Credit unions and industry partners are pulling together final plans to spread kindness in recognition of CU Forward Day 2022 on Monday, October 10. So far, 61 organizations have confirmed their participation in initiatives surrounding CU Forward Day supporting our communities throughout Minnesota and beyond. Giveback activities include 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. 

To celebrate the spirit of the day, participants in volunteer and giveback activities are welcome to join the CU Forward Day After Party, hosted by United Financials Making a Difference. This casual event is meant to foster community connections and will include an optional food drive in support of Keystone Community Services. Anyone involved in spreading kindness as a part of CU Forward Day is invited – register to let the after party committee know you’re coming! 

Please visit the CU Forward webpage for updates, to gain access to the CU Forward Day toolkit, and begin planning activities for this year’s kindness day.

​With questions, please reach out to Director of Engagement, Ben Hering, via email. 

​​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. 

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

​More information and submissions forms are available on the Marketing Awards page of the MnCUN.org website. Contact Julia Miller, MnCUN Director of Communications by email with questions.

Learn more about the outstanding programs, new initiatives and well-deserved recognition received by your peers recently. Got news of your own? Send stories, pitches, press releases and published articles to MnCUN Director of Communications Julia Miller. 

• Finance & Commerce announces 2022 Top Women in Finance honorees (Heartland CU and Mayo Employees Federal CU) 
• ​​SPIRE Credit Union Voted Minnesota’s Best in Four Categories 
• New credit union group finances first big deal: Normandale Lake Office Park's 8400 Tower 
• A passion for service: Kevin Crane thrives on navigating complex business challenges 
• AHCU Members Donate More Than 1,100 Children's Book For Local Schools​

Join the National Credit Union Administration’s third summit focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. This year’s event will take place November 2-4, 2022, with a theme promoting action: All-In on DEI & ACCESS. The two-and-a-half day, hybrid event will bring together professionals from credit unions and other financial institutions to promote the value proposition of diversity, equity, and inclusion for the credit union industry; share DEI and financial inclusion best practices; and develop solutions to industry-specific challenges. The Summit will take place at the Hilton Washington Dulles Airport in Herndon, VA, and sessions will live-stream to remote participants.

​‌We are proud to share Dawn Dunkelberger, North Memorial FCU’s VP of Financial Services and Ben Herring, MnCUN’s Director of Engagement, will join a panel discussion on Increasing Financial Inclusion and Attracting Deposits through Prize Linked Savings Accounts on November 3rd, from 3:30pm to 4:30pm ET. Industry experts will discuss member research around PLS and provide actionable steps credit unions can take to address this important subject.
Additional information, including the full summit agenda, is available on the 2022 All-In on DEI & ACCESS Summit web page.

The National Credit Union Administration Office of Examination & Insurance is hosting a webinar on the recently announced Simplified Current Expected Credit Loss (CECL) Tool. The one-hour live webinar will take place on Wednesday, October 12, beginning at 2 P.M. Eastern.

​The Simplified CECL Tool uses the Weighted Average Remaining Maturity (WARM) methodology to estimate the allowance for credit loss and is designed for the more than 3,000 credit unions with less than $100 million in assets. Larger credit unions can use the tool based on management and auditor discretion.​

NCUA subject matter experts will provide an overview of the Tool, demonstrate the Tool, and answer participants’ questions.

Participants may submit questions in advance by emailing WebinarQuestions@ncua.gov. The email’s subject line should read, “CECL Webinar.”

​Registration for this webinar is now open. Participants can log into the webinar and view it on computers or mobile devices using the registration link. They should allow pop-ups from this website. The webinar will be closed captioned and archived approximately one week following the live event.

​Last week, staff and board members from credit unions across the state traveled to Washington DC to meet with members of Congress on issues pertaining to our industry as part of the MnCUN's annual Hike the Hill.

Join your credit union colleagues for the virtual CREW Young Professionals Peer-to-Peer (P2P) on Tuesday, October 25 at 1 p.m.! 

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. We will open up the webcams and audio lines for the group to join our facilitated discussion. 

​This event will be made only via webinar/conference call. Webinar and call in instructions, along with session materials and resources, will be provided to registered attendees.

Date: October 25
Time: 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Location: Virtual/Zoom
Cost: FREE!

​Ultum Group is hosting a 6-week virtual Bootcamp for credit union leaders about starting, building, and creating a successful commercial lending program. Ultum Group is a Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO) that provides premiere end-to-end Commercial and SBA Lending services to financial institutions. Their goal is to give credit unions the opportunity to serve business members in their communities and across the country by providing products and services that exceed expectations. 

​Join the Week 1 Overview session to hear industry trends and the basics of commercial lending to help determine if it's right for your credit union. You then have the option to register for the entire series to build your commercial lending knowledge. 

• Week 1: October 19, 2022 @ 10-11 AM (Recording available through November 1, 2022) Overview of the industry landscape and the benefits of commercial lending for credit unions. Discuss industry trends and the basics of a commercial lending department to determine if it's right for your organization.
• Week 2: November 2, 2022 @ 10-11 AM: Laying the groundwork: creating a commercial credit policy. Review regulations, requirements, best practices, and more.
• Week 3: November 9, 2022 @ 10-11 AM: How to create and sell your new commercial offerings. Discuss various types of commercial loans, creating loans, and more.
• Week 4: November 16, 2022 @ 10-11 AM: Building your process: Overview and Underwriting. Identify a workflow and resources to accomplish it. Review business development and credit underwriting.
• Week 5: November 30, 2022 @ 10-11 AM: Building your process: Closing loans. Continuing the discussion around building your process. Review loan closings, collateral requirements, and an overview of doc prep.
• Week 6: December 7, 2022 @ 10-11 AM: ​Managing your portfolio. Learn about managing your portfolio with loan ticklers, financial reviews, Annual Reviews Servicing and modification requests, and more to set your program up for success

With questions, please reach out to Theresa Tschumperlin, CEO, Ultum Group.

The Minnesota Credit Union Network is dedicated to providing credit unions the training and resources they need to grow and thrive in today’s financial environment. Through its education and professional development programs, the Network provides information and training on a wide variety of topics. 

Please mark your calendars for the following 2023 Major Events:

• Impact 23, CU Day at the Capitol, Jan. 25, RiverCentre St. Paul,
• CUNA GAC, Feb. 26- March 2, Washington DC
  
• ​ACCELERATE 23, April 13-14, Radisson Blu MOA, Bloomington
• CEO Conference, June 21-23, St. James Hotel, Red Wing
• LEAD 23, Sept. 13-15, Madden’s Resort, Brainerd
• TBD: Hike the Hill, Washington D.C.

2023 P2P Subscription Option
MnCUN will be offering a credit union P2P subscription option, giving access to all P2P sessions for any staff at a credit union throughout the year. Any affiliated credit union may subscribe to the P2P program through a one-time, annual payment. The P2P subscription will come with a discount code unique to your credit union for registration at any of the P2P sessions throughout the year. More information and pricing information can be found on the P2P page. Individual session registration will still be available.
 
Make sure to check out the additional opportunities for you and your staff on the online Professional Development page and MnCUN Event Calendar.