Keeping you connected to key credit union news, events, and trends: January 8, 2020
In This Issue
Headline News

LCUL's 2020 CULAC Candy Sale is Underway!
LCUL's 2020 CULAC candy sale is officially underway. Credit unions can now place orders online through our web portal. Below are a couple of reminders:
  • All orders must be placed through our website
  • There will now be THREE opportunities to place orders (January 17, February 13, March 5)
  • Those with an initial order of 50 boxes or more will have your order drop shipped to your credit union directly.
  • Return Policy: Due to the perishable nature of the candy, no candy may be returned this year.
  • Additional information such as distribution locations and promotional marketing material can be found on the League's website.
Remember, selling candy is a simple way for your credit union to support CULAC. If you did not sell candy last year and are interested in learning more, please contact the CULAC team today!  
December 2019 Credit Union Trends Report Now Available Online
financial trends
CUNA Mutual Group's Credit Union Trends Report for December 2019 is now available on the League's website. 

During October, credit unions picked-up 158,000 in new memberships and loan balances grew at a 6.3% seasonally adjusted annualized pace while savings balances rose at a 9.7% annualized pace. Firms hired 156,000 workers, nominal consumer spending increased 0.2%, and long-term interest rates increased 1 basis point. Third quarter economic growth came in at 2.1% and grew 2.1% from the third quarter of 2018.
 
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 [email protected].
Professional Development

Do you know what your Efficiency Ratio is?  What about your loans to shares? Find out the story these numbers tell. 

You don't have to be a "numbers" person to gain a basic understanding of key ratios that tell an important tale about your credit union's financial position in today's economy. 

 Regardless of your role, all staff of should have a basic understanding of certain ratios such as Return on Assets, Efficiency Ratio, and Loans to Shares. Join LCUL and Tim Gardner on February 11 in Baton Rouge to gain that understanding in layman's terms using everyday credit union scenarios.    
 
Leigh Porta of Pelican State Credit Union attended this workshop last fall and said, "This is an excellent course and I highly recommend it to anyone seeking to deepen their knowledge of key ratios and to learn how the economy effects pricing at our credit unions. Tim is energetic, passionate and really fun to listen to."

Click here for more information.
Business Solutions

Expansive Network of Buyers and Sellers Helps Propel Catalyst Corporate's Loan Participation Program Past the $3 Billion Mark
catalyst
Catalyst Corporate's Loan Participation Program has topped $3 billion in activity - in less than five years since its inception. Part of the program's success can be attributed to the extensive network of credit union buyers and sellers that Catalyst Corporate has developed. Nearly 200 credit unions have bought and sold loan participations since the program was established, said Jeff Hamilton, Catalyst Corporate's Vice President of Member Credit. But while the network of buyers and sellers allows for quick and productive exchanges, credit union clients cite Catalyst Corporate's service for turning them into repeat participants.
 
With a strong economy in Louisiana, Neighbors Federal Credit Union is firmly affixed on the sell-side of the equation. But on the buy-side, Jackie So, Chief Financial Officer of the $473 million Foothill Federal Credit Union, in Arcadia, California, says she likes having Catalyst Corporate in the middle of the exchanges. "The process is consistent," a quality she finds reassuring. "Catalyst's service gives me confidence."
 
Click here to continue reading about the success of Catalyst Corporate's Loan Participation Program. .
Five New Year's Resolutions You Can't Afford to Break in 2020
jmfa
Are you in the mood for some New Year's resolutions that are both achievable and require zero hours in the gym? Well, here's a handful of 'em that can help you deliver the best to your members while also improving your bottom line. 

Have you Heard?

Meritus CU Host Financial Peace University, Now Has Over 500 Graduates
Meritus CU conducted their 38th Financial Peace University class. This Dave Ramsey course is designed to teach students and their families how to get out of debt, stay out of debt, and build wealth. Course topics include creating a spending plan that works, setting financial goals, investing for the future, and much more. The program breaks through confusing financial jargon and explains how money really works in simple, easy-to-understand style. The course is taught by members of the Meritus Credit Union management team, who are also graduates of the program, over nine weeks. To date, Meritus has over 580 graduates of the program and will be adding to that number when the new class begins mid-January.
CSE Donates Nonperishable Food Items to Local Organizations
Members and staff of CSE Federal Credit Union (CSE) kicked off the holiday season by donating over 600 nonperishable food items to CSE's annual food drive, which benefited Calcasieu and Cameron Councils on Aging, the Lord's Outreach Worship Center and Freedom Ministry of the South.

Food donations aided local initiatives such as, Calcasieu and Cameron Councils on Aging Meals-On-Wheels Program, which directly provides meals to the elderly across both parishes and Freedom Ministry of the South's mission to directly bless 44 families in the Southwest Louisiana community this Christmas.
Pelican State CU Gives $3,050 for School Supplies to Teachers Across the State of Louisiana
Pelican State Credit Union gave a total of $3,050 for school supplies to 11 school teachers in each of its branch parishes during its annual Classroom Bulletin Board Contest. This contest displayed the appreciation the credit union has for the teachers in its branch communities and showcased the credit union's dedication to education.
 
Pelican's Classroom Bulletin Board Contest encouraged teachers to submit a photo of their bulletin board or classroom door for a chance to win up to $350 for school supplies for their classroom! Winners were determined based on how many reactions, or votes, each submission received on Pelican's official Facebook page.
 
Pelican's 2019 Bulletin Board Contest winners are:
 
  • Reyna Pellegrin, Ascension Christian Elementary, 3rd grade
  • Shyla Johnson, Turner Elementary/Middle, 1st grade
  • Roxana Dyson, Sulphur High School, 10th grade
  • Lorie Hollins, East Feliciana High School, 9-12th grade
  • Kasey Theriot, Sts. Leo-Seton Catholic School, Kindergarten
  • Dana Baier, Eastside Elementary, Special Education Pre-K
  • Mattie Smith, Shady Grove Elementary, K-5th grade
  • Michelle Brouillette, Northwood High School, 7th grade
  • Crista Theriot, Port Barre High School, 9th grade
  • Jessica Speed, Madisonville Elementary, 1st grade
  • Analeigh Eiser, The Christian Academy of Louisiana, Kindergarten
Each winning teacher received $250 for school supplies. The three highest vote-getters who received an additional $100 were Kasey Theriot, Dana Baier, and Crista Theriot.
La Capitol FCU Collects Items for St. Vincent de Paul
Employees of La Capitol Federal Credit Union donated enough sundries and personal items to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Baton Rouge this year to fill 25 bags. The bags will be given to men and women in need this holiday season. The bags were filled with essential items such as blankets, gloves, hats and personal hygiene items.
 
La Cap began collecting the items on November 18. The donated items were delivered to St. Vincent de Paul in December.
 
The mission of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, is to provide aid to those in need through person-to-person contact, mass feeding, sheltering and other channels, encompasses every form of aid which alleviates suffering and promotes dignity and integrity.
 
Vincent de Paul was a French Catholic priest who dedicated himself to serving the poor. He was canonized in 1737. The St. Vincent de Paul society has provided shelter and necessities to the needy in the Baton Rouge area since 1865.
Quote of the Week:
"What the new year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the new year. "
- Vern McLellan

Educational Calendar
Upcoming Conferences & Seminars from your League:


January 16: Committee Conference and Brunch/Lunch & Learn
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 9:  Top 10 Issues for the 2019 HMDA Report: Due March 1, 2020
January 14:  Accounting Nightmares: TDRs, Foreclosed Assets, Investments & More
January 15: Deposit Account Series: Compliance at Account Opening
January 16: Incorporating Diversity & Inclusion into Your HR Policies
January 21: Call Report Fundamentals for New Preparers & Reviewers
January 22: Data-Driven Loan Pricing
January 23: 2020 IRA & HSA Update, Including IRA Provisions Under the Secure Act
January 28: Governance for Volunteers
January 29: Advanced Issues in Dormant Accounts, Unclaimed Property & Escheatment
January 30: Deposit Account Series: UCC 3 & 4 Check Issues: Stop Payments, Postdated, Stale-Dated & Endorsements
                                        
For a complete listing of educational opportunities available from LCUL, visit the League website.
Copyright © 2019 Louisiana Credit Union League 
824 Elmwood Park Blvd, Suite 200, Harahan, LA  70123
(800) 452-7221   www.lcul.com