified CECL Tool Webinar: Here's your chance to better understand the National Credit Union Administration's simplified CECL tool. Join a best practices webinar at noon on January 11 for a one-hour comprehensive session.

Insights for Your Automotive Lending Strategy: The 2023 rate hikes disproportionately affected near and non-prime borrowers, resulting in a large percentage of potential buyers being priced out of the market. This latest white paper from Open Lending offers critical insights, unveiling a growing disparity in automotive financing impacting consumers. Learn how Open Lending can help your credit union increase auto loan volumes without adding significant risk.

New Year, New... Cybersecurity Risks? They're likely. Lucky for you, though, TruStage is dedicated to helping you stay on top of emerging cybersecurity risks. They've recently published a quick two-page PDF detailing emerging risks and mitigation tips. You can read it in about five minutes, and it's a more productive use of your time than scrolling on social media (unless you're looking at content from Montana's Credit Unions).

Speaking of TruStage: In 2024, resolve to stay ahead of complex everchanging risks, compliance issues, and industry regulations with TruStage’s 2024 Risk Management virtual events. The first webinar, The 2024 Emerging Risks Outlook, is at noon on January 17. Join risk management experts as they discuss emerging risks that shouldn't be ignored. These virtual events are exclusively available at no additional cost to bond policyholders.

Save Big with a Series: Have you seen CU Webinar Network’s 2024 webinar schedule? The carefully selected topics will be presented by industry experts and provide must-know information for credit union employees and volunteers.

There are also five series of webinars being offered with discounted pricing.

Last month, Horizon CU in Great Falls paired up with Nourish and International Spice District to host the very first Food & Finance Class for Alliance for Youth and Sober Life. Like pairing bagels with cream cheese or chips with salsa, it was a match made in heaven. Attendees learned about getting the most bang for their buck from a professional certified chef and nutritionist. They also learned from Horizon CU about saving money and the psychology behind the grocery store setup. According to Branch Manager Brittany Riley, "It was such a magical experience." What a fun and innovative collaboration in financial education and the #CUDifference!

Happy? New Year!

2024 came roaring in — cyber-attacks, war, death, growing political angst and strife, bomb threats, bankruptcies, divorce, layoffs, economic uncertainty, and so much bad taking place around the world and in Montana. As we enter this new year, our members are faced with pressures from all sides, and for many, there’s a feeling of hopelessness. However, I’m a forever optimist, and I’m going into 2024 saying “Hopeful New Year,” especially when I see how you serve your members with passion and care. Despite today’s troubles, the credit union difference is alive and well. Our cooperative model is designed for such a time as this. Here are three questions for you and your teams to consider:

1. How are you uniquely living out the cooperative principles in your credit union?
2. How are you intentionally raising awareness of the credit union difference with your staff?
3. What new solutions, products, or channels do you need to implement this year to reach your members and not-yet-members?

For the past several years, I’ve chosen a “word of the year.” I know some of you do, as well. My word for 2024 is “hope.” I want to go into every conversation, every situation, and every step with a hopeful mindset. To me, hopeful thinking is expectant thinking not wishful thinking. I’m hopeful that more Montanans will choose credit unions this year than ever before. I’m hopeful that the league will exceed your expectations in how we serve you. I’m hopeful that tomorrow will be better than today (ad infinitum).

Together, we will make a difference! I’m excited to see you all this year at one of our educational events or in your credit unions. Please reach out anytime with questions, feedback, or just to connect.

Cooperatively, Gerry