MnCUN Highlights 2020 Mid-Year Accomplishments

The Minnesota Credit Union Network works to ensure the success and vitality of our member credit unions by creating a positive public environment through leadership, political advocacy, education, awareness, and regulatory assistance.

Despite the unprecedented challenges of 2020, MnCUN accomplished wide variety of strategic initiatives geared toward creating an environment for credit unions to grow, under the pillars of Advocate, Educate, Inspire, and Connect. At the mid-point of 2020, we wanted to give you – our members – an update on the activities that the Network has engaged in on your behalf.

Advocate

• Submitted six comment letters regarding regulatory matters of interest to credit unions.
• Responded to 348 compliance and legal questions.
• Two COVID-19 surveys were conducted, and Credit Union Impact Reports created and distributed.
• Passed state legislation to enable credit unions to protect older and vulnerable adults from financial exploitation.
• Stopped legislation that would have created a group to study credit unions acquiring bank assets from getting a committee hearing.
• Tracked over 90 pieces of legislation in the Minnesota legislature..
• Monitored multiple special state legislative sessions, working with leaders in both bodies to ensure that no anti-credit union proposals would move forward.
• Worked with Senator Tina Smith to introduce legislation in the U.S. Senate to allow for federal credit unions to expel members for cause without requiring a full vote of their membership. 
• Consumer Awareness initiatives garnered 21 million impressions statewide. Open Your Eyes to a Credit Union messaging shifted during COVID-19 crisis, and tactics included earned media, paid Public Service Announcements on web, social media and radio ads.
• Posted 96 stories to the Credit Union News Channel and influenced 65 earned media mentions.

Educate

• Offered over 90 education sessions and webinars; including major events CU Day at the Capitol, CEO Conference, and GAC.
• Completed the year-long Mentorship Program Pilot.
• Transitioned events to virtual platform, including a new virtual meet-up for the Crew Young Professionals Group, a Women’s Leadership Network event, and P2P sessions.
• Provided pandemic preparedness webinars and programming, including CEO roundtables, compliance, PPP and economic outlook updates.
• Launched a new virtual and video conferencing platform.

Inspire

• Hosted third year of CUNA Enhanced Financial Counseling Certification Program (FiCEP) in Minnesota in partnership with Mark Lynch and CU Difference.
• Recognized two CU Builders.
• Launched $65,000 grant pool to assist small credit unions with Pandemic Relief.
• Highlighted CU Difference through special impact report and CU FORWARD kindness highlights initiative in response to the COVID-19 the pandemic

Connect

• Launched new member website and association management system.
• Debuted new standalone website for WINcentive to connect consumers to prize linked savings accounts at Minnesota credit unions.
• Provided credit unions the COVID Resource Center and Clearinghouse web pages and published regular Digest emails.
• Launched the Minnesota Credit Union Employee Benefits Plan and have grown it to 15 participating employer groups.
• Welcomed a newly participating credit union to the WINcentive – Minnesota program and completed a participating member survey.
• Piloted strategic alliance and VIP partner education webinar program.
• Added CULS, CU Rise, Deep Future Analytics as Strategic Alliances as Strategic Alliances to help credit unions  compete in today’s financial environment.
• Joined the ownership of NetGiver; a CUSO which enables fee-free charitable contributions exclusively for credit union members through a mobile giving platform.

​The strength of the Minnesota credit union movement is represented by the partnership between the Network and our member credit unions, along with our dedication to working cooperatively to advocate for more than 1.8 million credit union members across the state. We appreciate the privilege of serving you and working with you to meet industry challenges and opportunities. Please feel free to contact Network staff at any time with your questions or suggestions.