CRASH Applications Due Tomorrow, FREE Conference Registration Up for Grabs
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Alright young professionals, time is almost up for you to CRASH the Louisiana Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC). The Louisiana Credit Union League (LCUL) & the Young Professionals Network (YPN) are excited to provide a chance for nine lucky winners to experience what the movement is all about as they CRASH the state GAC. The CRASH contest is open to all current YPN members from across the state with one being chosen from each of the nine chapters to attend.
Every winning crasher will receive a full conference registration courtesy of LCUL and YPN along with a welcome to the State GAC Experience Packet. Travel, hotel and food costs are the responsibility of the Crasher and their credit union.
Click here to download the application form.
*All crashers will need to be in Baton Rouge on May 12 at 9:00 am and until 1:30 pm on May 13 for the conclusion of the Crash Sessions.
Don't miss out on this great opportunity, The application deadline is tomorrow, April 30. Please submit applications to Jill Kitchens at YPN@lcul.com.
For more information on the upcoming GAC, contact Angela Gervais, Director of Governmental Affairs, at agervais@lcul.com.
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CUs reminded to update A Smarter Choice locator information
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The Credit Union Locator tool on the A Smarter Choice website helps consumers find credit unions that they are eligible to join.
Credit unions are encouraged to maintain up-to-date information about branch locations and fields of membership within the database. To check and update information, visit the A Smarter Choice website. Once logged in, users can access the CU Administrator database and change, add or delete information.
For assistance or to request a user ID and password, contact Lacey Hyer, VP of Communications & Public Relations, at lhyer@lcul.com.
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Catalyst Corporate Offers New 'Checking with Benefits' program
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Catalyst Corporate Federal Credit Union is now offering a new "Checking with Benefits" program that is designed to create a rewarding experience for credit union members while simplifying, streamlining and strengthening credit unions' checking programs.
Catalyst Corporate is set to unveil the new "Checking with Benefits" program and provide specific details during the Accelerating Success Conference held in Las Vegas on April 30-May 1.
"Checking with Benefits" is a rewards program that can make a credit union's checking accounts more attractive to members and potential members, strengthen member engagement with the credit union, and generate fee income, according to Karen Coble, vice president of Sales. Offered in conjunction with Nashville, Tenn.-based StrategyCorps, the service revolves around a checking program with a rich menu of benefits. The benefits are accessed through a mobile app, called "BaZing," that may be customized with the credit union's own branding.
Click here to view full article.
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April 2015 Credit Union Trends Report now available online
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CUNA Mutual Group's Credit Union Trends Report for April 2015 is now available online and can be accessed in the CU Products & Services section of our website, under the heading Research & Information.
Despite the adverse winter weather in February, the economy added 264,000 jobs, the unemployment rate fell to 5.5%, personal income rose 0.4%, consumer prices climbed 0.2%, new home sales jumped 7.8%, existing home sales rose 1.2%, home prices rose 1.1%, job openings surged to 5.13 million and the 10-year Treasury interest rate rose 10 basis points to average 1.98%.
Additional highlights of this month's report include:
- During February, credit unions picked up 440,000 new members, credit union loan balances grew at an annual 10.9% pace, bonuses and tax refunds boosted deposit balances 1.9%, firms hired 264,000 workers, the housing market picked up steam, long-term interest rates rose, and the Federal Reserve lowered the economic bar for what would be necessary for them to tighten monetary policy.
- At the end of February, CUNA's monthly estimates reported 6,437 CUs in operation, down 37 CUs from one month earlier. Year-to-date the number of credit unions declined by 76, greater than the 49 lost in the first two months of 2014.
- Credit union savings balances rose 1.9% in February, slightly less than the 2.2% advance reported in February 2014. Remarkably, the additional $18.8 billion in deposits was equal to half the total deposit increase during the past 12 months.
- The nation's CUs increased their loan portfolios 0.22% in February, greater than the 0.11% pace reported in February 2014. February is historically the weakest month for loan growth. Loan balances are currently increasing at a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 10.9% and should remain above 10% for the next two years.
- Credit union memberships rose a robust 440,000 in February, or 0.4% month-over- month, up from 307,000 reported in February 2014, or 0.3%, to reach 102.3 million. The underlying annual membership growth rate is now 3.8%, the highest in over 25 years.
- Credit union loan delinquency rates fell to 0.78% in February, down from 0.89% one year earlier and lower than the 1.19% past 10-year average. By year end, delinquency rate should hit 0.75%.
For more information, view the complete report here. If you have problems accessing the information or have additional questions about the research and information services provided by the Louisiana Credit Union League, please contact Danielle Thibodeaux at (800) 452-7221, ext. 3018 or dthibodeaux@lcul.com.
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Last Chance: Register for LA Share Accounts
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This is your LAST CHANCE to register for Louisiana Share Accounts, which is the ONE program every credit union employee should attend every year. We unfortunately had to cancel this program last year so it has been two years since you have had the opportunity to enroll in this vital program which plays a big part in your Credit Union's Risk Management that ultimately protects your Credit Union.
To see a list of topics to be covered, which includes the new proposed CDD that will impact opening procedures for both individual and business accounts, please see our event webpage.
Who should make sure not to miss this program? Member Service Representatives, Branch Personnel, Branch Managers, Branch Operations, BSA Officers, CIP Review Staff and Training.
Your Educational Investment is $229 for this one day program. Questions? Contact Jody Brooks at education@lcul.com or 1-800-452-7221, ext. 3010.
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LAMBDC Update: Newsletter distributed, FREE Webinar for Council Members
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The Louisiana Marketing & Business Development Council (LAMBDC) distributed their quarterly newsletter earlier this week. In this issue, we talked about the upcoming webinar on May 6 where YOU decide the topic.
On Wednesday, May 6, Michael Tasner, marketing guru, avid entrepreneur, author, speaker, and investor, will shake things up by hosting a webinar where YOU determine the topic. Yep, that's right. Those registering for this webinar can vote on which session looks most appealing (with the most favorable being selected). So what are the options?
Putting Your Credit Union on Autopilot: Time and resources are limited. As a credit union you are always trying to do more with less. Often, trying new forms of marketing becomes an afterthought because you are simply aiming to keep your head above water.It's time to work smarter, not harder on the marketing at your credit union, leveraging the power of software, automation, funnels and little known tips, secrets and tactics.
15 Slam-Dunk Tactics To Grow Your Membership: Reflect back for a minute: how many times in the last six months have you sat around a table and said (or heard) "what are we going to do to grow membership" only to walk away either confused or with plans to do more of the same.Now is the best time to STOP spinning your wheels and worrying about what "new stuff" you are going to try to generate more members and hoping that it works. Hope marketing will become a thing of the past. 15 laser focused tactics will be presented. Every tactic will be focused on one thing: driving the right members to join your credit union.
Sponsored by LCUL and the Louisiana Marketing & Business Development Council (LAMBDC), this webinar is open to all Louisiana CU professionals. Registration is FREE for LAMBDC members and $50/person for non-council members.
To register, please email Lacey Hyer, VP of Communications & Public Relations, no later than Monday, May 4. Make sure to include your vote!
Want to learn more about the LAMBDC? Click here for more information.
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