Next week, MnCUN will kick off a series of live trivia events to bring the message of the credit union advantage statewide. Open to the public and held at local breweries or pubs, the trivia games will tie-in personal financial and credit union-related questions to help spread the advantage to consumers in a fun, relaxed environment. 

​​MnCUN is partnering with Trivia Mafia to host the events, and will provide signage, promotion, and credit union advantage theme giveaways (CU Advantage bag and proud CU Member button).

Join us!  Local credit unions are encouraged to participate by promoting the event beforehand, sending staff teams in logo wear to greet members, provide and distribute credit union information and swag for prizes. A MnCUN staff member will be present at each event and Trivia Mafia will run the game. 

• 11/5 Sawmill Saloon & Restaurant (5478 Mountain Iron Dr, Virginia, MN  55792)
• 11/6 Hoops Brewing Company (325 S Lake Ave, Duluth, MN  55802)
• 11/12 Yesterday's Gone Bar & Grill (219 S 9th St, Brainerd, MN  56401)
• 11/13 Charlies Eatery & Pub (1654 Highway 52 N, Rochester, MN  55901)
• 11/20 Mankato Brewery (1119 Center St, North Mankato, MN  56003)

Please fill out this brief form to participate and you will receive a media kit to help promote the events. 

Contact Andrea Molnau, MnCUN VP of Communications & Engagement or Julia Miller, MnCUN Director of Communications with questions.

America's Credit Unions relies on engagement and feedback from member credit unions to inform strategies and a key component of that strategy is committees. Nominations for the committees will close Oct. 30. America’s Credit Unions Executive Committee will review all nominations. Members of the committees will be announced in early December.

​All interested nominees - including those who currently serve on a committee - are encouraged to complete the form. 

If you have questions about the committees or nomination process, please contact Teresa Hanson. 

Less than a week remains to cast your vote in the 2024 election. Whether you vote early or on Election Day, it's important to ensure your voice is heard. There are several resources to answer all of your questions about voting:

• The Secretary of State’s Polling Place Finder provides voting location and information for your precinct, including candidates and questions on the ballot. You can vote early-in person until Monday, November 4. 
• Not sure who to vote for or where candidates stand on credit union issues? Check out the Minnesota Credit Union Network Voter Guide. This summer, the Minnesota Credit Union Network contacted every individual running for elected office to serve to represent Minnesota in Congress, and the State House of Representatives to ask them their stance on credit union issues. We invite you to review the survey results and see where the candidates stand. If you are unsure of which elected officials represent your credit union, visit the GREAT website.
• CreditUnionsVote.com is a website that helps credit union members check registration status, request an early ballot, look up polling locations, and more. ​

Thank you for helping to ensure credit union voices are heard at the state and national level!

CFPB Issues Guidance Against Unchecked Surveillance of Employees: On October 24, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued guidance to protect workers from "unchecked digital tracking and opaque decision-making systems" based on its public inquiry. 

FFIEC New IT Examination Handbook: Last month, the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) issued a new Development, Acquisition, and Maintenance booklet which replaces the 2004 version. 

​CFPB Open Banking Rule (Section 1033) Lawsuit: Immediately after the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued final rule on open banking went into effect on October 22 the Kentucky Bankers Association and Bank Policy Institute filed a lawsuit. 

Join the upcoming Board of Directors Peer-to-Peer (P2P) on Thursday, November 7 starting at 3:30 p.m. in person. 

This event will:

• Be an open format designed for Directors from credit unions across the state to network and connect,
• Discuss governance, best practices, compliance, and session planning, 
• and how to be a highly effective board. 

​Date: Thursday, November 7, 2024
Time: 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM CST
Location: Minnco Credit Union | 2215 3rd Ave NE, Cambridge, MN 55008
Cost: $49.00

Snacks and beverages will be provided. For a list of all P2P sessions, visit our Peer-to-Peer (P2P) webpage. With questions, please contact Xiong Lee, Director of Engagement at [email protected].

The Minnesota Credit Unions for Kids 3rd annual CU4Kids Topgolf event raised nearly $14,000 benefiting Gillette Children’s Specialty Hospital.

The event was held at the Topgolf entertainment venue in Brooklyn Center, welcoming 97 attendees for an afternoon of driving golf balls and raising money for kids. 

​The Minnesota Credit Union for Kids Committee welcomed the 2024 Children's Miracle Network Champion, ZaLayaa Jahzara Wandrick to share the impact of grassroots fundraising.​

According to Gillette Children's, "ZaLayaa Jahzara is a wise-beyond-her-years 11-year-old who brings her creativity to every project – including the 2023 commemorative sticker for Gillette’s Walk & Roll event! She’s never afraid to try new things, despite living with multiple medical issues that impact her life daily."

​​Thank you to all the supporting credit unions and organizations who made this event possible and for benefiting Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare in St. Paul, Minnesota. Gillette provides specialized health care for children who have disabilities and complex medical conditions, helping them improve their health, achieve greater well-being, and enjoy life.

The Minnesota Credit Union Foundation's (MnCUF) Professional Development Grants are available to credit union staff and volunteers for education and training in order to sustain the credit union movement. 

2025 Professional Development Grants are open through Nov. 15, 2024. The MnCUF Board will finalize awards and recipients will be notified no later than Dec. 31, 2024. 

​Grant categories include:

• CUDE Scholarship
  
• GAC Scholarship 
  
• Financial & Audit Professionals Grant
• FiCEP Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor
• Small Credit Union Grant 
• Other Professional Development Grant (May be used for MnCUN Major event registration and travel, Trailblazers, the Webinar Network, or other credit union industry specific education and training)

​For more information on eligibility and to start an application, visit MnCUN's Submission Portal. Contact MnCUF Executive Director Andrea Molnau with questions.

Action was taken to set the factor for 2025 Affiliation Dues, using June 30th call report assets. Invoices and full membership information will be sent in December, with a due date of January 31, 2025. 

​Looking ahead, 2025 marks the 100th anniversary of credit unions in Minnesota. This milestone is a testament to the resilience, innovation, and collaboration that have defined us over the past century. As a member of MnCUN, you have the support of the only trade association that champions Minnesota Credit Unions, ensuring credit union priorities are front and center as we advocate, accelerate, and collaborate to ensure a thriving credit union system into the future. 

The Minnesota Credit Union Network, in partnership with America’s Credit Unions and its Political Action Committee (PAC), have announced $400,000 for Rep. Angie Craig (MN-02) in direct mail and digital ads to credit union members in her congressional district to boost her candidacy ahead of the Nov. 5 general election. The support is provided by the National Advocacy Fund, made up of donations from credit unions to support credit union advocates on both sides of the aisle.

​​MnCUN Chief Advocacy Officer Ryan Smith recognized Rep. Craig’s commitment to supporting the credit union difference.

"Rep. Craig is committed to protecting credit unions’ ability to help their members and communities so everyone can have access to financial wellness,” Smith said. “We greatly appreciate her support in cosponsoring important credit union governance and board modernization legislation and that she recognizes credit unions’ unique ability to serve small businesses.”

“We’re proud to partner with MnCUN as we work to ensure the next Congress is filled with credit union champions,” said America’s Credit Unions Head of Political Affairs Trey Hawkins. “Rep. Craig has consistently supported policies that would make it easier for credit unions to serve members and communities, and we look forward to continuing our work with her in the next Congress.”

​Craig was an early supporter of America’s Credit Unions, recognizing the new organization on the House floor in January 2024. She also co-sponsored the Credit Union Board Modernization Act and the SAFE Banking Act, a bill that would provide safe harbor for financial institutions that provide services to marijuana-related businesses that operate in accordance with state laws.

The Minnesota Credit Union Network and America’s Credit Unions is committed to continuing engagement with lawmakers and regulators to share the credit union difference and why a credit union is the best financial institution for all Americans.