Keeping you connected to key credit union news, events, and trends: October 23, 2019
In This Issue
Headline News

Don't Miss the Opportunity to Win a Scholarship to CUDE!
Earlier this month, the Louisiana Credit Union Foundation and the Young Professionals Network (YPN) announced they are accepting applications for their second annual Credit Union Development Education Program (CUDE) Scholarship. 

Information regarding the program and the scholarship application can be found on the League's website. The deadline to submit your completed application and reference letter is November 30. 

The recipient of last year's partial scholarship, Clinton Wilson from Ouachita Valley FCU, had this to say about his experience:

"It was a life changing event that opened my eyes to who we really are and what we really SHOULD do. One of the most impactful things to me was bringing a human aspect into what we do. Most all of us know what we do and even a little bit about why we do what we do, but sometimes we see only see the numbers, the troubles, and even the frustration. What this training did for me was help me to FEEL why we help our members. After this training you are more than just "People helping People" you are "Inspired People helping people"." 

Click here to learn more about the program and  to apply for the scholarship.
House Passes BSA Modernization Bill with CTR Threshold Adjustment
The House passed the CUNA-supported Corporate Transparency Act of 2019 (H.R. 2513) Tuesday, a bill offering Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-money laundering updates.  H.R. 2513 addresses redundancies, unnecessary burdens, and opportunities for efficiencies within the Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering (BSA/AML) statutory framework.  

The successful Waters amendment adds the text of the Coordinating Oversight, Upgrading and Innovating Technology and Examiner Reform (COUNTER) Act (H.R. 2514), which was passed by the House Financial Services Committee unanimously in May.

Specifically, it would index the Currency Transaction Report (CTR) thresholds for inflation and further study the impact of Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs).

The bill now moves to the Senate.
Professional Development

If You Offer IRA's To You Members, You Can't Miss this Training! 
Train in Jackson Mississippi with the name that's synonymous with IRAs, Ascensus! Pick one day or both to customize the level of training you need.

In IRA Essentials on November 20th attendees gain a solid foundation of IRA knowledge through exercises designed to help them apply information to job-related situations. Attendees will leave this session able to work with IRA owners and process basic IRA transactions with confidence.
 
Advanced IRAs on November 21st builds upon basic IRA knowledge to address more complex IRA issues that may arise. The instructor will assume previous IRA knowledge and use real-world exercises to help participants apply information to job-related situations.
 
Note: You will be re-directed to MSCUA's website for registration.  
Financial Crimes Symposium in New Orleans November 19
This annual event, sponsored by ePay Resources gives Financial Institutions the unique opportunity to join together with law enforcement agents, experts in white collar crime and security professionals to gain valuable insight from to facilitate the reduction of fraud exposure and loss for all payments industry stakeholders. This is the place to hear the latest in innovative fraud reduction technology, network with law enforcement experts, and experience greater cooperation among all players working to reduce financial fraud! 

Shared Branching

Sign Up Today to Attend 2019 Users Meeting
CUCB participants are invited to attend a Users Meeting on Wednesday, October 30 in Baton Rouge. The meeting will be held from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Clarion Inn & Conference Center in Gonzales. 

During the meeting you will hear from CO-OP, Labarre Associates, and Omni Commander on topics that include:
  • Fraud & COOPER
  • Disaster Preparedness & Recovery
  • Promoting Shared Branching to your members
Attendance at this meeting is free of charge. Lunch will be provided to the first two attendees from each credit unions. The cost for additional attendees is $25 each.

To register, please send an email to our Shared Branching team and include the names of those who will be attending. 
Young Professionals Network

YPN Chair Attends Catalyst Economic & Payments Forum
Chelsea Gstohl, Pelican State Credit Union's Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Chair of the LCUL Young Professionals Network, was recently invited to attend Catalyst Corporate's 2019 Economic & Payments Forum as a "young professional" representative. As an active industry participant, Chelsea shared her forward-looking perspective on content and speaker insights from this year's 3-1/2 day event in Catalyst's newsletter. Click here to check it out!
Have you Heard?

NAS JRB CU Celebrates 244 years with the US Navy
On October 11, NAS JRB Credit Union sponsored the United States Navy's birthday ball, celebrating 244 years of service. The ball was held at the WWII Museum as numerous sailors were recognized for their brave and honorable contributions to the United States Navy.
WESLA FCU Kicks off 2020 Year of Service on ICU Day
WESLA Federal Credit Union wanted to take the opportunity to act on the Local Service. Global Reach. Theme of ICU Day to kick off our 2020 year of Community Involvement and Service.

On Saturday, October 19, 2019 the WESLA Federal Credit Union staff volunteered with a local organization Feed The Homeless-Shreveport by donating about $500 worth of food and passing it out to the Shreveport Homeless community to about 80 individuals. This allowed us to work as a team and become humbled by a simple Act of Kindness that meant so much to this community. This is only the start for the WESLA team as we plan to take the ICU 2019 theme into our 2020 Planning and do simple acts of kindness throughout next year.
Melanie Riedl of ULFCU named 2019 CUNA Compliance Champion of the Year
Melanie Riedl, Vice President of Development & Strategic Initiatives, of the University of Louisiana Federal Credit Union has been selected as CUNA's 2019 Compliance Champion of the Year for the less than $100 million asset category. Riedl was recognized and awarded during CUNA's Regulatory Compliance Certification Schools in Dallas on September 9, 2019. 

Riedl has been with ULFCU for 12 years, but began in Marketing. She found a love for compliance early on and attended Compliance School in 2009. Since then, she has implemented all compliance regulations and updated all policies at ULFCU. The staff and board members at ULFCU rely on Melanie for compliance guidance as she keeps up to date on regulations. Over the past 10 years, our NCUA Camel rating for has improved and the number of findings and DORs have been reduced significantly. She has revamped the lending compliance program and spot checks loan documents for 'training opportunities' to help loan officers understand the importance of compliant documentation. 

Riedl is a leader in Compliance for the Louisiana Credit Union League's Compliance Peer Program, she has served as a CUNA Compliance Mentor and is a 2018 CUNA Credit Union Rock Star. She also has helped in writing and winning major grants totaling over 1.5 million dollars toward operations and loan production for ULFCU. Riedl was unanimously selected by the judging panel for being a role model for other compliance professionals. 

Her story was also published in CU Magazine in September. Click here for the full article. 
Campus Federal Volunteers Assist with Children's Miracle Network Cycling Benefit
Following their mission of community service and 'people helping people,' Campus Federal volunteers assisted with handing out registration packets and serving a carb loaded dinner to cyclists at the Children's Miracle Network Miracle Tour Cycling Benefit the night before the cycling tour.

Cyclists participate in bicycle rides to raise money in support of the Children's Miracle Network Hospital (CMNH) programs at Christus Shreveport-Bossier Health System, which is one of 170 healthcare groups in the network that serve the community and medical needs of local children.
Louisiana FCU Raises Funds, Awareness for Cancer Research
Louisiana Federal Credit Union (FCU) employees dawned all pink at their annual Sweet Soiree fundraiser to support the American Cancer Society (ACS) on October 17. In less than two hours, the credit union raised more than $7,380 to benefit ACS' mission to fight for a world without cancer.

"The success of this event is all thanks to our passionate staff," said Rhonda Hotard, President/CEO of Louisiana FCU. "Sweet Soiree is one of our most anticipated events of the year. This is such an important cause, and one we're proud to support. Every person knows someone who has been touched by cancer, so it's great that we can come together and help drive the research forward."

Sweet Soiree featured a 50/50 raffle and a live auction featuring bid items generously donated by credit union employees. The auction historically consists of sweet confections like cakes, truffles, fudge and other baked goods. However, those watching their waistline also had a chance to bid on items such as cosmetics, jewelry, tailgate kits, electronics and more.

The event has become a chance for employees to show off talents they don't normally flaunt during work hours. 

"I was blown away by the quality of the auction items," said Hotard. "From handmade jewelry and original artwork, to elaborate cakes. It's amazing that we have such a talented group of people all working under one roof."

Every dollar raised at the Sweet Soiree allows ACS to help people facing a cancer diagnosis today, educate people about how to reduce their risk for cancer or detect it early when it's easier to treat, and fund cancer research that will help protect future generations.
NFCU Staff Volunteers Throughout GBR Community for "Neighbors Day"
On Monday, October 14, 2019, Neighbors FCU's staff took its day off to volunteer with charity organizations at 14 different locations throughout the Greater Baton Rouge Area. In honor of this event, City of Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome proclaimed October 14th, 2019 as "Neighbors Day."
 
For the third annual "Neighbors Day," roughly 265 NFCU employees volunteered more than 1,000 hours of service to the community.
 
"I'm just celebrating the work that they're doing and honoring the theme of working and helping your neighbors," Broome said during her "Neighbors Day" proclamation.
 
Neighbors Day was established after The Great Flood of 2016. Countless employees and members were deeply affected. NFCU staff members went out into the community to support their neighbors in need leaving a lasting impression. An annual day of service was established in their honor.
 
NFCU's mission is to not only provide much-needed assistance to those in need, but to inspire others in Baton Rouge to give back to the community. Neighbors Day was a significant portion of the $406,289 worth of Community Impact in 2018.
 
"There are a lot of ways to define the success of your company," Neighbors President and CEO Steve Webb said. "For us, success includes investing in and improving the communities we serve.  Neighbors Day presents an opportunity to impact thousands of people in a single day."
Quote of the Week:
"Don't count the days, make the days count"
- Muhammad Ali

Educational Calendar
Upcoming Conferences & Seminars from your League:

October 29: Financial Counseling Next Steps
November 7: Financial Counseling Next Steps
November 20-21: IRA Essentials/Advanced with Ascencus

Upcoming Teleconferences & Webinars from your League:
   
October  24:  12 Key Elements of an Effective Digital Marketing Strategy
October 28:  New NCUA Bylaw Revisions: Abusive Members, Elections, Limitation of Services, Expulsion & More
October  29:  Personal Accounts: Ownership, Authorization, Titling & Documentation
October 30:  1099 Reporting: Foreclosures, Repossessions & Debt Settlements
October  31:  New BSA Officer Training Part 2: 
Reviews, SARs, CDD, Technical Aspects & Real-Life Scenarios
November 5:  Year-End Compliance Checklist  
November 6:  Top 10 Compliance Mistakes in Advertising  
November 7:  Understanding & Navigating ACH Rules for ODFIs  
November 12:  Reg E Series: Provisional Credit Under Reg E: Rules, Best Practices
November 13:  Closing or Changing Accounts for Consumers & Businesses  
November 14:  Mortgage Lending Series: Uniform Residential Loan Application (URLA) Line-by-Line, Required February 1, 2020
November 19: When a Borrower Dies: Rules, Procedures & Liabilities  
November 20: Robbery Preparedness: Meeting Your Annual Compliance Requirement  
November 21: BSA Special Risks: Policy, Law Enforcement & Regulator Issues  
                        
For a complete listing of educational opportunities available from LCUL, visit the League website.
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