Keeping you connected to key credit union news, events, and trends: January 29, 2020
In This Issue
Headline News

Lucky CU Member Wins the $5,000 Grand Prize for Prized Linked Savings Participation
Maria Abascal was shocked when University of Louisiana FCU presented her with a $5,000 check yesterday as the annual winner of LCUL's Lucky Lagniappe Program, an incentive-based savings program that rewards members across the state by entering them into a statewide drawing to win cash prizes.

Abascal was under the impression that she needed to come to the branch to sign paperwork that was overlooked at her account opening. Out of the 1206 people at 13 credit unions statewide who opened Lucky Lagniappe savings accounts last year, Abascal was randomly drawn to win the annual grand prize.
 
Lucky Lagniappe rewards credit union members for saving on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis. At the end of each year, a winner is drawn for the $5,000 grand prize.
 
The check presentation was an opportunity to recognize the 2019 winner as well as to celebrate the program's successes throughout 2019. Lucky Lagniappe program participants have collectively saved over $525,000 since January 2018!
LCUL's Latest 'Membership in Action' Highlights 4th Qtr Successes, CUs in the Community
LCUL recently distributed our latest 'Membership in Action', a quarterly publication that provides a snapshot of the activities, initiatives and services provided by your League along with stories on Louisiana credit unions in the community. In this issue, we cover the following fourth quarter activity:
  • Advocacy: LCUL's Political Advocate Program Sparks Next Level Engagement
  • Leadership: former NCUA Chairman Rick Metzger facilitated League Board strategic planning session
  • Collaboration: Louisiana Credit Unions give back $33,000 during our 2019  'CU Lunch Local' Program
  • Professional Development: Frontline Development now offered straight to your credit union
We are excited to promote the latest success of our partnership through two channels. Take a look at the video and then download the print version, which showcases the good work of Louisiana credit unions.
 
We want to hear from you! Send us your credit union stories so we can share your successes.
Registration Now Open for Credit Union Connect
Dynamic Conference Brings a Little Bit of Everything for Everyone; March 13, Baton Rouge
 
Credit Union Connect is your "one-stop-shop" to evaluate products and services, gaining valuable insight on offerings that will help you better serve co-workers and members.

Brought to you by LCUL and C-Suite Events for a second year in a row, attendees will benefit from more than a dozen educational sessions and upwards of 60 industry experts and credit union focused suppliers who will be on hand to show you the technology, data, and know-how that will move your credit union forward.
 
This relatively new offering from the League provides a resource for multiple levels and various departments within each credit union. Designed for middle management and up, topics covered will include risk management, compliance, security, IT, operations, lending and more. The conference is local, short, and very inexpensive, making it accessible to everyone.
 
Take advantage of the unique opportunity to network with peers from across Louisiana and learn how they are meeting the challenges of today. 

News from CUNA Mutual

January 2020 Credit Union Trends Report now Available
CUNA Mutual Group's Credit Union Trends Report for January 2020 is now available online and can be accessed on our website. During November, credit unions picked up 173,000 in new memberships and loan balances grew at a 6.5% seasonally adjusted annualized pace, while savings balances grew 10.2%. Firms hired 256,000 workers, nominal consumer spending increased 0.4% and long-term interest rates increased 10 basis points. Third quarter economic growth was revised up to 2.1% and rose 2.1% over the last year.
 
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 League, contact Danielle Thibodeaux at (800) 452-7221, ext. 3018 or [email protected].
Professional Development

Secure Your Seat for These February Workshops!

February 11th in Baton Rouge, LA you will learn:
  • What are effective ways to gauge efficiency?
  • Why should credit unions care about treasury rate movements?
  • How does the general economic conditions affect your rates and pricing?
Tim Gardner will give you the easy to understand the answers to these questions and so much more at Understanding Key Ratios.  This session is about so much more than just numbers. Come gain the confidence and understanding of the big picture of your credit union's financial health. Click here to secure your spot!


 
Join  Mississippi and Louisiana Branch Managers on February 19 & 20 to change the way you manage! 

The team at Lending Solutions Consulting provides insight into effectively managing staff and creating a culture of excellence.
Learn how to create long term profitability while contributing to net income. Discover how fostering an entrepreneurial culture is essential for growth!

Want to know more about this program being offered in Jackson,MS? Click here for full program details!
 
Check out more of our 2020 lineup here!
Have you Heard?

Barksdale FCU Earns Great Place To Work Certification
Barksdale FCU earned the Great Place To Work® certification based on feedback from employees on its culture and positive work environment. This recognition is awarded to companies who have built high-trust, high-performance company cultures. 

Here are a few things employees said about working at BFCU. "The board of directors show a genuine interest in the employees." "We have the best CEO." "We enjoy giving back to members and the community." "Great benefits, time off, flexible schedules, etc." "BFCU genuinely cares about our well-being." 
Neighbors FCU Promotes Bridgette White to VP of Mortgage
Neighbors FCU has proudly announced Bridgette White as the new Vice President of Mortgage. White started with Neighbors in 2001 as a teller before working her way up as a Mortgage Escrow Servicer and later a Mortgage Loan Officer. She has most recently served the credit union as the Assistant Vice President of Mortgage before the aforementioned promotion.

White is notably credited for modernizing NFCU's mortgage team by playing an integral role in NFCU's core system conversion to DNA and successfully implementing the mortgage department's loan origination system, "Mortgagebot."

"I could not imagine working any other place," White said. "The opportunities and the numerous knowledge resources afforded to each of us at Neighbors FCU is so valuable.  I am grateful that Neighbors FCU embraced me as a family and team member more than 18 years ago. I am excited to lead the mortgage team into the next year and beyond in my new role as VP of Mortgage."
First Pioneers Opens a New Branch in New Iberia
First Pioneers Federal Credit Union opened the doors of their new branch in New Iberia for "soft opening" on Wednesday, January 15, 2020.
 
The new branch is located at 2711 Highway 14 (at the corner of Center Street and Spanish Town Boulevard).
 
The 3,105 square foot facility was designed by Travis Dickerson, Project Manager with Labarre Associates, Architects and Faulk and Meek General Contractors, LLC were the contractors for the building.
 
Lawoka Bolden, CEO of First Pioneers FCU said, "Having served the Acadiana community for over 70 years, we are excited to have a new home in Iberia Parish and the New Iberia community. Since we first announced our plans for the new branch, we have had positive feedback and excitement. We believe the members will love this new branch and all it has to offer, especially the convenient location. As the credit union continues to grow we are looking forward to expanding our branch locations to care for our member's financial needs."
 
First Pioneers will hold an official grand opening in the Spring.
Pelican State Credit Union Hosts Free Home Buying Workshop in Lake Charles
Pelican State Credit Union hosted a free Home Buying Workshop for the Lake Charles community on Tuesday, January 21, 2020. The workshop was located at 301 West Claude Street inside the Calcasieu Parish Public Library.
 
67 guests attended the workshop and learned the ins and outs of financing a home, tips for before and after purchasing a home, and much more from a panel of experts. The panelists opened the floor to the audience and fielded any questions they had.
 
Guests also enjoyed a free jambalaya dinner, dessert, and drinks. Following the panel discussion and a random drawing, the credit union gave away two Pelican prize packs, each containing a $50 gift card!
Quote of the Week:
"The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great at whatever they want to do. "
- Kobe Bryant

Educational Calendar
Upcoming Conferences & Seminars from your League:


February 11: Understanding Key Ratios
March 12: FREE Asset Roundtables
March 13: Credit Union Connect
March 20: BSA Officer Training

Upcoming Teleconferences & Webinars from your League:

January 30: Deposit Account Series: UCC 3 & 4 Check Issues: Stop Payments, Postdated, Stale-Dated & Endorsements
February 4: Action Plan for Reg CC Rule Changes Effective July 1, 2020
February 5: ACH Tax Refunds: Exceptions, Posting & Liabilities
       February  6: Diversity Self-Assessment: Regulatory Guidance & Best Practices
February 7: Effective Time Mastery: Working Smarter, Not Harder
February 11:  Using the FPR to Improve Credit Union Performance
February 12:  Commercial Lending Series: Commercial Loan Documentation
February 13:  Electronic & Imaged Documents: What to Keep, What to Destroy, What Holds Up in Court
February 18:  Deposit Account Series: Banking Cannabis Businesses: Hemp, CBD, THC & More
February 19:  Qualifying Borrowers Using Personal Tax Returns Part 1: Form 1040 & Schedules B & C
February 20:  Harassment Claims in a #MeToo World
February 24:  Nonresident Aliens: New 2020 Tax Reporting Rules, CIP, CDD & More
February 25:  Deposit Account Series:  Deposit Operations Update 2020
February 26:  Managing Force-Placed Mortgage & Auto Insurance
February 27:  HELOC Compliance: Disclosures, Documentation, Advertising, Amending & More
                             
For a complete listing of educational opportunities available from LCUL, visit the League website.
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(800) 452-7221   www.lcul.com