Keeping you connected to key credit union news, events, and trends: May 8, 2019
In This Issue
Headline News

Game On! Registration Open for LCUL's 2019 Annual Meeting & Convention  
Board games can immerse us in hilarity, strengthen our connections and significantly stretch our minds,which is why we hosting family game night during LCUL's 2019 Annual Meeting & Convention. Scheduled for  July 31 - August 3, come  discover how you can be a better game piece in your members' LIFE. 
 
NEW LOCATION! The event will be held at the Hilton Riverside New Orleans. It's not MONOPOLY's Park Place, but we like to think we are moving up like CHUTES AND LADDERS. Click here to make your move.
   
Don't be SORRY! and miss out on the opportunity to learn what it takes to win with your members. Click here to register!
 
Additional information on speakers, education sessions, and other events will be posted soon. Questions? Contact the League's convention team today!
 
Important Dates to Remember:
 
July 17: Hall of Fame, Memorials Deadline
2019 Ficep Course Ends on a High Note  
LCUL wrapped up its 4-month FiCEP with 67 students earning their Certified Financial Counselor designation. 

Since we implemented this program into our core curriculum seven years ago, the number of certified counselors has skyrocketed to over 500 statewide with no signs of slowing down.
 
With Susie Fair as the new instructor for the course, she has elevated the level of training so that students walk away with an action plan to implement and/or improve the Financial Education and Counseling Programs offered by their credit union. 

Through a process of mind mapping exercises, students worked in groups to think through implementation procedures for a variety of financial education programs including:
  • One-on-One Counseling Programs
  • School Aged / Youth Based Programs
  • Group / Community Based Programs
  • Productive Counseling Programs
  • Preventative Counseling Programs
  • Social Media based Counseling Programs
 
Colleen Desselle, Marketing Director of CSE FCU earned her certification back in 2014 and joined in on yesterday's training to help her team come up with their next step. "Gaining the knowledge is just the first step in the process. Taking that knowledge and using it in the most productive and effective ways to help our members is the ultimate goal."  
 
Did you know that Counselors are re-certified every three years so that their skills are sharp, refined and updated?  If your certificate was issued in 2016, it's time for you to recertify and LCUL has made it easy for you.  Click here before May 24!
Louisiana Credit Unions Join Forces to Offer One-of-Kind Tuition Assistance Grants
Movement Raises $8,000 to Recognize Louisiana's 2019 Young Hero Award Recipients

Louisiana Public Broadcasting (LPB) and the Rotary Club of Baton Rouge honored eight recipients of the 2019 Louisiana Young Heroes Awards on April 15.  The Louisiana Young Heroes Awards honor students in grades 7-12 who have overcome obstacles in their lives, done well academically despite those obstacles, and served their communities, schools, and/or charitable ventures.
 
In an effort to recognize them for exemplifying the credit union philosophy of 'people helping people', credit unions across the state pooled their money together to fund tuition assistance grants. The first of its kind, each Young Hero award recipient received a $1,000 check from the Louisiana Credit Union League, the state trade association for Louisiana credit unions.
 
Rotarian, Young Heroes Committee Member, and CEO of Neighbors FCU Steve Webb presented each Young Hero with a check on behalf of Louisiana credit unions. "Credit unions strive to improve the lives of the communities they serve each and every day, much like these amazing individuals. We are honored to be a part of something special and hope that this helps jump start what promises to be a bright future," commented Webb.

 
Throughout the day of April 15, the students participated in a service project by creating Baskets of Hope for children diagnosed with cancer. The honorees and their families then toured Tiger Stadium and enjoyed lunch at the Old Governor's Mansion, where the students received Certificates of Recognition signed by Governor John Bel Edwards. The group was celebrated at an awards ceremony that night at the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center, which was livestreamed by LPB and is archived at lpb.org/heroes.
Participate in 2019 Emergency Preparedness Coalition Meetings
During LCUL's Governmental Affairs Conference last week in Baton Rouge, the LOFI presentation referenced nine meetings being held around the state for financial institutions, regulators, emergency preparedness officials, law enforcement officials, national weather service and armored carriers. The purpose of these meetings is to share emergency preparedness plans and best practices. 

Click here for a listing of the remaining meetings.
Professional Development

So Many Programs, So Little Time!
LCUL has so many education opportunities available between now and the end of August, there's no way we can no way we can pick just one to focus on.

Not only do we produce our own programming, we also co-host with other leagues,  as well as occasionally endorse and collaborate with some of the national programs that chose to host their events in New Orleans.
 
Take a look at the Educational Opportunities Newsletter that went out yesterday to see more about sessions for Account Reps, Lending Team, Supervisory Committees, Directors, Collections Team and many more!
 
If you're not already receiving that newsletter, contact LCUL's Education Department to receive it once a month to help you plan the best trainings to suit your needs.  
News from CUNA Mutual

April 2019 CU Trends Report Now Available
CUNA Mutual Group's Credit Union Trends Report for April 2019 is now available online.

During February, credit unions picked up 281,000 in new memberships and loan and savings balances grew at an 8.7% and 6% seasonally-adjusted annualized pace, respectively. Firms hired 33,000 workers, nominal consumer spending rose 1% and long-term interest rates decreased 3 basis points. Real GDP growth is expected to decelerate to 2.1% in 2019, slower than the 3% pace reported in 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  [email protected] .
Have you Heard?

Greater New Orleans FCU Employees Donate Books to Daughters of Charity Health Centers
Employees of Greater New Orleans FCU donated  books and funds to promote literacy for children in the community. GNO FCU partnered with the Daughters of Charity Health Centers' Read for Your Health Program. This program is an initiative of Reach Out and Read®, which makes literacy promotion a standard part of pediatric primary care so that children grow up with books and a love for reading. Through the program, providers "prescribe" age-appropriate books to patients during pediatric well-visits, stimulating early brain development and building children's mental muscles and their reading libraries. The program counts on the generous support from those in the metro area to fund books for the giveaway.

With the help of GNO FCU employees, the program received over 500 books for its pediatric patients as well as a monetary donation to finance future books. "We are always eager to help those in our community" says Janet Sanders, CEO of GNO FCU. "Our employees truly understand the importance of contributing to those in need, and their generosity is immense. It's definitely a pleasure to work with such kind and caring individuals."
First Pioneers FCU Hosts Teen Financial Class
First Pioneers FCU in Lafayette recently teamed with Macaroni Kid to present a Basic Finances for Teens class.  The class covered financial basics including money management, spending habits, budgeting, basics of checking and savings accounts and lifestyle planning. 

The class was very well received by the students and parents with several students requesting further classes and inquiring about the next class date.  With so many schools no longer offering basic financial training, First Pioneers is hopeful that they can continue offering these classes to the public in an effort to educate young people in the Lafayette community on important life lessons.
Louisiana FCU Shreds Over 3,800 lbs of Paper
Last month, Louisiana FCU helped the local community kick start their spring-cleaning with free unlimited shredding.  This two-hour  shred event was hosted at the Belle Terre branch. Members of the community were encouraged to come out and shred items including bank statements, medical records, pay stubs, old tax returns, insurance records, credit card statement, and even old driver's licenses or passports.
 
"Thieves look for every opportunity to gain access to personal private information and sensitive materials. By shredding your important documents, it reduces the  likelihood of identity theft, and it saves you from the headaches and worry of identity theft. Shredding gives you a sense  of safety and security knowing that your personal information is protected. We're happy to provide this service free of charge to our community," stated Tracey Huff, Director of Compliance and Risk at the credit union.
 
In just two hours, Louisiana FCU helped over 60 people shred truckloads of paperwork and important documents. At the end of the event, 3,890 lbs. of paper had been shredded.
Wymar FCU Hosts Annual Meeting, Awards Three Scholarship Recipients
Wymar FCU celebrated another successful Annual Membership Meeting & Dinner in April. Themed "Picnic in that Parc", the meeting took place at Parc 73 in Prairieville. The credit union had almost 400 members come together for a recap of a great year in 2018 and discussed what is ahead. This was also the first year Wymar FCU launched their College Scholarship Program. They presented three winners with their $500 College Scholarship checks at the event! 
Quote of the Week:
"No matter how brilliant your mind or strategy, if you're playing a solo game, you'll always lose out to a team."
- Reid Hoffman

Educational Calendar
Upcoming Conferences & Seminars from your League:

June 16-18:   LA/MS Volunteer Conference
June 18: Essentials of Share Accounts
June 25-26: ULend Academy

Upcoming Teleconferences & Webinars from your League:

May 9: Job-Specific BSA Training for Lenders  
May 13: Accurately Completing the SAR Line-by-Line
May 15: Teller Training Series: Managing Dual Control & Cash Limits
May 16: Hot Issues in Cyber Compliance
May 20: Top 10 Ways to Mitigate ACH Payment Risk
May 21: Evaluating Collateral & Personal Guarantees for Loan Repayment
May 22: Repossession Practices, Compliance & Limitations
May 23: Supervisory Committees:  Understanding Expectations & Avoiding Landmines
May 29: ACH Stop Payments vs. Unauthorized Extended Returns: Know the Difference
May 30: Military Lending Act & SCRA: Compliance & Lessons Learned  

For a complete listing of educational opportunities available from LCUL, visit the League website.
Copyright © 2018 Louisiana Credit Union League 
824 Elmwood Park Blvd, Suite 200, Harahan, LA  70123
(800) 452-7221   www.lcul.com