Keeping you connected to key credit union news, events, and trends: March 4, 2020
In This Issue
Headline News

Louisiana Recognized Nationally for PAC Fundraising at CUNA GAC
CUNA recognized credit unions around the country for outstanding advocacy and fundraising efforts during the Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC) in Washington, D.C. last week. The Louisiana credit union system was awarded the National Vanguard Award for exceeding its CULAC goal in 2019.

"Now more than ever, the credit union movement depends on legislators' understanding the credit union difference. Legislative bills designed to add taxation or increase regulations are presented to Congress each year, so the work CULAC does is vital. The Vanguard Award shows that Louisiana understands the importance of CULAC and is committed to investing in the future of this industry. I couldn't be prouder to represent such a strong PAC with an even strong grassroots participation. Louisiana credit unions have certainly earned this award as well as the national recognition that comes with it," commented Bob Gallman, LCUL President/CEO.
State GAC Adds Community Development Finance Summit to the Lineup
Hosted by the Louisiana Credit Union League in partnership with the Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations and facilitated by CU Strategic Planning.

Credit unions across the state work with non-profit organizations to increase their impact by lending to consumers to improve their lives. Some non-profits even donate office space for credit union loan officers.

Join us on April 14 during LCUL's Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC) for an interactive conversation with non-profit leaders representing each region of the state. Hear from them directly as to why they are willing to send pipelines of loans to credit unions. Learn what products their clients need and how they are willing to provide financial education, budgeting and intervention to mitigate risk. The panel even includes some organizations that aren't yet working with credit unions that want to work with your credit union.

Register for LCUL's State GAC to learn more about changing lives through partnerships between non-profits agencies and not-for-profit credit unions.
Last Chance: CONNECT with the Solutions to Tomorrow's Challenges
Time is running our to register for CU CONNECT, a one-day event comprised of a vendor marketplace, education breakouts, networking and idea sharing forum. We're back for year two to propel your operations and service success with the latest trends, products, services and strategies.
 
Breakout sessions touch on some of the most relevant topics facing our industry:
  • Text Messaging for Credit Unions
  • What is Really the Problem? Steps to Solving Employee Issues
  • You Can Keep Wasting Money...or Double the Impact of Your Marketing Spending
  • CECL - What You Actually Need to Know: A Practical Discussion
  • Value driven Retention, Retirement, and Yield
  • Hacking Lessons Learned
LCUL Supportive of Proposed Bills Regarding CU Governance
LCUL is supportive of three credit union governance bills introduced last week - including two announced during the general session at the 2020 CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference in Washington, D.C.
  • The Credit Union Fairness Act, S.3326, would strike from the Federal Credit Union Act the requirement that boards of directors review membership applications and the hiring of loan officers, and provide NCUA with a record of the credit union's loan officers.
  • Democratic Rep. Katie Porter of California announced that she will introduce a bill, the Credit Union Board Governance Modernization Act, H.R.5981, with Republican Rep. Mark Amodei of Nevada. The bill would modify the Federal Credit Union Act requirement that credit union boards meet once a month to not more than six times per year.
  • Democratic Sen. Tina Smith of Minnesota and Republican Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska introduced the Credit Union Governance Modernization Act of 2020, S.3323, which would allow a credit union board to expel a member for cause and other purposes.
Business Solutions

Avoid Compliance Uncertainty with Guidance and Best Practices
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After more than a decade, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued a new policy statement designed to clarify how it will define, supervise and enforce "abusive" standards under the Dodd-Frank Act. Learn how the Bureau plans to ensure clarity going forward.

Click here to read more.
Young Professionals Network

Apply Now: Reverse Crash, YP of the Year
Want to attend the YPN Workshop but are over 40? Apply to be a reverse CRASHER! 
 
For the forth year, the YPN will be hosting a Reverse Crash Program. The Reverse Crash program will be open to all "seasoned" credit union employees and volunteers that are 41 and older. Do you think anyone at your credit union has what it takes to be a reverse crasher? Let them know about this opportunity. Click here for the application to apply!
 
At our Workshop, we will award one lucky CU young professional with the YP of the Year award. Do you know someone that is deserving of this award?
 
Young Credit Union Professionals across Louisiana continue to positively impact their credit union members, community, state, and beyond. The time has come to recognize and reward the leadership and passion that drives our Young Professionals in fostering the 'People Helping People' difference in our members' lives. Nominate someone that you feel is deserving of the designation YP of the Year.  Click here for the nomination form! 
 
The deadline to apply for both of these opportunities is March 12. If you have any questions, contact [email protected].
Have you Heard?

Section 705 FCU Ushers in New CEO
It is with a grateful heart that Section 705 FCU announces the retirement of Anna Trahan Suire, President/CEO, as of April 30, 2020. Anna has been the CEO at Section 705 FCU for 30 years and a part of the credit union movement for 42. She began as a teller at Acadian FCU and moved up the ranks to the CEO position. After 12 years at Acadian FCU, she took the position as CEO at Section 705 FCU.

When she began with Section 705 FCU, they had $5.5 million in assets and has since grown to a $33 million dollar in assets under her guidance. She graduated top of her class in CUNA Management School and was first in Lafayette to acquire the Certified Credit Union Executive designation. She has served as an Acadian FCU Board of Director, Lafayette Chapter volunteer, is a leading force in advocacy with CULAC, and League Board of Director. She has instilled in her team the knowledge and confidence to continue to think outside of the box and give their best to their members. 

Anna will be passing the torch to Melanie Riedl. Melanie has been in the credit union industry for the past 12 years at UL FCU and within the financial industry for the past 18 years. During that time, she has acquired many skills that are sure to bring the credit union to the next level. She began as the Marketing Manager and since then has become the Compliance Officer, Building Committee Chair, Grant Committee Chair, a member of the Asset Liability Management Committee while settling into her role as the Vice President of Development and Strategic Initiatives and part of the Executive Management Team.  Melanie is a 2016 graduate from the Southeast Regional Credit Union School of Management earning honors for both her individual project and group project.

Before joining the credit union, Melanie served in the Louisiana National Guard and is an Alumni of University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Melanie has served as President, Vice President and Secretary for the Lafayette Chapter and as a member of various committees for the CUNA Marketing and Business Development Council.  She is a Certified Credit Union Compliance Expert and a Credit Union Enterprise Risk Management Expert as well as a Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor. She serves as a founding member of the Louisiana Credit Union Compliance Peer Panel. Melanie was named one of CUNA's 2018 Credit Union Rock Stars and CUNA's 2019 Compliance Champion. 
First Castle FCU to Merge into Pelican State CU
On March 3, 2020, the members of First Castle FCU ($68 million) approved a merger with Pelican State CU ($396 million). First Castle FCU's 5,928 members, 3 branches, and 16 employees will merge with Pelican State CU over the summer of 2020.
 
First Castle FCU was originally founded in 1934 to serve the Corps of Engineers New Orleans District, and it is the second oldest federally chartered credit union in the United States. Today, with branches in Covington, Slidell, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' New Orleans location, the credit union serves all of St. Tammany Parish along with Corps of Engineers employees.
 
"We set out to choose a partner that would continue to provide enhanced services to our members and allow us to leverage additional resources for continued credit union and employee growth," explained Kirk Arnold, President/CEO and 28-year employee of First Castle FCU.
 
After interviewing several credit unions, First Castle FCU chose Pelican State CU due to its dedication to financial wellness, award-winning employee culture, and personalized commitment to its branch communities.
 
"Pelican State CU is dedicated to continuing First Castle FCU's commitment to St. Tammany Parish and the Corps of Engineers, and we look forward to providing its members with beneficial products and services for many years to come," said Jeffrey K. Conrad, President/CEO of Pelican State CU.
 
Pelican State CU currently serves 55,563 members and has 300 employees across Louisiana. This is Pelican State CU's 13th and largest merger to date, and the credit union is eager to work with First Castle FCU to preserve its values, history, workforce, and branches throughout this process.
Campus Federal Announces Winner of Score Big LSU Basketball Ticket Giveaway
Campus Federal announced the winner of their recent promotional giveaway, Score Big LSU Basketball Ticket Giveaway, in partnership with LSU Sports Properties. The winner received two tickets to the LSU vs. Kentucky basketball game on Tuesday, February 18, along with an autographed basketball and team jersey.

The promotion was created in partnership with LSU Sports Properties to create awareness of Campus Federal's unique bond and relationship with Louisiana State University, having served LSU and its communities since 1934.
Quote of the Week:
"Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it."
- Maya Angelou

Educational Calendar
Upcoming Conferences & Seminars from your League:

March 12: FREE Asset Roundtables
March 13: Credit Union Connect
March 20: BSA Officer Training
April 14 & 15: Louisiana GAC
April 21 & 22: YPN Workshop

Upcoming Teleconferences & Webinars from your League:

March 5: Understanding Marijuana Business Compliance for the Board 
March 10: Impact of Reg CC Rule Changes on ACH & RDC: Effective July 1,2020 
March 11: Challenges Facing Supervisory Committees 
March 12: Common HMDA Violations &Challenges
March 17: 2020 ACH Rules Update, Including Emerging & Real-Time Payments
March 18: Consumer Loan Flood Insurance Forms Line-by-Line
March 19: Qualifying Borrowers Using Personal Tax Returns Part 2: Schedules D, E & F  
 March  23:  Get Ready for New ACH Return Code R11: Effective April 1,2020
March 24: Collecting SBA Loans: Critical Steps in Protecting the SBA Guaranty
  March 25: Deposit Account Series:  Advanced New Account Issues: POAs, Trusts, Estates & More
March 26:  Commercial Lending Series:  Commercial Flood Insurance Rules & Best Practices
March 30: New Technology: Cash Recyclers, Pod Banking & Interactive ATMs 
       
For a complete listing of educational opportunities available from LCUL, visit the League website.
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