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      • NEW CEO Feature
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      • Professional and Director of the Year >
        • Professional of the Year Form
        • Director of the Year Form
      • Elevate Awards
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The Pulse

Apply Now for NCUA Streamlined CDFI Certification

3/9/2021

 
The U.S. Treasury Department’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund designates organizations that provide financial services to low-income communities and to people who lack access to financing and that meet certain criteria as Community Development Financial Institutions.

Credit unions certified as CDFIs are eligible to apply for awards through a variety of competitive programs administered by the CDFI Fund. There is no better time to become CDFI Certified with resources from CUNA Mutual Group and Inclusiv.

Don’t miss out on funds that can help your members and your community recover from the economic impacts of the pandemic

Would You Like to be a CDFI? There is no better time to become CDFI Certified 
  • Apply Now for NCUA Streamlined Certification
  • Any Low Income Designated Credit Union that is not already CDFI certified may apply.
  • Must apply by April 3, 2021.
  • NCUA determines eligibility through credit union data file uploaded to NCUA’s CyberGrants Portal. For more information about streamlined certification, visit NCUA.
  • For more information and assistance with CDFI eligibility and certification, contact Inclusiv's Jules Epstein-Herbert, Director of Membership, [email protected].

Already CDFI Certified?
The CDFI Fund Rapid Response Program (RRP) has $1.25 billion in funds to award to CDFIs to deliver immediate assistance in communities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic through a streamlined application and review process. The Financial Assistance (FA) and Technical Assistance (TA) grants have $188 million in funds to award to CDFIs to build financial capacity.

If your credit union is CDFI certified and interested in applying for RRP, FA, or TA grants, there are some key deadlines to keep in mind.

CUNA Mutual Group and Inclusiv Resources​
  • Check out Inclusiv’s webinar from March 1st for more detailed information on the RRP.
  • Register for Inclusiv's webinar on FA/TA grants on Monday, April 5 at 2pm EST.
  • Register for Inclusiv’s free CDFI office hours, held every Wednesday at 3pm EST, with CUNA Mutual Group.
  • Visit Inclusiv to learn more about resources for CDFIs.
  • Visit Inclusiv for resources for credit unions looking to get CDFI certified, including a series of videos with CUNA Mutual Group on the value of CDFI certification.

The Minnesota Credit Union Foundation Scholarship Council Names 2021 Scholarship Recipients!

3/3/2021

 
The Minnesota Credit Union Foundation Scholarship Council (FSC) has named its scholarship recipients for 2021. With nearly 1,000 applications, the committee chose 16 Minnesota credit union members to receive one $1,000 scholarship for the 2020-2021 school year, for a total of $16,000.

The FSC considered each applicant’s essay answering the question, “Knowing that we have the power today to change the story of tomorrow, how will you prepare for future financial obstacles?” The FSC committee then read each submitted essay. Of the applicant pool, eight  traditional applicants and eight non-traditional applicants were chosen as a part of the rigorous scholarship application selection process.

Credit unions with selected recipients have been notified and will receive further instruction on member announcements by Monday, March 8. Selected applicants will be notified by their credit union.

Congratulations to the following winners:
 
Traditional Applicants - current high school or PSEO students graduating in 2021
Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union               Cayden Anderson                                                                                          
City & County Credit Union                           Abigail Berg
Ideal Credit Union                                           Megan Drayna                                                                                                  
Mayo Employees Federal Credit Union      Alyssa Launsbach
TruStone Financial Credit Union                  Karley Knudson
Wings Financial Credit Union                       Rachel McBride
Wings Financial Credit Union                       Colin Roberts
Wings Financial Credit Union                       Abigail Kahn
                                                                                 
Non-Traditional Applicants - post high school student, current college student or those returning to post-secondary.
Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union               Elizabeth McElyea                                                                                           
First Community Credit Union                     Alexis Cigelske
Hiway Credit Union                                        Whitney Bellant
Hiway Credit Union                                        Magia Sedesky
Ideal Credit Union                                           Sophia Ariola
Mayo Employees Federal Credit Union       Kari Ellingsberg                                                                                               
SPIRE Credit Union                                         Aftyn Lehman
TopLine Federal Credit Union                      Jason Bemus
 
Information about the 2022 scholarship program will be available by September 2021.

2021 Credit Union Awareness Update Webinar Recording Now Available

3/3/2021

 
Minnesota’s 2021 Credit Union Awareness Initiative is in full swing. The campaign, now in its third year, is a research-based effort to grow awareness of credit unions as the best financial partner for consumers. Digital media ads continue to drive consumers to the YourMoneyFurther.com website to learn more about the advantages of credit unions. Thank you to all who have committed to financially support this ongoing effort.

MnCUN held a webinar on Thursday, February 25 that detailed plans and enhancements for the upcoming year. Contributors to the campaign learned more about how to access new features and upgrades. The recording of the webinar is now available on the Publications page of the Member Portal.

Contributors to the 2021 campaign may now administer their own listing on the YourMoneyFurther.com website. To access this feature, we are requesting each contributing credit union select one admin by completing this simple form.   

The consumer Awareness initiative represents the true spirit of the cooperative movement to help more Minnesotans understand the advantages being a credit union member. With questions, please contact Andrea Molnau, VP Communications & Engagement, by email or 651-288-5527.
​
We look forward to continued success in 2021!

Minnesota Financial Fitness Network Meeting: Financial Capability for BIPOC and Immigrant Small Businesses, March 16

3/3/2021

 
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Join the Minnesota Department of Commerce, FDIC, and University of Minnesota Extension for a webinar discussing cultural contexts on financial preparedness for small businesses. Additionally, there will be breakout discussions on how public and private organizations can support small business financial capability. 

10:30: Welcoming Remarks & Webinar Objectives
10:45: The Impact of Culture on Information and Financial Preparedness
  • Mercedes Jaime, Business Development Associate, Latino Economic Development Center
  • Va-Megn Thoj, Executive Director, Asian Economic Development Association
  • Felicia Perry, Executive Director, West Broadway Businesses and Area Coalition
11:15: Facilitated Breakout Rooms: How Our Community Can Support Small Business Financial Capability
REGISTER NOW

Minnesota Credit Union Employee Benefits Plan Board Announces Election Results

3/3/2021

 
Four of the seven trustees for the Minnesota Credit Union Employee Benefits Plan (Plan) Board of Trustees (Board) are elected from, and by, the credit unions participating in the Plan. This was the first election for the Board.

All four elected seats were up for election. The following declarations were received by the deadline to declare:
• Aaron DeJong, President/CEO of Red Wing CU (Appointed Incumbent)
• Daryl Doucette, Chief Administrative Officer of Mid-Minnesota FCU (Appointed Incumbent)
• Mary Matheson, President/CEO of Wakota FCU
• Jay Gostonczik, President/CEO of SouthPoint Financial CU

Pursuant to the Board Election policy When the number of nominees does not exceed the number of positions open, ballots do need to be distributed, and the Board may declare each nominee elected by general consent or acclamation.
​
Since only one person was nominated for each seat to be filled, no ballots will be distributed and Aaron DeJong, Daryl Doucette, Mary Matheson and Jay Gostonczik are each elected by general consent or acclamation. The Board may seat each nominee at the next meeting, which is scheduled for April 29, 2021.
​
The initial elected trustees will serve the following staggered terms:
  • Two trustees shall each have an initial one-year (1) term, and
  • Two additional elected trustees shall each have an initial two-year (2) term.

Terms will be assigned by lot at the April 29, 2021 meeting.

Credit Unions in the News

3/3/2021

 
Learn more about the outstanding programs, new initiatives and well-deserved recognition received by your peers recently. Got news of your own? Send stories, pitches, press releases and published articles to MnCUN Director of Communications Julia Miller.

The InSPIREation Foundation Announces Financial Literacy Grant Opportunities
TruStone Foundation Donates $100,000 to Support Racial Equity and Inclusivity
Affinity Plus Launches New Credit Builder Loan
Filene Announces Credit Union Innovators Selected for i3 Program

Minnesota Credit Unions Attend CUNA GAC Virtually

3/3/2021

 
CUNA's annual Governmental Affairs Conference, the credit union industry's premier federal advocacy event is underway with over 100 Minnesota Credit unions professionals and advocates attending.

The first day, Tuesday, March 2, kicked off with a meeting with U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips and featured meet ups for CEOs, Small Credit Unions and Minnesota's Young Professional Crashers. Today's line up includes a Women's Leadership Network Boardroom meeting at MnCUN's booth in the Virtual Marketplace. Minnesota GAC attendees can stop by the virtual booth to be entered into a drawing to win an Apple Watch.
​
Tomorrow, attendees will meet with Minnesota Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith.

Three Minnesota Credit Unions Young Professionals Crash 2021 GAC​
Minnesota is proud to be represented by three young professionals in the Crasher program:
  • Sharon Bechstein, Hiway Credit Union
  • Maria Corradi Haines, Northern Communities Credit Union
  • Cory Ouellette, CREW Ambassador, Minnesota Power Employees Credit Union

Crashers includes young leaders with diverse roles at their credit unions. Crashers are selected though a highly competitive process, with 32 crashers earning free registration to CUNA GAC.
​

The virtual experience that CUNA GAC has to offer this year has opened accessibility to a total of 66 crashers with 32 of those crashers fully sponsored by CUNA and five by PSCU. 

​Crash the GAC is the largest Crash Filene organizes every year. It is a non-stop, career-changing program for young professionals that allows them to participate in the industry’s largest advocacy conference. 

Compliance & Regulatory Updates: March 3, 2021

3/3/2021

 
BSA/AML Examination Manual Updated
Last week the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) released updates to the Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering (BSA/AML) Examination Manual (Manual).

FHFA Extends Forbearance Period and Foreclosure and Eviction Moratoriums
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced extensions of several COVID-19 related mortgage relief policies.

MnCUN to Host Roundtable Discussion on Board Election Practices and Governance
As a result of COVID-19, many credit unions revisited their policies on governance, including annual meetings, regular board meetings and board election processes. 

FULL ARTICLES: MEMBERS ONLY

Top 5 Reasons to Attend Ctrl.Alt.Innovate, April 7-8

3/2/2021

 
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Ctrl+Alt+Innovate is the shortcut you need to advance with fintechs and power financial growth. Hear from leading innovators and position your credit union for the future.                

This event is a collaboration between eight Midwest credit union leagues and associations.     
​           
The registration deadline is March 31 and session recordings will be available for 30 days after the event.        
REGISTER NOW
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