The National Credit Union Foundation, in collaboration with PSCU, is excited to announce the launch of a new CUAid Disaster Recovery app to streamline and connect credit union organizations with one another when disasters strike to quickly coordinate resources.

The CUAid Disaster Recovery App, generously funded by CUNA Mutual Group and FIS, was developed by CU-APPS. As one of the three key pillars of business, the Foundation provides disaster relief to the credit union movement through its CUAid program. CUAid is designed to harness the collective generosity of the movement to provide grant assistance, and this app serves as an extension of that program.

The Disaster Recovery application serves as a “matching” service for credit unions to source and share emergency resources, such as generators, mobile branches and more to get credit unions back up and running as quickly as possible.

Credit union organizations are encouraged to enroll in the free program to receive disaster preparedness resources, to input available resources to share with others and gain the ability to seek resources from others in times of need.

Download the app on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The CUAid Disaster Recovery App also has a desktop version that can be visited here.

For questions related to the CUAid app, please contact the Foundation at ncuf@ncuf.coop.

The Minnesota Credit Union Network works to ensure the success and vitality of our member credit unions by creating a positive public environment through leadership, political advocacy, education, awareness, and regulatory assistance.

Despite the unprecedented challenges of 2020, MnCUN accomplished wide variety of strategic initiatives geared toward creating an environment for credit unions to grow, under the pillars of Advocate, Educate, Inspire, and Connect. At the mid-point of 2020, we wanted to give you – our members – an update on the activities that the Network has engaged in on your behalf.

Advocate

• Submitted six comment letters regarding regulatory matters of interest to credit unions.
• Responded to 348 compliance and legal questions.
• Two COVID-19 surveys were conducted, and Credit Union Impact Reports created and distributed.
• Passed state legislation to enable credit unions to protect older and vulnerable adults from financial exploitation.
• Stopped legislation that would have created a group to study credit unions acquiring bank assets from getting a committee hearing.
• Tracked over 90 pieces of legislation in the Minnesota legislature..
• Monitored multiple special state legislative sessions, working with leaders in both bodies to ensure that no anti-credit union proposals would move forward.
• Worked with Senator Tina Smith to introduce legislation in the U.S. Senate to allow for federal credit unions to expel members for cause without requiring a full vote of their membership. 
• Consumer Awareness initiatives garnered 21 million impressions statewide. Open Your Eyes to a Credit Union messaging shifted during COVID-19 crisis, and tactics included earned media, paid Public Service Announcements on web, social media and radio ads.
• Posted 96 stories to the Credit Union News Channel and influenced 65 earned media mentions.

Educate

• Offered over 90 education sessions and webinars; including major events CU Day at the Capitol, CEO Conference, and GAC.
• Completed the year-long Mentorship Program Pilot.
• Transitioned events to virtual platform, including a new virtual meet-up for the Crew Young Professionals Group, a Women’s Leadership Network event, and P2P sessions.
• Provided pandemic preparedness webinars and programming, including CEO roundtables, compliance, PPP and economic outlook updates.
• Launched a new virtual and video conferencing platform.

Inspire

• Hosted third year of CUNA Enhanced Financial Counseling Certification Program (FiCEP) in Minnesota in partnership with Mark Lynch and CU Difference.
• Recognized two CU Builders.
• Launched $65,000 grant pool to assist small credit unions with Pandemic Relief.
• Highlighted CU Difference through special impact report and CU FORWARD kindness highlights initiative in response to the COVID-19 the pandemic

Connect

• Launched new member website and association management system.
• Debuted new standalone website for WINcentive to connect consumers to prize linked savings accounts at Minnesota credit unions.
• Provided credit unions the COVID Resource Center and Clearinghouse web pages and published regular Digest emails.
• Launched the Minnesota Credit Union Employee Benefits Plan and have grown it to 15 participating employer groups.
• Welcomed a newly participating credit union to the WINcentive – Minnesota program and completed a participating member survey.
• Piloted strategic alliance and VIP partner education webinar program.
• Added CULS, CU Rise, Deep Future Analytics as Strategic Alliances as Strategic Alliances to help credit unions  compete in today’s financial environment.
• Joined the ownership of NetGiver; a CUSO which enables fee-free charitable contributions exclusively for credit union members through a mobile giving platform.

​The strength of the Minnesota credit union movement is represented by the partnership between the Network and our member credit unions, along with our dedication to working cooperatively to advocate for more than 1.8 million credit union members across the state. We appreciate the privilege of serving you and working with you to meet industry challenges and opportunities. Please feel free to contact Network staff at any time with your questions or suggestions.

Beginning in July, please join Minnesota Credit Union Network partners for a new webinar series, the Partner Education Program. 
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Over the past several weeks, the Network has seen success in leveraging our partners for educational and services support. Now, we’re expanding on those efforts to bring credit unions relevant content and by highlighting the impactful products and services our partners provide.

Register for each of the individually scheduled Partner Education Program webinars below. Stay tuned for updates and further opportunities to learn about the support Network partners provide. 

Thursday, July 30 – Financial Choice: A Financial Well Being Benefit Program: Lutheran Social Services  
Thursday, August 27 –2020 Economic and Investment Updates: The Baker Group
Tuesday, September 1 –Recovery Planning Panel: Strategic Resources Management (SRM)
Thursday, September 24 – Indirect Lending: Credit Union Loan Source (CULS)

Minnesota Credit Unions Support Strong Legislative Representation Through Fair Share Goal

To increase the political prominence and influence of Minnesota credit unions, credit unions must have a strong and sustainable political fundraising program. To achieve this objective, the MnCUN Political Involvement Committee (PIC) has endorsed the Fair Share plan, which challenges each credit union in the state to financially support political fundraising initiatives.

Thank you to the following credit unions that have met their 2020 Fair Share goal so far:

MnCUF Financial Education Grants support credit unions’ implementation of financial education projects in their credit union and communities. The Foundation Board recently determined to keep the application period open so that credit unions may now apply for funding at any time throughout the year.
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Applications will be evaluated by the Minnesota Credit Union Foundation Board of Directors and funding based on factors such as credit union value, community impact, collaboration, and creativity. Financial education initiatives may include projects in the following areas:

• Community financial capability outreach programs
• Financial education curriculum
• Financial experiential learning programs – such as reality fairs, in-school branches, etc.

For more information and to apply, visit mncun.org/apply-for-a-grant.

Created in 2008, the Credit Union Builder Award honors an individual’s dedication to the success, growth, and vitality of the not-for-profit financial movement in Minnesota.

Dedications are typically made at a special time of significance to acknowledge their contributions to credit unions.

In total, 73 individuals have been designated as Credit Union Builders over the past nine years. The name of the recipients are permanently displayed in lobby of the state trade association, the Minnesota Credit Union Network, as a tribute to those who have dedicated time and energy to building the credit union movement.

The honorees (or their families, in the case of a memoriam contribution) receive acknowledgement from the Minnesota Credit Union Foundation, and donors are also listed online and in the Foundation’s annual report. A minimum $1,500 contribution is required to designate a Credit Union Builder Award.

With questions, contact Andrea Molnau, Executive Director of the Minnesota Credit Unions Foundation.

As cooperatives, credit unions are deeply connected to our communities and share a mantra of being people helping people organizations. CU FORWARD, a Minnesota state-wide initiative of credit unions collaborating to support their communities through spreading kindness, demonstrates to our members the cooperative principles by which we operate and highlights the credit union difference to the broader community. This year, the Minnesota Credit Union Network is proud to announce that CU FORWARD Day, the annual celebration of credit unions spreading kindness, will be held on Monday, October 12, 2020.

Join us for the CU FORWARD Day Kick-off webinar on Tuesday, August 11 at 10 a.m. to learn about details for the day from the Network and partners, including donation drives, volunteer and giveback opportunities, and ways in which credit unions might participate this year. CU Forward Day coordinators, credit union leadership and staff are all welcome to join as we discuss what CU FORWARD Day might look like in 2020.

All credit unions and system partners interested in learning more about CU FORWARD Day may register for the webinar. The webinar is free and will be recorded. Please provide us your questions in the registration form and you will receive webinar instructions prior to the session. 

With questions, please contact Director of Engagement, Ben Hering, via email or by phone at (612) 239-0026.