WEEKLY UPDATE FROM MONTANA'S CREDIT UNIONS | April 4, 2025 | | Happy Friday! (That's really all we have time for in this action-packed newsletter.) | | | Women’s Finance Co-op: Join us for a call on Thursday, April 10, at 10:00 a.m., to learn about the newly forming Montana Women’s Finance Cooperative and how credit unions can play a key role in supporting women-owned businesses across the state. This is an opportunity to explore engagement as a potential lending partner or collaborator in advancing financial empowerment. Register for the call today! | | | Economic Insights & Advocacy Updates: This month’s Economic Update from America's Credit Unions features exclusive insights from the 2025 Governmental Affairs Conference stage. America’s Credit Unions’ economists Mike Schenk and Curt Long unpack the current fight over credit unions’ federal tax status, debunk myths, and share data that highlights how credit unions continue to deliver on their mission. | | | InfoSight360 is Available! InfoSight360 opened on Monday as a groundbreaking new platform designed to integrate the power of two industry-leading products offered to our affiliated credit unions: InfoSight and CU PolicyPro. While each product retains its unique functionalities, InfoSight360 provides access to related content from across the platform, offering a comprehensive overview of compliance requirements. A single sign-on eliminates the hassle of toggling between different systems and ensures that no critical information is overlooked. At the heart of InfoSight360 is its artificial intelligence-enhanced search functionality. Visit www.InfoSight360.com to find your credit union's unique URL and get started! Contact Donya if you have any questions. | | | Goodbye Paper Treasury Checks: President Trump signed an executive order last week to phase out paper Treasury checks by September 30, with some limited exceptions. The move is to help combat fraud, including the large increase in mail-related theft, and help with the efficiency of the electronic payments system. All government departments and agencies will have to disburse funds via electronic methods, including direct deposit, debit/credit card payments, digital wallets, and real-time transfers. The fact sheet has more details, including a promised public awareness campaign to help with the shift. | | | Save the Dates: Our "President's Report" will start to look a little different. Starting today, important events for the following week will now be imbedded within this newsletter, and you will no longer receive "A Look Ahead" emails each week. Here are the events you need to know about for April 7-11 and beyond. (MCU events are listed in blue. All events are in Mountain Time unless specifically noted.) | | | |
A (Bit Farther) Look Ahead
| | | Power Up Registration & Hotel Deadlines: We’re prepping for take-off for our Power Up Conference & Expo on May 21-22 at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort! ✈️ With just over a month to register, you'll want to book your ticket soon. This year’s event lineup includes valuable education sessions, exciting entertainment, two FUNdraisers, and more. While you're registering, be sure to reserve your hotel room before April 28 to receive the best rate. We look forward to seeing everyone there! | | | | |  | |
Speaking of FUNdraisers, Don Gensler with ASI/ESI has a special message guaranteed to give you a head start on this year's non-golf fundraiser. Watch this video to learn more. ⬅️
Plan to arrive at Fairmont a day early to participate in the MCUL Trust’s Collaboration in Wellness Conference and the MCU Small Credit Union Workshop on May 20. While these events are both free, registration is required.
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Advocacy Update
Legislative Update from Helena: Today marks Legislative Day 66, and while things have slowed down on the credit union front, we’re staying vigilant to ensure nothing slips through the cracks. The House passed a $16.6B state budget, advancing Montana’s financial blueprint for the next two years. Earlier in the week, the Senate voted to censure former Senate President Jason Ellsworth, leaving him with no committee assignments, no office, and no floor privileges — he may now only vote remotely. If you have any questions or concerns about bills in the Montana Legislature, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Karen.
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This Week's Blogs
A Direct Line: According to the NCAA, the last perfect NCAA women's basketball bracket was busted in the 58th game of the tournament when UCLA beat LSU. According to this week's blog, you can still cut down a net — just not literally. Nominating an individual for one of our annual awards will have your team cheering come May 22.
Personal Finance Blog: Want to raise financially savvy kiddos and future credit union members? Start with toys, modeling good behavior, and the rest of the tips in this week's personal finance blog. This is the first of five blogs for Credit Union Youth Month. If you would like sample social media posts, graphics, and links to future blogs, download the toolkit.
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Don't Tax My Credit Union: One myth floating around among those who oppose credit unions' unique tax status is that credit unions don't pay taxes. On the contrary, credit unions substantially contribute to tax revenue at both the state and federal levels. In 2023, Montana credit unions generated $68.2 million in tax revenues.
We've compiled several resources to help you communicate the credit union difference and help protect the credit union tax status, but you can help advocating efforts by taking a few minutes to add your credit union's information in America's Credit Unions' Member Activation Program (MAP) platform. Your America's Credit Unions log-in is required. This platform provides plug-and-play content to help your staff and members better engage in credit union advocacy.
| | | Buy Two Webinars, Get One Free: Throughout April, buy any two regularly priced CU Webinar Network webinars and get one free! Simply add any three live or on-demand webinars to your cart, and they will automatically give you one free. Don’t miss out, the deal ends April 30. | | | |
The Data Refinery – Turning Raw Data into Rocket Fuel: In today’s digital world, data is often compared to oil – valuable but useless in its raw state. For credit unions, the challenge lies in refining this data into actionable insights that enhance member experiences, drive operational efficiency, and fuel strategic growth. With expertise and guidance, credit unions can harness the power of data to stay competitive, particularly in the AI-driven era. Discover the power of data for credit unions and much more in this article from Rise Analytics, a Trellance company.
| | | THE CREDIT UNION DIFFERENCE | | |
For over a decade, Whitefish Credit Union has collaborated with the Sanders County Ledger to host a pet picture contest fundraiser benefiting the Thompson River Animal Care Center (TRACS). This annual event has successfully raised between $1,500 and $3,000 each year! What began with around 20 pet photos has now expanded to nearly 50 submissions annually.
As a “No Kill” animal shelter, TRACS has a proud history of rescuing animals from across the country and ensuring they find loving homes. With all its directors serving as volunteers, every penny raised from this fundraiser goes directly toward the care of the animals. According to the credit union, the community enjoys visiting the branch to admire the pet photos and encourage friends and neighbors to vote, all while supporting a wonderful cause. That's the #CUDifference to area animals and the community!
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2025 Tool Book
I received a catalog in the mail this week from a local hardware store. It was their Spring 2025 Tool Book. You probably received the same one or a similar one as well. I normally put them in the recycling right away; however, my 17-year-old son is getting involved in welding, so I thought he would enjoy looking at that section.
As I skimmed through the catalog, I thought about our “tool book” for 2025. For me, I am focusing on areas of strength, like facilitation and strategy. These are tools I frequently use and want to continue to enhance my skills and add to my toolbox. I also want to learn more about governance practices and association leadership to incorporate into my toolbox.
What tools are you focusing on for 2025? Are you evaluating those areas of strength and finding ways to excel further in them? Are you looking at areas of growth and exploring opportunities to learn more? As I shared last week, Spring is a time of hope and renewal. It’s also a time to “get out” and grow, develop, and use the tools from our toolboxes. How will you use yours this year?
Have a great weekend.
Cooperatively, Gerry
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