​Due to the rising number of COVID cases and logistical changes at the State Capitol, the Minnesota Credit Union Network is shifting IMPACT 22: CU Day at the Capitol to a virtual event.

​Impact Day 22 will include a virtual legislative program on Wed., Feb. 16 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The session will touch on issues we’ll be working on at the Capitol and public affairs updates. MnCUN staff will also schedule virtual meetings with leaders from both bodies, and coordinate grassroots activities to connect with state legislators.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our Director of Government Affairs, Ryan Smith, at any time.

The Minnesota Credit Union Network, in partnership with the Wisconsin Credit Union League, is launching the second year of the Data Education Program in January 2022. Facilitated by Anne Legg, author of Big Data/Big Climb and Founder & CEO of Thrive Strategic Services, this data analytics education series offers tools and a forum for knowledge exchange to help key stakeholders fill knowledge gaps and launch their data journey with the assets they have at their credit union.*

The Data Education certification program comprises of seven classes, to be held in hour-long segments starting at 9 a.m. CT January 20, 25, 27 and February 1, 3, 8 and 10, thoughtfully scheduled to maximize learning and your day job. 

Data Education Program Outline
2022 Class Schedule

*You do not need to be a data expert or even a math lover to leverage your data. Any credit union leader, staff or volunteer is encouraged to attend; the only criteria to attend is that you want to improve your members lives.

With questions, please contact MnCUN Director of Engagement Ben Hering by email or by phone at 651-288-5519.

​Join the Minnesota Credit Union Network's strategic partner Strategic Resource Management (SRM) as they provide an overview on the basics of digital assets (cryptocurrency and decentralized finance) and distributed ledger technologies (DLT).

​​The revolution in digital money has moved into traditional finance, as cryptocurrency reshapes the way people borrow and save. This rise of cryptocurrency and its blockchain-based mechanism has captured the interest of traders, investors, and financial institutions alike. Due to the complexity of cryptocurrencies and their underlying technologies, financial institutions are struggling to understand the risks and opportunities of this $3 Trillion emerging asset class.

SRM will discuss six key areas of opportunity for financial institutions to generate new revenue streams by providing digital assets solutions and will cover real-world examples of credit unions, banks, and fintechs currently leveraging crypto to enhance their product offerings. Furthermore, you will learn how to avoid being disintermediated and actually leverage these technologies to reach new members and increase the engagement of existing ones.

Date: Thurs., Feb. 3
Time: 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
The webinar is free, however we do ask that you please register.

With questions, please contact Director of Business Development, Kris Jacobsen, via email. 

The Minnesota Credit Union Network thanks the first 10 credit union members of 2022! Dues renewal and information were sent via email to credit union CEOs/managers in early December, with a deadline of Monday, Jan. 31.

​Additional information about annual dues or membership with the Minnesota Credit Union Network can be found on the Members Resources page.
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1.  Riverview Credit Union,
2.  Centricity Credit Union,
3.  Northwoods Credit Union,
4.  Accentra Credit Union,
5.  Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union,
6.  Financial One Credit Union,
7.  Great River Federal Credit Union,
8.  Northern Energy Federal Credit Union,
9.  TopLine Federal Credit Union, and
10.  Virginia Co- op Credit Union.

With any questions about your membership, please do not hesitate to contact MnCUN President and CEO Mark Cummins or Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer Mara Humphrey.

According to the National Credit Union Administration’s (NCUA) Quarterly U.S. Map Review, Minnesota credit unions experienced solid performance along key indicators, including median annual asset growth, median annual deposit growth, membership growth and loan delinquency rate. Highlights include:

•  Annual deposit growth was 13.4%, ranking 10th nationally.
•  Minnesota credit unions once again had one of the lowest delinquency rates in the nation for the third quarter  with 19 basis  points.
•  Minnesota credit union assets grew 13.4% with $35 billion in assets, above the median annual growth rate of 11.5 %.
•  97% of Minnesota Credit Unions had positive year-to-date net income.
•  Membership at Minnesota credit unions grew 0.7% in median year-over-year member growth, ranking 13th in the  nation and above the national average of 0.4%. 

According to NCUA 5300 report data, credit unions in Minnesota now have 2 million members. ​​In 2019, MnCUN embarked on a goal to increase the percentage of Minnesotans belonging to a credit union to 50% by 2030. MnCUN analysis of NCUA and 2020 Census data shows that credit union membership increased to 34.5% with a 3.8% growth during the 12 months ending in June 2021.

​IMPACT 22, formerly known as CU Day at the Capitol, provides credit union professionals and board members the unique opportunity to learn about legislative issues and meet with elected officials. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, February 16, 2022, at the RiverCentre in St. Paul. Register now! Early bird discounts are available until Jan. 14, 2022. 

This important advocacy event forms the foundation for a positive working relationship with legislators throughout the Legislative Session. Through informational sessions, legislative briefings, keynote speakers and legislative visits, IMPACT 22 brings the credit union message to elected officials.

While we are hopeful to schedule meetings in person with legislators, please note that some meetings may need to be held virtually due to health and safety protocols. Access to the State Office Building is currently restricted and is likely to remain so throughout the 2022 legislative session.

​As in-person meetings are more effective and influential, MnCUN’s intention is to have as many with elected officials as possible. We will update attendees as we get new information and as our plans form around the most current circumstances.

With questions, contact Ryan Smith, Director of Government Affairs by email.

The Minnesota Credit Union Network seeks to help the credit union industry grow market share by creating a favorable legislative environment, easing regulatory burdens and increasing consumer awareness.

To help achieve this goal, MnCUN has established restricted funds to strengthen our advocacy efforts on behalf of Minnesota’s credit unions. This fund provides resources to strongly position credit unions on the legislative and political fronts. 

The Advocacy Fund is proactive in nature, helping to create a strong credit union environment and augment MnCUN’s advocacy efforts. 2022 is expected to be a busy political year with the Minnesota Legislative session starting in February, the redistricting of political maps and and an election where the Governor and entire legislature are on the ballot.

Advocacy fund dollars support grassroots materials and collateral to demonstrate the CU Difference to lawmakers, including the Working for Minnesota website and the GREAT program. Additionally,  The National Advocacy Fund, which is coordinated by CUNA, finances grassroots advocacy, electoral polling, research, and partisan communications. National Advocacy Fund dollars have been deployed in Minnesota for election engagement, polling and radio ads.
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Please consider supporting these funds and initiatives that help position credit unions as the best financial partner for Minnesotans and fulfill the “people helping people” philosophy. Credit unions who want to support the Advocacy Fund are encouraged to donate to the fund along with their 2022 dues renewal.

The Minnesota Credit Union Network team is looking forward to the Credit Union National Association Governmental Affairs Conference in February! In addition to the GAC featured speakers and breakout sessions, MnCUN is also coordinating Minnesota-specific events.

This year's events include: 

Network Issues Briefing & Luncheon, Wednesday, March 2 | 11:30 a.m. | Room 103AB

Prior to the Capitol Hill visits, MnCUN will host its annual issues briefing luncheon in room 103 of the Washington Convention Center.

Please Note: All Minnesota attendees must pre-register for the Network Issues Briefing & Luncheon and Hill visits. 
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Hill Visits 
Meetings with House members are being planned for the afternoon on Wednesday, March 1. MnCUN is proceeding with plans for in person meetings, but security and health protocols will dictate where and how we meet. Meetings may look different or be held in different locations than attendees may have experienced in the past and there may be increased security controls.

Minnesota Hospitality Suite
A hospitality suite offering refreshments and networking opportunities will be available at the Marriott Marquis Hotel for Minnesota GAC attendees Sunday, February 27 - Tuesday, March 1.

D.C. Mask and Vaccine Requirements
Washington, D.C. recently communicated mask and vaccine requirements for indoor venues such as the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, hotels, and restaurants. Anyone ages 12+ must be fully vaccinated by February 15, 2022. Conference attendees will be required to follow all local and federal guidelines that are in place at the time of our conference. CUNA will be asking attendees to verify their vaccination status through an independent provider. 

CUNA has also announced that they will be offering a virtual, limited content GAC option. Details will be announced soon. For more information visit, CUNA GAC attendee page on cuna.org 

Register for GAC
If you haven't done so already, please register for GAC at CUNA's website.

We hope that you are able to join us for these events. For complete information on these Minnesota-specific activities, visit the Governmental Affairs Conference page of the Network website.   

By: Steve Heusuk, CUNA Mutual Group’s Sr. Manager, Customer Intelligence. This article is provided as part of MnCUN's partnership with CUNA Mutual Group. Contact MnCUN Chief Operating Officer John Ferstl to learn more. 

​In 2008, the bottom fell out of the economy. The Great Recession devastated world financial markets, the banking industry and real estate. During this time of great economic upheaval, CUNA Mutual Group launched what would become a series of informational presentations to raise thought-provoking questions and share strategic insights to help inform Credit Unions’(CU) strategies for surviving the recession and thriving beyond. Some of the topics explored included “Why the Credit Union System is Needed Now More Than Ever” and “Battle for the American Consumer”. As a member of the team that produced and delivered these early thought leadership presentations, I conducted much of the secondary research on these topics and helped create this content. 

Fast forward 13-years. The COVID-19 global pandemic ushered in a new worldwide recession. And I now lead CUNA Mutual’s annual thought leadership research effort to help inform CU strategies.
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According to research cited in CUNA Mutual Group’s newest study titled, “Making Strategic Choices for Growth,” the CU value proposition is under attack as evidenced by: