Headline News

Last Chance to Register: PIVOT 2020

The deadline to register to attend PIVOT is this Friday, July 31! 

We want to make sure our 'Friends' don't miss the opportunity to attend LCUL's one of a kind event. PIVOT will feature dynamic keynote speakers, breakout sessions for both volunteers and credit union professionals, over 25 exhibitors, and plenty of fun and entertainment. Even though we had to 'pivot' from our in-person event, we know you will enjoy this year's virtual experience. 

Get Your Wallets Out in Support of CULAC and the Louisiana CU Foundation
CULAC 2020 CULAC Challange and the Silent Auction Launch Virtually Next Week! Open to Anyone and Everyone

With the excitement   surrounding PIVOT, we want to remind credit 
unions that both the 2020 CULAC Challenge and the Silent Auction benefiting the Louisiana CU Foundation are taking place virtually. This year, you can make all your transactions and bidding through LCUL's online auction website. Both the silent auction and the CULAC Challenge will open Wednesday, August 5 and will run through Friday, August 7 at 2:00. Best part: you do not have to be registered for PIVOT 2020 to participate so get your wallets ready!

During PIVOT 2020, we will be periodically updating our infamous CULAC Challenge board. Beat the clock and make sure you get your contributions in on time. Additionally, our silent auction has some of the coolest items to bid on with all proceeds going to the Louisiana Credit Union Foundation. Take a sneak peek of the items up for grabs! 

Simply visit  https://pivot.givesmart.com for access to both.   
2020 State Legislative Session Recap: New Laws Affecting Louisiana Credit Unions
The Louisiana Legislature kicked off the 2020 session on March 9. However, proceedings were suspended five days in to help stem community spread of the coronavirus. Special session reconvened on Monday, June 1 and adjourned on June 30 with COVID-19 related bills taking priority on the floor and limited constituent engagement in committee meetings due to safety concerns.

During the course of the session, there were a limited number of bills that would directly impact credit unions in some capacity. What do these new laws mean for you? With the help of LCUL's strategic partner Kudulis, Risinger, Price (KRP) Law Firm, we've put together a summary of those bills and the impact they will have on Louisiana credit unions.

While session is adjourned for now, our work isn't over. We continue to advocate at the federal level for the next COVID-19 relief package and are preparing for an anticipated second special state legislative session in October.

Click here to download the summary.
Leagues Partner with CUNA on Webinar Series for CUs with up to $100M in assets
The Louisiana Credit Union League and other state leagues from across the country have partnered with CUNA to offer weekly complimentary webinars aimed at tackling the most important issues and subjects facing smaller-asset sized credit unions.

Geared toward credit unions with assets up to $100 million, the CUNA-League System Small CU Webinar Series, which is sponsored by CUNA Mutual Group, will include timely topics, including new member growth, technology best practices, succession planning, marketing, board engagement and much more.

With every league and CUNA committed to hosting a weekly webinar, sessions are scheduled through spring 2021, allowing CUNA to record and create a library of 30-plus sessions packed with ideas and actionable information to help credit unions. Sessions begin on August 4, and Louisiana will be presenting our session "Financial Counseling Tips Anyone Can Use to Help Member" on September 15.

Click here to learn more or register for the webinar series.
Professional Development

Registration Now Open: Virtual Marketing & Business Development Conference!

Registration is now open for our Virtual Marketing & Business Development  Workshop!

The way we market our credit unions, promote new products, communicate with our SEGs, reach new members, and engage with the community has changed drastically. What has not changed is the need to grow membership and revenue to become recession proof. Our presenters will help you to refocus and reframe your strategies to not only keep up, but to thrive!

On September 9, hear from Eric Isham and the team from OMNICOMMANDER on reframing your Marketing strategies. The following day, Julie Ferguson along with HR expert Charry Krout will discuss reframing your Business Development strategies. 

You can attend one day or bundle both days for a discount. Sessions will run from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm CST.


Have You Heard

New Orleans Firemen's FCU Awards Ten Students with Scholarships
New Orleans Firemen's FCU (NOFFCU) is pleased to announce the ten recipients of the Reaching New Heights scholarship. 
 
NOFFCU selected ten members to receive a $1,000 scholarship to apply to their college expenses. The applicants were required to submit their ACT/SAT scores, high school standing, and answer a series of essay questions. NOFFCU selects one member from each branch, plus one employee family member. Ethan Abbenante, Alexander Benoit, Jordan Brignac, Cassidy Chappuis, Matthew Marino, Erin Pittman, Colten Poche, Kaden Swanson, Haley Tingler, and Poet Wolfe were named the 2020 scholarship recipients.
 
"If we expect our youth to continue to innovate and build a brighter future, we have to invest in them," said NOFFCU CEO Judy DeLucca. "Helping our young credit union members on their path of growth speaks to our core value of 'people helping people.'"


Neighbors Mascot Checking Program Contributes $68,340 to Local Schools during 19-20 School Year
Neighbors contributed a combined $68,340.30 to 15 participating schools during the 2019-2020 school year. The funds came from NFCU's Mascot Checking Program. The Mascot Checking Program invites high schools within the Greater Baton Rouge area to participate by allowing Neighbors to create a custom checking account for the school.
 
Mascot Schools have now earned a total of $163,556 since the Mascot Checking program launched in 2014. Walker High School earned the most contributions from the Mascot Checking Program this year with $15,402 followed by Denham Springs High School with $10,508 and McKinley with $10,364.
 
These checking accounts come with a school-branded debit card and Neighbors contributes money to the school for each debit card swipe. After the school has 100 active Mascot Checking accounts, the school earns ten cents per swipe, and the schools earn five cents per swipe before the first 100 active accounts.
 
"Because of how this product is designed, there really is no limit to what we can provide for schools," Neighbors President and CEO Steve Webb said. "We've seen schools start drone programs, furnish new computers and provide essential materials over the years. We look forward to seeing schools continue to innovate education with these funds."

In addition to receiving contributions generated from the checking account program, the participating schools are invited to annually select a graduating student to receive a Neighbors Way Scholarship. Thus far, the foundation has awarded $95,000 in scholarships.
 
The third and final component of the Mascot Program is providing complimentary financial education to the students. Neighbors FCU's financial literacy coordinator makes regular appearances to each school, and Neighbors provides financial literacy curriculum to the schools free of charge. Neighbors also has financial literacy centers at Walker High School and Denham Springs High School.
Pelican State CU Hosts Free Virtual Credit Score Workshop
On Tuesday, July 14, 2020, Pelican State CU hosted a free Virtual Community Credit Score Workshop for both members and non-members of the credit union.
 
The webinar was hosted on Zoom and streamed live on Pelican's Facebook page. Almost 300 attendees that joined through Zoom and Facebook Live learned the ins and outs of credit reports and scores, tips on how to improve their scores, and much more. Since airing, the Facebook Live video has been watched over 2,800 times.
 
Guests who attended the workshop were entered into a giveaway for one of two Pelican prize packs, which each included $50 Visa gift cards!
 
The event was completely free and open to the public. Pelican membership was not required to attend the workshop, ask questions, or win a prize.
Louisiana FCU Kicks Off Summer Reading Challenge
Louisiana FCU invites local children to participate in its new "Make It Count" Summer Reading Challenge, an initiative that encourages young people to reading regularly over the course of thesummer.
 
The "Make It Count" Summer Reading Challenge comes at a time when students typically lose much of their learning gains from the previous school year. According to the Brookings Institution , students are projected to lose nearly 30% of their learning gains in reading this summer due to disruptions to the school year caused by COVID- 19.

"This is the perfect time to encourage your child to dive into a good book," said Rhonda Hotard, President and CEO at Louisiana FCU. "With social activity so limited at the moment, reading is a great outlet for kids to learn new things, boost their imagination and gain a better understanding of the world around them."

Children up to age 11 can register to join the challenge, with the help of an adult, at https://www.louisianafcu.org/summer-reading . Once registered, readers can complete a number of diverse challenges, such as reading a book that was made into a movie or reading a book recommended by a parent. Each participant will receive a commemorative t-shirt by mail for their hard work. Registration is free and does not require credit union membership to participate.
Quote of the Week:
"To succeed in anything, one always works a little harder than one feels possible."
- Margaret Lee Runbeck


Educational Calendar

Upcoming Conferences & Seminars from your League:
Upcoming Teleconferences & Webinars from your League:
 
July 30:  Lending to Self
- Employed B orrowers
August 4: Fundamentals of IRA Beneficiary Designations & Distributions, Including SECURE & CARES Act Implications
August 5: Maximizing Recoveries on Charged-Off Loans
August 6: Advanced CTR Training: Beyond the "Textbook"
August 10: Bankruptcy's New Subchapter V: The Small Business Reorganization Act
August 11: Growth & Transformation Series: Leveraging LinkedIn for Lenders
August 12: Cyber Series: Layered Cybersecurity: Finding the Best Strategy for Your Credit Union
August 13: Fair Lending & COVID-19: Strategies for Maintaining Compliance


For a complete listing of educational opportunities available from LCUL, visit the League website.