​IMPACT 22, formerly known as CU Day at the Capitol, provides credit union professionals and volunteers the unique opportunity to learn about legislative issues and meet with elected officials. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, February 16, 2022, at the RiverCentre in St. Paul.
 
This important advocacy event forms the foundation for a positive working relationship with legislators throughout the Legislative Session. Through education sessions, legislative briefings, keynote speakers and legislative visits, IMPACT 22 brings the credit union message to elected officials.
 
Registration is now open. Early bird discounts are available until Jan. 14, 2022. With questions, contact Ryan Smith, Director of Government Affairs.  

The Association for Black Economic Power (ABEP) is a nonprofit organization created to establish a Black-led credit union to address systemic financial challenges impacting Minneapolis residents, particularly people of color. ABEP is currently raising capital for post-opening operating expenses for Village Financial Credit Union.
 
As the philanthropic arm of the Minnesota Credit Union movement -  the MnCU Foundation has established a special fund to receive donations from supporters for Village Financial Credit Union, and is seeking to raise $1 million in capital from the credit union community.
 
Contributions secured now will be highly catalytic for ABEP and Village Financial as they provide important grounding for the State charter application and NCUA application; evidence of traction as additional financial support from other sources are sought; and ensures operational sustainability during the first three years of opening. Here is how you can help:

• Credit Union or Organizational Capital Contributions: ​Organizations wishing to contribute are asked to complete a contributor agreement and make their donation by check or ACH. Donations will be held, and then released, to Village Financial Credit Union after regulatory approval to open has been received. In the event regulatory approval is not received, donations will be returned to contributors per the agreement. Contact MnCUF President Mark Cummins or Executive Director Andrea Molnau to learn more and make your donation.
• Individual Capital Contributions: ​Personal contributions are now being accepted online. MnCUF is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. For tax purposes, contributions may be tax-deductible. Donations will be held, and then released, to Village Financial Credit Union after regulatory approval to open has been received. Individual donations are non-returnable. In the event regulatory approval is not received, donations made by individuals will be transferred to MnCUF’s General Fund. 
• Deposit Pledge: Make your pledge today to deposit funds up to the $250,000 NCUA Insurance Limit at Village Financial Credit Union post-opening. Simply complete the online pledge form to secure your commitment.

 
More information about these options can be found online; or contact MnCUF President Mark Cummins or Executive Director Andrea Molnau  with questions.

According to a recent risk alert issued by the CUNA Mutual Group, brute force attacks on bank identification numbers (BIN) are on the rise. 

The Minnesota Credit Unions for Kids Committee invites all credit unions to participate in the 2022 Chain of Hearts fundraiser Jan. 3 to Feb. 28, 2022*. The initiative benefits Minnesota and western Wisconsin’s Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare. Gillette treats kids with disabilities and complex medical conditions in all Minnesota counties and beyond.
 
During the fundraiser, credit union members and local businesses are encouraged to purchase paper links and hearts that are connected and hung in lobbies to help illustrate the "people helping people" philosophy of credit unions. All proceeds benefit Gillette Children's Hospital.
 
To participate, credit unions simply fill out the registration form by Friday, December 17, 2021 and CU4Kids will provide Chain of Hearts materials at no cost. With questions, reach out to Director of Engagement, Ben Hering, via email or call at (651) 288-5519.
 
*Although these are the campaign dates, credit unions may participate during any time frame that best fits their calendar.

AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support the Minnesota Credit Union Foundation every time you shop at Amazon, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to the Minnesota Credit Union Foundation. You use the same account on Amazon.com and AmazonSmile. Simply visit smile.amazon.com, and enter Minnesota Credit Union Foundation when selecting your charity.
 
The Minnesota Credit Union Foundation (MnCUF) provides grants, community partnerships, professional development and disaster relief to help the state's credit unions and communities prosper and thrive. Founded in 1969 by the Minnesota Credit Union Network, MnCUF is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization governed by a seven-member board of directors from various Minnesota credit unions. 

Global chip shortages are already impacting the automobile and electronics industries. See why payments is facing similar issues as shortages continue and take action to protect your members. Our partner FIS has provided an article that describes the shortage, the impact, and what steps you can take.
 
Working to deliver banking and payment technologies to credit unions worldwide, FIS and its sales and customer service partner, CSCU, together are the credit union industry's advocate, partner and leader in total payment solutions. With questions, contact Kris Jacobsen.
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A partnership between the Minnesota Credit Union Network and Coopera Consulting has produced a report outlining opportunity for multicultural membership growth for Minnesota credit unions. The report is available to view on the Member Portal Publications Page (log in required.) 

​Debuted at Accelerate 21, Minnesota Credit Union Network members now have access to the Minnesota Multicultural Growth Opportunity Report. The report highlights the economic and demographic dynamics of underserved and marginalized communities of color in the state. It also highlights the opportunity for membership growth and unique characteristics of the leading underserved markets.
 
Coopera is nationally recognized within the credit union industry as a resource for underserved market growth. Formerly a Hispanic-focused company, Coopera has recently evolved to include many of the growing multicultural segments in the U.S. Coopera leads the way for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the credit union space and partners with several Leagues across the country.
 
This report and partnership with Coopera plays a part in the Minnesota Credit Union Network’s mission to ensure the growth and vitality of Minnesota credit unions, as well as to support diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the credit union movement.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving this week, the entire MnCUN staff would like to thank each and every member for supporting the credit union system. Our continued success as a movement depends on our ability to work together to achieve our goals. It’s what we do together that sets us apart and advances the movement.

​We are grateful for the support and trust of our members and are pleased to share the following testimonials: 

​“I’m a huge fan of our Network-inspired and led goal of introducing credit union services to 50% of all Minnesotans by 2030. I’m personally in this industry because of the impact we have on the individuals and communities we each serve. I can think of no other that leverages the collaboration and cooperation like credit unions. It’s an honor to be part of the Minnesota Credit Union Network and working towards this goal with all of my colleagues around the state.”

-Frank Weidner, President and CEO of Wings Financial Credit Union

“The Minnesota Credit Union Network is the voice of credit unions of all sizes, helping to make a positive difference for our members and industry. Belonging to the Network provides all levels of our team a variety of centrally located resources to support our day to day and ongoing initiatives. My staff has had the opportunity to serve on various committee and board seats, which has helped create leaders of our credit union. MnCUN also supports and recognizes both individual and credit union accomplishments, which encourage others to engage for the greater good. Centricity Credit Union values our membership for the collaboration platform, advocacy and professional development it provides.”

-Doug Ralston, CEO, Centricity Credit Union

"As a new credit union CEO, I have found MnCUN to be a valuable resource for me in many ways. The CEO Forum and Small CU Partners group are a wonderful way for me to connect with other credit union CEOs especially during COVID. The Friday Updates, Legislative Updates and other communications are a great way to stay up to date on current issues. The MnCUN Grant program has been a big financial help for us so we could increase the training opportunities for our staff. I am grateful for all MnCUN does to support Credit Unions in Minnesota."

-Maureen Daehn, President of Catholic United Financial Credit Union

Thank you all for your continued support of the Network and the credit union system. Together we are stronger!