Learn more about the outstanding programs, new initiatives and well-deserved recognition received by your peers recently:  

• Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union Opens JA Biztown Philanthropy Center, 
• TopLine Financial Credit Union Donates Over $4,000 In Electronics To Help Young Adults Prepare For The New School Year, 
  
• North Star Credit Union Participates in Golf Tournament Raising Over $4,000 for Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare, and 
• Mower County Employees Credit Union - Joins Chamber of Commerce.

​Got news of your own? Send stories, pitches, press releases and published articles to MnCUN Director of Communications Julia Miller.

Last week, the Minnesota Credit Union Network hosted a webinar on the new Personal Finance Graduation Requirement that was signed into law this year.

​During the webinar, Jason Kley, Co-Chair, Financial Literacy Coalition of Minnesota provided and overview of the legislative effort to get the requirement passed into law and the opportunities to advance financial education.

Follow this link for a recording of the webinar.  We’ll be continuing the conversation at our Financial Education P2P on Sept. 6.

The Financial Literacy Coalition of Minnesota and the Minnesota Council of Economic Educators are looking for individuals to collaborate in the implementation of personal finance course: 

• MCEE Board of Directors: The board is responsible for creating a long-term vision and handling the governance, legal and compliance aspects of the entire organization. If you are interested, you can express that through the survey linked below but recognize the MCEE Governance Committee will make final decisions. View a description of board member roles and responsibilities.
• Financial Literacy Advisory Committee (FLAC): MCEE is forming a new committee of industry professionals, leading teachers, and academic experts who will advise MCEE staff with respect to personal finance programming design and implementation. Advisory Committee members are not part of the MCEE Board; they will specialize in program content. View a description of the FLAC roles and responsibilities.

Complete the engagement survey to share how you would like to participate. Submitting the survey is not a commitment, but a statement of interest.

Join the upcoming Analysts/Business Intelligence Peer-to-Peer (P2P) on August 30 starting at 1:00 p.m. via webinar and video conference. 

​P2P sessions will continue to be held as virtual roundtables, providing open forums for credit union staff throughout Minnesota, for knowledge sharing, resources and connections. 

The fall session will be an open format conversation on Analysts/Business Intelligence. This event is meant to be an opportunity to meet and share with one another. The open session and forum will conclude with time to discuss questions with participants. 

This event will be made only via webinar/conference call. Webinar and call in instructions, along with recordings, session materials and resources, will be provided to registered attendees.
Stay tuned for further announcements and updates! 

For a list of all P2P sessions, visit our Peer-to-Peer (P2P) webpage. With questions, please contact VP of Communications & Engagement, Xiong Lee, by email.

Ahead of the graduation of this year's cohort of MnCUN’s Trailblazers Executive Readiness Training program in September, we will be highlighting the credit union professionals participating in the second year of the program. 

Christine Eblen, VP, North Branch Minnco Credit Union
Why have you chosen a career in credit unions?
I have been with credit unions for over 22 years and in the financial sector or nearly 30 years. My beliefs of service, giving back and paying it forward align with the credit union philosophy. I love that my employer encourages me to be a part of the community. I have the opportunity to help our members learn to manage their finances, set goals and achieve dreams.

How do you think the Trailblazer program will impact your career?
The Trailblazer program has given me the opportunity to work alongside like-minded individuals who strive to be great leaders. I have a better understanding of what goes into growing and managing a credit union.

What have you enjoyed most about the program?
My very favorite class was dissecting the call report. I love learning and understanding the why. It is rewarding to have the opportunity to learn with other credit union leaders. I am confident the connections will continue after the course is complete.

Brittany Kloetzke, Heartland Credit Union, Vice President of Lending
Why have you chosen a career in credit unions?
I started my credit union career while I was in high school, I participated in the OJT program where I would leave school for half a day and go to the credit union to work. I started scanning accounting, loan files and completed small projects for whoever needed help. I eventually moved to the teller line and learned how to be a Member Service Representative. I was promoted to a Loan Officer position and learned all I could about lending both on the consumer and mortgage side. I applied for a Lending Manager position after a few years of my loan officer role and was offered the job. My direct manager and I worked one on one to develop my skillset in order to succeed her position once she retired. I never imagined working in the credit union as a career when I started back in high school, but once I learned the loan officer role, I knew I found where I was meant to be and made a goal for myself to become a Vice President by the age of 35. I am happy to say that I accomplished this goal four years sooner than projected.

​​How do you think the Trailblazer program will impact your career?
The Trailblazers program has impacted my career by giving me a more in-depth knowledge in all other areas within the credit union, or instance going over the full call report in accounting, ALM management and different concepts for strategic planning. With all the various session topics and exercises performed, I have learned new skills and strategies to take back to my current role improving our existing processes and procedures at Heartland Credit Union.

What have you enjoyed most about the program?
I have tremendously enjoyed the networking opportunity, getting to know more colleagues within the credit union industry who are working in roles different from my own. I have enjoyed the content of this program while taking in as much education presented at each meeting. This will only increase my knowledge in my current role. I am hoping this will be my stepping stone to the next goal position Chief Lending Officer.​

Michael Landa, Branch Manager, Wings
Why have you chosen a career in credit unions?
Credit Unions offered me the autonomy to apply my experience and equipped me with products and services that drive financial goals.

How do you think the Trailblazer program will impact your career?
Learning the objectives and challenges of all the company functions will help me become a stronger team member.

What have you enjoyed most about the program?
The opportunity to listen and share with other passionate credit union professionals.

Emily Walton, Digital Experience Manager, Royal Credit Union
Why have you chosen a career in credit unions?
The core mission of credit unions is so powerful and inspiring: people helping people. I'll admit that I didn't fully realize it when I started at Royal, but I was immediately engaged by the amazing people I worked with everyday. Our culture and core values are genuine and I love working at an organization where our focus is on the Members and community we serve.

How do you think the Trailblazer program will impact your career?
The Trailblazers program provided valuable insight and hands-on learning for executive leadership. I appreciate that the sessions were led by senior credit union leaders. It provided the opportunity to hear real-life application and better understand the leadership and strategy at my credit union, as well as build connections with strong leaders.

What have you enjoyed most about the program?
Networking and hands-on experience.

The Minnesota Credit Unions for Kids Committee has announced the 2nd Annual CU4Kids Topgolf Tournament. Join and support the CU4Kids on Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at Topgolf in Brooklyn Center. Proceeds supports Children’s Miracle Network/Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare in St. Paul. Please see the Event Flyer for more information on sponsorships. When registering, please ensure to include all registered golf attendee’s email addresses for future communications regarding this event. Registration is limited. Deadline is Friday, September 15, 2023

​Contact Kim Peterson or Caitlin Brama via email with questions. 

2nd Annual Credit Unions for Kids Topgolf Tournament
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
11:00am – 11:30am Registration
11:30am – 2:30pm Golf
12:00 pm – 1:30pm Smokehouse BBQ
2:30pm – 3pm Raffle/Prizes!

Learn more about the outstanding programs, new initiatives and well-deserved recognition received by your peers recently:  

• ​Credit Unions Collaborate to Fight Financial Fraud (Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union, Brainerd BN Credit Union, Crow Wing Power Credit Union, Members Cooperative Credit Union, and Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union), 
  
•  Lisa Lehman Named to CUNA Marketing & Business Development Executive Committee, 
  
• First Alliance Credit Union Selects Brent Rempe as President/CEO, 
  
• Accentra Credit Union Secures Unprecedented 20th Consecutive Win as Mower County's "Best Bank / Credit Union, "
  
• Star Choice Credit Union and SharePoint Credit Union Announce Intent to Merge​, 
  
• SPIRE and Hiway are merging to create Minnesota's fourth largest credit union, 
  
• The CUInsight Experience podcast: Mara Humphrey – Bright future (#166), 
  
• CUNA Podcast: PODCAST: Fresh leadership perspectives.​

​Got news of your own? Send stories, pitches, press releases and published articles to MnCUN Director of Communications Julia Miller.