At the October 14, 2022, meeting, the MnCUN Board approved the dues factor and revenue projections to set 2023 Affiliation Dues. Dues estimates are being sent to credit unions this week via email. To maintain our robust member services in an inflationary economy, the dues factor has been increased by a modest amount.

​​​With membership in the CUNA-League system, you have the support of the only trade association that ensures credit union priorities are front and center with policymakers, so you can focus on the financial well-being of your members. Additionally, our expansive library of tools, resources and training help your employees fulfill the credit union mission.
​

​​Contact Mark Cummins, MnCUN President & CEO , or Mara Humphrey, MnCUN Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer with questions.

​Minnesota was the first state to launch the national Credit Union Consumer Awareness Initiative in 2019 and since then, has seen both increased average membership growth and consumer familiarity of credit unions. The campaign’s digital-first strategy positions research-proven messages to put credit unions at the center of consumer consideration when needing a financial service.

​In 2022, the YourMoneyFurther initiative shifted to a consideration-and-conversion strategy, upgraded to a more vibrant brand, and expanded opportunities for credit unions to capture qualified leads. Based on the success of the program and feedback from credit unions, the 2023 initiative plans to connect consumers more directly and measurably to participating credit unions, while continuing to create consideration and awareness overall.

​This change is also allowing for a change in pricing structure, moving away from a contribution/donation model to a participation and service delivery model.

Join MnCUN and CU Awareness on Monday, Oct. 31 at 1:00 p.m. to hear an update on the Minnesota initiative and learn more about the changes ahead.  We will be joined by Christopher Lorence of CU Awareness, and Blois Olson of Fluence Media. Content will include current results of 2022 strategies, and an overview of plans and new pricing options for 2023.

​The webinar is free and will be recorded. We do ask that you please register. With questions, contact Andrea Molnau by email or 651-288-5527.

The Minnesota Credit Union Network Marketing Awards acknowledges the outstanding programs credit unions have created to grow brand awareness and market to members and nonmembers alike.

​There is no cost to submit entries for Minnesota Credit Union Network-affiliated credit unions and submissions are open through 11:59 p.m. Central Standard Time on Tuesday, November 1, 2022. Winners will be announced in December 2022.

Please note that the entry categories have been updated for 2022! Contact MnCUN Director of Communications Julia Miller with questions.

Entry Categories:
Complete Campaign
Design
Digital Advertising
Engagement & Outreach
Video

Asset Categories:
More than $1 billion
$500 million to $1 billion
$250 million to $500 million
$100 million to $250 million
Less than $100 million

​More information and submissions forms are available on the Marketing Awards page. 

As a dues-supported service, the Minnesota Credit Union Network (MnCUN) provides member credit unions with two free webinars yearly from ViClarity. The most recent webinar, on the topic of Elder Abuse and Financial Exploitation, is posted on the Members Only portal of the mncun.org website. 

​Additionally, MnCUN partners with ViClarity (formerly PolicyWorks) to provide credit unions with access to PolicyAid - a comprehensive online policy library that provides credit unions easy access to nearly 100 policies.

​The fall CREW Young Professionals P2P session will begin with a discussion around cryptocurrency with Kaleb Olsen, Network Administrator for Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union. This will be a conversational-style presentation around what cryptocurrencies are and how they affect our business in credit unions. 

​We will transition our session to an open format discussion with credit union peers around professional development, career growth strategies and planning for 2023. This event is meant to be an opportunity to meet and share with one another.

Webinar and call-in instructions, along with recordings, session materials and resources, will be provided to registered attendees.

Date: Tuesday, October 25, 2022
Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Cost: FREE!

For a list of all P2P sessions, visit our Peer-to-Peer (P2P) webpage. With questions, please contact MnCUN Director of Engagement Ben Hering by email or call at (651) 288-5519.

-By Stef Luck, Trellance
Most credit unions don’t need to be convinced about why becoming data driven should be a priority. They understand that data is key to serving today’s digital member in the ways they expect. But how to become a data-driven credit union isn’t always straightforward. Most credit unions are surprised to discover there isn’t a sequential series of steps or “right way” to move forward on the journey. 

Data Maturity: A Journey with No Final Destination 

Even the phrase “data maturity journey” can be a misnomer if it leads someone to believe it starts at “point A” and ends at “point B.” This makes for a nice, neat visual – but in our experience, reality is much different. 

1. It can be overwhelming to feel a long list of steps must be taken before your credit union can begin to use more sophisticated data analytics. We have seen firsthand that it’s possible for eager credit unions to quickly begin using advanced analytical models.
2. Every credit union is different. Even within the same credit union, data needs will be multi-dimensional and dynamic across the organization. As needs and goals differ, there simply won’t be a template process that works universally.
3. A linear journey implies a final destination: once you reach it, you’re done. Not only is this unrealistic, it can actually be detrimental.  
4. A linear path is process-based and not outcome-based. The best path for each credit union will be unique and determined by identifying goals – not working through a set series of steps and hoping you end in the right spot.
5. Becoming data-driven isn’t solely a technological shift – it’s a cultural one.

The Four Data Pillars You May Encounter on Your Journey
Though every credit union’s data journey will be unique, most will encounter four data pillars along the way. There are no hard-and-fast rules about approaching the pillars in a certain order – credit unions can even work within multiple pillars at the same time.

Following are descriptions of each pillar.

The Minnesota Credit Union Foundation (MnCUF) provides grants, community partnerships, professional development opportunities and disaster relief to help the state's credit unions and communities prosper and thrive. MnCUF offers two general Professional Development Grant programs: the standard program and the Small Credit Union Grant. 

​Standard Professional Development Grant 
Funds opportunities for credit union professionals and volunteers to continue their education and training to sustain the credit union movement. Applications may be submitted at any time throughout the year and are reviewed for approval by the MnCUF Board during its scheduled meetings. 

Small Credit Union Grants – New Asset Level for 2022
Credit unions that meet specific criteria can apply for expedited reimbursement of professional development opportunities through the Small Credit Union Grant Program. Expedited approval will be granted if the request is for $1,000 or less; and the credit union has less than $100 million in assets as of Dec. 31 of the previous calendar year. If additional funding is needed, small credit unions can apply through the standard Professional Development Grant program.

Both grant options can be used for MnCUN events and programing such as our major events; Trailblazers; Data Certification; Webinars; or Enhanced FiCEP.  Industry trainings like CUNA Council conferences or designations, are also applicable options.

With questions about these grant opportunities, or to apply, visit the Apply for a Grant page. 

This Monday, October 10th, 3,000 employees, partners and vendors from across Minnesota dedicated the day to give back to their communities. 66 credit unions and partner organizations participated in large group volunteer projects, park clean-ups, food drives, contributions to nonprofits, surprising family members and friends in need, and committing random acts of kindness for others. 

​Later in the day, over 130 volunteers gathered to celebrate the CU Forward spirit with an after-party hosted by United Financials Making a Difference. This event fostered community connections and included a food drive to support Keystone Community Services. 

​This annual event spans every part of the state uniting credit unions and their communities in acts of service and kindness. CU Forward Day originated in 2013 as part of Affinity Plus’ Plus it Forward Day – an organization wide effort to dedicate the traditional “bank” holiday to volunteerism. In a response to the growing cooperative nature of the event, the Minnesota Credit Union Network began coordinating credit union participation and media efforts in 2017.

​Join the Twin Cities Chapter of Credit Unions for a fun evening of networking and trivia at AxeBridge Wine Co., located in the North Loop. This is a free event however we ask all attendees to register using the link provided. 

Date: Wed., Nov. 9
​Schedule of Events: 
5:00 p.m. – Registration
5:30 p.m. – Appetizers, Wine and Trivia
7:30 p.m. – Event Adjourns 

Location  
AxeBridge Wine Co.
411 Washington Ave N
Minneapolis, MN 55401 
​Cost*: Free to attend 
​*includes one drink ticket, heavy appetizers and trivia. Event is limited to 100 people.
​Registration ends on October 25th. Cancellations after October 25th or no shows will be billed $25.

​Parking: Paid street parking can be found on all roads surrounding AxeBridge Wine Co. Additionally, there is a paid parking deck located on the corner of N 5th Avenue and N 3rd Street. 
https://axebridgewineco.com/

With questions, please reach out to Mary Matheson via email at mary@wakotafcu.org