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Friday, February 11 2011

NAFCU Services Preferred Partners work with credit unions on the front lines every day. Here they provide free educational webcasts, webinars, podcasts and whitepapers to help credit unions grow and be more productive. Search the NAFCU Services Preferred Partner Library — where credit unions learn best practices from the industry’s most trusted providers.

Money Concepts Wealth Management Learning Series

Wednesday, May 01 2013

Money Concepts' webinar series helps credit unions understand the need for a wealth management program and implement best practices for new and existing programs. The presenters from Money Concepts are Michael Thompson, National Director of Sales, and Barry Dayley, Executive Vice President. This webinar series is offered at no charge to credit union staff.

Mortgage Cadence Learning Series

Tuesday, May 14 2013

Discover how your credit union measures against the most efficient credit union lenders in the industry. The webinar will examine three critical metrics for improving lending performance. The learning series is offered at no cost to credit union staff.

Five Fraud-Fighting Tips for Credit Unions (Blog Post)

Thursday, May 16 2013

It is not surprising that fraud in the workplace increases during an economic crisis or recession and small businesses (including large and small credit unions) may be vulnerable. In this blog post, learn ways to prevent fraud at your credit union.

Five Ways to Make a Credit Score Model Work for You (Blog Post)

Tuesday, May 14 2013

Choosing the right model for your credit union can help you in ways you might not expect, from saving time and expense to improving accuracy and applicant pools. Learn what to look for in credit scoring models in this blog post.

2Q 2013 NIFCU$ Perspectives and Commentary (Article)

Wednesday, April 24 2013

The first quarter of 2013 began with the clearing of muddy waters. After years of accommodative fiscal policy and ballooning deficits, clarity was finally achieved when a program to raise taxes and cut spending was put in place. The tax hike was intended to reduce excessive debt and improve the long-term prognosis for the US economy. The stock market took a particular liking to this plan, as evidenced by the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 reaching record-setting levels as the quarter came to a close.

National Financial Literacy Month is a Chance to Start Good Habits (Blog Post)

Tuesday, April 23 2013

It’s no coincidence that National Financial Literacy Month falls in April, the height of tax season. It seems like there are some teachable moments to be found while scrutinizing every financial decision of the past year. Read more of this NAFCU Services Blog post.

EMV Liability Shift: Why Financial Institutions Should Get Their ATMs in Line (Whitepaper)

Tuesday, April 16 2013

For years the United States payments industry has resisted moves to switch from payment and ATM cards that rely on the magnetic stripe (mag stripe) containing a card’s account information to “smart cards” embedded with more secure microprocessor chips, which other countries began using in the 1980s. In the U.S., a strong telecommunications system has enabled credit and debit card issuers to authorize virtually all transactions electronically.

Credit Unions Calculate Your Member Share (Blog Post)

Friday, April 05 2013

Year-end 2012 credit union data was released in the last few weeks. But for data nerds generally and these mortgage data nerds specifically, it’s a highly anticipated event. Although trends are trackable intra-year and performance predictions are easy to make, this is when we find out what really happened. Read more of this NAFCU Services Blog post.

Individually Focused IRA Marketing (Blog Post)

Friday, April 05 2013

The April 15 tax filing and IRA contribution deadline is only one month away. Much of the marketing focus this year is on the higher IRA contribution limits. For 2013, the IRA contribution limit is $5,500, up from the previous $5,000 limit. Read more of this NAFCU Services Blog post.

Examine Your Mobile Strategy for 2013 (Blog Post)

Wednesday, March 27 2013

There are, perhaps, many things you are hoping to offer your members: mobile banking that allows them to check their balance or transfer funds; remote deposit capture; ATM or branch locations or mapping; straightforward “contact us” options or maybe a more robust self service capability. Read more of this NAFCU Services Blog post.

Holistic Wealth Management Services: Enhance Member Value and Credit Union Revenue (Whitepaper)

Monday, March 25 2013

Structural changes in the banking industry initiated by consumer demand and convergence of financial services have forever changed the face of the credit union landscape. In the past two and a half decades, the depository intuitions share of total U.S. household financial assets fell 44 percent to 12.4 percent, while the share of mutual funds increased 16 times to 11.4 percent. This fact, coupled with the ever increasing commoditization of traditional banking products and banking services offered by non-bank competitors pose a real threat to a credit union that is not able to address wealth management needs.

Increasing Collections Efficiency as a Source of Income (Podcast)

Thursday, March 07 2013

Debt collection is a sensitive topic for credit unions. It’s not unusual for “good” members to have occasional past due accounts. In fact, those slow pays can generate additional income from interest and late payment fees. The challenge is in finding and maintaining a balance between good member service and minimizing risk.

Monetizing ATMs with Targeted Marketing (Blog Post)

Tuesday, March 12 2013

Many people have different definitions for ATM marketing, so let me first start by defining what ATM targeted marketing is not: it is not about running a video on the idle screen of an ATM, nor is it the passive advert screen you would see while waiting for your cash to be dispensed. Read more of this NAFCU Services Blog Post.

A Once in a Lifetime Opportunity (Blog Post)

Tuesday, February 26 2013

The housing market is in recovery; most economists and many of us involved in the industry agree. Low rates are, perhaps, the biggest contributing factor. And they are low. Lowest in history? Pretty close. Read more of this NAFCU Services Blog post.

Loan Regime Split Dollar (Article)

Monday, February 25 2013

“Split dollar” refers to a broad array of arrangements where an employer and a key employee split the dollars in a life insurance policy. Since the IRS issued new regulations in 2003, the array has consolidated into two general regimes, one of which is the loan regime. The policy owner determines which regime applies. Loan regime applies when the executive owns the policy or when the executive and the credit union jointly own the policy and the executive is the first named owner.

Analytics in Real-Time Online Marketing (Whitepaper)

Wednesday, February 20 2013

If you were shopping for this oven in the store, a savvy sales person would use these clues to help make the deal more attractive. What if you could do the same for your customers’ online shopping experience, automatically using these clues to help close the deal? You can. Learn how your credit union can employ these techniques in this whitepaper.

Current State of E-channel Fraud Trends: Online Banking, Mobile Banking, and Card Fraud (Whitepaper)

Tuesday, February 19 2013

Javelin was retained by SAS to understand the current state of e‐channel fraud among U.S. financial institutions (FIs). Javelin Strategy conducted in‐depth interviews with risk and fraud executives from small, mid‐size and large financial institutions to meet the research objectives. In this whitepaper, Javelin also presents relevant elements from its proprietary consumer data to bring in additional insights from the consumer perspective.

A Bridge Too Far? Risk Appetite, Governance and Corporate Strategy (Whitepaper)

Friday, February 15 2013

Consolidation of risk data on spreadsheets doesn’t provide the required ability for stress testing and scenario analysis. An integrated, firmwide risk management system – one that can provide immediate analysis and speedy results, one that can allow senior management and boards of directors to make decisions in near-real time – is going to be key to success in the volatile financial environment that we are clearly are going to have for the next several years.

113th Congress Faces Contentious Issues (Blog Post)

Wednesday, February 20 2013

With the photo-ops and swearing-in ceremonies over, and the presidential inauguration now a memory, the 113th Congress is hard at work facing a number of contentious, but familiar, issues, one of which is tax reform. Read more of this NAFCU Services Blog post.

6 Tips for Choosing Vendor Management Software (Article)

Tuesday, February 12 2013

Regulators and auditors are increasingly focusing more on how vendors and contracts are managed and maintained by institutions. This means that every institution is bearing the full brunt of the cost to meet regulatory requirements for Vendor Due Diligence. It is more critical than ever to make your vendor management implementations easier, faster, secure, and cost effective. What are some of the things to look for in choosing a comprehensive VM software solution?

Analyzing Appraisals: Focus on Sales Comparison (Recorded Webinar)

Friday, February 08 2013

“Analyzing Appraisals: Focus on Sales Comparison” is part of the Genworth Mortgage Insurance Learning Series (GMILS) presented by Mary Kay Scully, the Director of Customer Education for Genworth Mortgage Insurance. This credit-union specific webinar series covers key subjects designed to help you better serve your members and add value to your credit union. From underwriting and analyzing credit to appraisals and mortgage insurance, you’ll get a comprehensive introduction to the latest strategies and regulatory insights.

Genworth Mortgage Insurance Learning Series (Webinar Series)

Tuesday, January 22 2013

Our credit-union specific webinar series covers key subjects designed to help you better serve your members and add value to your credit union. From underwriting and analyzing credit to appraisals and mortgage insurance, you’ll get a comprehensive introduction to the latest strategies and regulatory insights. All webinars are offered at no cost to you.

5 Features Credit Unions Want from Data Visualization (Blog Post)

Thursday, February 07 2013

Data underpins the operations and strategic decisions of every business. Yet these days, data is generated faster than it can be consumed and digested, making it challenging for credit unions to extract maximum value from this vital asset. Read more of this NAFCU Services Blog post.

1Q 2013 NIFCU$ Perspectives and Commentary (Article)

Monday, January 28 2013

The fourth quarter of 2012 brought an abundance of angst and speculation surrounding how, and when, Congress might resolve its ongoing battle over fiscal policy. As investors worried about the impact of the tax and spending provisions the Budget Control Act of 2011 would have on an already fragile economy, Congress showed little inclination to reach a bi-partisan compromise. The result was a layer of uncertainty in the financial markets that persisted into the proverbial “eleventh hour.”

Mortgage Lending Performance Benchmarking (Whitepaper)

Tuesday, January 22 2013

Our Benchmarking Paper highlights the work Prime Alliance has done over the years with its customers and other lenders. Generally speaking the results and conclusions found here are based on the experience of a segment of the country’s top 500 mortgage lending credit unions. Our intent was to understand pull-through rates, lending productivity and what it costs to close a mortgage.

Mortgage Time (Insight into Economic Data)

Tuesday, January 22 2013

(January 22, 2013) Positive economic data was the primary influence on mortgage rates this week. Unexpected strength in Retail Sales, Housing Starts, and Jobless Claims combined to push mortgage rates a little higher. Stronger economic growth is great for the labor market and the stock market. Unfortunately, it also increases the risk that future inflation will move higher, so it is generally not good for mortgage rates.

4Q 2012 NIFCU$ Market Commentary (Article)

Friday, January 18 2013

The last minute deal in the wee hours of January 1st, 2013 to avert going over the “fiscal cliff” dealt with the issue of tax rates, raised Medicare payments to physicians, permanently indexed Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) rates for inflation, and extended for one year the benefits for long-term unemployed individuals. It also deferred the previously mandated across the board budget spending cuts for two months, and did nothing about the need to raise the U.S. debt ceiling which will again be reached sometime between late February and the end of March.

How to Avoid Wasting Time at Forecasting (Whitepaper)

Friday, January 18 2013

We spend far too many organizational resources creating our forecasts, while almost invariably failing to achieve the level of accuracy desired. The whole conversation needs to be turned around. We should be focusing much less attention on modeling and forecast accuracy and much more on process efficiency and effectiveness. We must also consider alternative ways to answer the business questions that, out of habit, we rely on forecasting alone to address.

Converting your Website into an Ecommerce Site (Podcast)

Thursday, January 17 2013

In this podcast, Jeff Chesky, CEO of Insuritas, provides insight into a special panel, Converting your Website into an Ecommerce Site, at the upcoming NAFCU Strategic Growth conference. Listen to the podcast for an advance discussion on how website optimization works and specific elements of ecommerce. Find out how one credit union applied analytics to improve sales results by 706% and how another got a 33% lift in results just by changing where an offer was displayed on the page.

Forget Your Crystal Ball—Learn the Real 2013 Marketing Trends (Blog Post)

Tuesday, January 22 2013

Each New Year, it appears that everyone finds a magic crystal ball to predict the future. In marketing, however, you really can predict the future—when you base your predictions off of trends and analytics. Read more in this NAFCU Services Blog post.

Heading toward Mobile Payments (Video)

Wednesday, January 16 2013

Mobile is the hot topic right now. The fact that we have a computer in our pocket has really changed our lives. Mobile creates an opportunity for many players—from current key mobile players like Apple and AT&T to banks and credit unions. Mobile is all about making the buying experience better for consumers, and new opportunities are arising in mobile payments.

Deposit Disclosure Program Case Study with Mendo Lake Credit Union

Friday, January 11 2013

After struggling with customer service issues from her existing vendor, Marci LaBrash, compliance officer at Mendo Lake Credit Union, was ready to make a change. When the Wolters Kluwer Financial Services’ account team contacted her, LaBrash quickly realized that the services they offered met all of her vendor requirements.

Data Visualization: Making Big Data Approachable and Valuable (Whitepaper)

Tuesday, January 08 2013

Enterprises today are beginning to realize the important role Big Data plays in achieving business goals. Concepts that used to be difficult for companies to comprehend—factors that influence a customer to make a purchase, behavior patterns that point to fraud or misuse, inefficiencies slowing down business processes—now can be understood and addressed by collecting and analyzing Big Data.

Credit Scoring 101 (Webcast)

Monday, January 07 2013

This covers a review of credit score models and changes to the marketplace of credit scoring, including the increased use of different models. Finally, it covers the VantageScore Solutions, LLC credit scoring model and why it is offers more consistent and more accurate predictive analytics to support lending decisions.

January 2013 Investment Insights: Fiscal Cliff Averted. Fight to Raise the U.S. Debt Ceiling and Implement Budget Cuts Comes Next (Article)

Monday, January 07 2013

While the fiscal cliff deal approved by both the Senate and the House of Congress in the wee hours of January 1, 2013 does avert most of the previously scheduled tax increases, it does not include any provision to raise the debt ceiling, and it defers the scheduled spending cuts for two months. Given the confrontational tone of the negotiations over the last two weeks of 2012, the upcoming negotiation over these key issues could lead to a shutdown of the Federal government by late February or early March.

A Special Holiday Message from Allied

Thursday, December 27 2012

We are truly blessed to have such a great team here at Allied Solutions. The 'We Are ALLied' brand and sense of community that is unique to Allied is a corporate culture that I am very proud to be a part of...we look out for each other and work together to support common goals. We are also deeply committed to giving back to our community.

Credit Union Industry Experts: What's in Store for 2013 (Blog Post)

Wednesday, December 19 2012

For our year-end blog post I asked our Preferred Partners to tell us what they see coming over the horizon, from their perspective, that credit union executives need to be focused on and/or prepared for as we head into 2013. Looking back a year, I see some common themes—revenue issues, economic uncertainty, regulatory uncertainty, and political uncertainty. Read more of this NAFCU Services Blog post.

2012 Year-End Commentary and Look Ahead (Article)

Friday, December 14 2012

2013 will bring continued concern about the daunting challenges posed by regulatory change for U.S. financial institutions. Of the nearly 400 rules required by the Dodd-Frank Act, only about one-third have been finalized, and another third have yet to be proposed. The new requirements are likely to trickle out for years to come.

End of Year Tax Reporting—Make sure your credit union is prepared! (Webinar)

Tuesday, December 04 2012

Whether you’re new to tax reporting, or need to freshen up your understanding of the regulations, this recorded webinar will help you make sure your credit union is prepared. This webinar will cover IRA, ESA, HSA tax forms and due dates. You will learn to identify due dates for tax forms to account owners and the IRS, and to determine which tax forms are needed for each account type.

Happy holidays and...tax reporting for IRAs, HSAs and ESAs? (Blog Post)

Thursday, December 13 2012

It’s that time of year again! And no, I’m not talking about the holidays and gift giving. In fact, the timing has more to do with a little bit of ‘bah humbug’ in the form of 2012 IRA, HSA, and Coverdell ESA Tax Reporting. Read more of this NAFCU Services Blog post.

eMarketers Exclusive—Top 10 Trends of 2013 (Webinar)

Tuesday, November 27 2012

Today’s consumer is on the go, they are in the know, and they are surely connected. Start off the new year with new strategies! Watch this recorded webinar where we review the top 10 trends of 2013 and what you can do to improve your credit union’s eMarketing strategy.

Burns-Fazzi, Brock Newsletter (Fall 2012)

Tuesday, December 04 2012

In this edition, you will find "Credit Unions and the Struggling European Markets", an article by Rich Brock, President/CEO of Burns-Fazzi, Brock, more about the NAFCU-BFB Compensation Survey, a schedule of upcoming events, The Pumpkin King, and a BFB Foundation Update. Read more about these topics in this newsletter.

Hansom Federal Credit Union Blasts Insurance Agency Performance Benchmarks Out Of The Water (Case Study)

Monday, December 03 2012

Hanscom’s members were getting insurance recommendations from Liberty Mutual through CUNA, and while Hanscom generated goodwill with this setup, they gained little from it financially--so they decided to start a CUSO with an insurance agency. Learn about the incredible success this credit union had using this technique.

2012 Debit Issuer Study Key Findings: Despite New Regulation, Debit Continues to Grow (Webinar)

Wednesday, November 14 2012

The 2012 Debit Issuer Study, commissioned by PULSE, a Discover Financial Services company, presents an impartial assessment of debit card issuer performance and perspectives across electronic payments. Watch this free webinar to review the findings from this study.

Executive Thinking of Payment Opportunities (Webinar)

Thursday, November 15 2012

As mobile payments rapidly become the norm, you need to stay on top of trends. Vantiv interviewed 35 top executives at financial institutions and tier1 merchants. Then, they compared responses with consumers' outlooks on mobile. Vantiv's research revealed significant gaps – as well as opportunities. These compelling results were compiled in a new webinar – giving you the mobile insight you need to lead your business to the next level.

It’s the End of the World as We Know It, and I Feel…Fine? (Blog Post)

Tuesday, November 27 2012

This blog delves into results from a Pentegra Retirement Services survey, which explores the attitudes, awareness, and actions being taken by adults in preparation for retirement. Read more of this NAFCU Services Blog post.

5 Team Behaviors to Establish Trust With Your Members (Blog Post)

Monday, November 19 2012

For any business, trust is key for retaining customers and attracting new ones. For credit unions, establishing trust is even more important because you are dealing with very sensitive issues—their money and their future. Read more of this NAFCU Services Blog post.

10 Things Credit Union Executives Need to Know about Pensions and 401(k)s (Webinar)

Tuesday, November 06 2012

National retirement policy is becoming a topic of conversation not just in Washington but in boardrooms all over the U.S. and is shaping how credit unions structure and govern their retirement programs. View this recorded webinar to learn how to cut costs and improve retirement program results for your credit union!

2012 Q4 Quarterly Investment Outlook: What Happens After No More Excuses (Article)

Tuesday, November 13 2012

Most agree that our nation is at a critical tipping point. Economic and employment growth has been disappointing relative to potential for several years, so it is not surprising that the economy is the most pressing concern for consumers and business. It is discouraging the U.S. recovery has only managed average growth, particularly given the massive monetary and fiscal stimulus that was believed would bolster housing, employment, and overall GDP growth. Fiscal imbalance is unsustainable, forcing policymakers to decide how best to rein in spending or increase taxes, or both.

Five Honda Engines in Every Household (Webcast)

Monday, November 05 2012

Honda is famous for its “five engines in every household” strategy, which, in very pure terms, is about cross selling products. In this webcast, we discuss how this strategy can be applied to credit unions. We will also discuss how how wealth management can help you achieve this goal.

Keeping Your Members Happy (Blog Post)

Thursday, November 01 2012

Often overlooked, even though they comprise a large part of your members’ interaction with your credit union, are ATMs. Learn how to improve the ATM experience in this NAFCU Services Blog post.

Credit Unions—More Poetic than You Think (Blog Post)

Wednesday, October 24 2012

Credit union members are aging along with the rest of the American population, and their needs have changed over time. What else do you have to offer them when they outgrow mortgages and share certificates, and now need to distribute their IRAs? They have new financial needs that many credit unions currently aren’t meeting, and both your members and your credit union are suffering for it. Read more of this NAFCU Services Blog post.

3Q 2012 NIFCU$ Quarterly Commentary (Article)

Monday, October 22 2012

Confirmation of further impending monetary stimulus followed the conclusion of the Federal Reserve’s policy setting meeting on September 13th, providing a temporary boost to both the fixed income and equity markets. Commodities – especially oil, which had responded positively to similar prior rounds of stimulus, are weakening on concerns regarding economic slowdowns in Europe and China.

Discover U.S. Spending Monitor Update: Q2 2012 Credit Union Member Insights (Podcast and Article)

Thursday, October 18 2012

The second quarter report indicates that spending intentions and economic confidence have increased steadily but are still affected by the high unemployment rate and the macroeconomic uncertainty in the market. With a steady increase of consumer confidence, credit union members have also been found to be more optimistic and have a better handle on their finances than non-credit union members. In this podcast with Kevin O’Donnell, Vice President of Credit Issuance for Discover, you will learn how your credit union can take advantage of these opportunities with your members. He will also discuss where the current market trends are headed for the rest of 2012 and beyond.

Insuritas Creates a Nice Revenue Stream for Central Star Credit Union (Case Study)

Wednesday, October 17 2012

“There was such a need in our membership,” Wehner (Central Star Credit Union) says. “We had people who really, they didn’t like to shop for insurance.” So Wehner talked with several different Credit Unions around the U.S., and many of them recommended Insuritas. “I started researching and really liked what I saw,” she says. “And from there the rest is history.”

How Credit Unions Can Grow Their Prepaid Card Services (Podcast)

Tuesday, October 16 2012

Prepaid cards are easy to use and implement for both credit unions and their members. With the growing popularity of prepaid cards, there are some key factors your credit union should learn in order to make the most out of your prepaid card program for your members. In this podcast, Jeffrey Lewis, Director of Alternative Payments and Prepaid at Discover will explain how prepaid card services are being used.

Be the one-in-a-million (or 663,000,000) to your members (Blog Post)

Tuesday, October 09 2012

At the 2012 NAFCU Annual Conference, Steve Richman of Genworth Financial explained five key points you need to know to succeed in the real estate and mortgage business. These points can be applied to any industry actually and should be the basis for your marketing efforts. Read more of this NAFCU Services Blog post.

Bringing the Personal Branch Banking Experience to the ATM (Whitepaper)

Tuesday, October 09 2012

The ATM remains the most recognized banking channel as it satisfies many consumers’ daily banking needs. Yet, while the new multi‑function, self‑service ATMs offer the convenience of completing more complex self‑service transactions, they fail to recreate the level of engagement found in-branch. However, innovative technologies are now emerging that deliver a combination of self‑service banking with time and location convenience and humanization of the experience.

2012 NAFCU BFB Survey of Federal Credit Union Executive Benefits & Compensation (Podcast and Presentation)

Wednesday, October 03 2012

In order for credit unions to make informed decisions about executive compensation, a reliable survey is important. The NAFCU -BFB Survey was created to help credit unions understand the compensation and benefits of top federal credit union executives. In this recording, Jack Clark, from Clark & Chase Research, discusses what surveys are, some key factors you should consider when using a salary survey, and the relationship between credit union asset size and compensation. He also highlights the findings of the 2012 NAFCU-BFB Survey and how they found them.

Accelerate Your Credit Union’s Auto Loans (Blog Post)

Wednesday, September 26 2012

With over 12 million Americans still out of work, it should come as no surprise that consumers are hanging on to their cars for three to four years longer than they did in pre-recessionary times. Yet America’s long-standing love affair with cars continues — and that presents plenty of opportunities for credit unions. Read more of this NAFCU Services Blog post.

Acting on Customer Intelligence from Social Media (Whitepaper)

Tuesday, September 25 2012

Although relatively new on the scene, social media has become a powerful force – growing fast in scope, audience and influence. There are the classic social networking sites, such as Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and Bebo. There are product/service review sites, such as Yahoo! Travel, HotelShark.com, CNET.com and others. There are media sharing sites, such as YouTube, Flickr and Picasa. And sites that publish consumer-generated content, such as HotelChatter, Review Centre, Los Angeles Times online (latimes.com), The New York Times online (nytimes.com) and many others. Learn how to improve your social media strategy in this whitepaper.

Drive Marketing Relevance in Today's Digital World (Whitepaper)

Tuesday, September 25 2012

“Marketing is about more than just campaign management, data warehousing and social media. It’s really more about connecting everything to do with revenue,” said Hornby, SAS Worldwide Marketing Director, kicking off a wide-ranging conversation on marketing leadership, social media and innovation.

It’s time for a change! Learn new strategies in merchant funded rewards. (Webinar)

Thursday, September 13 2012

Interested in a merchant-funded rewards program for your members? Confused by the many technologies and providers in the market? Learn about new strategies and best practices in merchant funded rewards and how to increase account acquisition, spend and loyalty through a turnkey, low-cost solution with this recorded webinar.

Do you know where your credit union stands on executive compensation and benefits? (Blog Post)

Wednesday, September 19 2012

Every credit union is unique, and every CEO places a different emphasis on how they want their executive compensation and benefits package tailored, which makes an assessment of ‘market rates’ for executive benefits and compensation challenging. Read more of this NAFCU Services Blog post.

Consummation and Timing of Closed-End Disclosures (Whitepaper)

Monday, September 17 2012

One of the legal implications to consider when developing a blended, single-signature multi-featured lending plan is whether the closed-end Fed Box disclosures can be given timely under Reg Z and applicable state contract law. The answer is yes, they can. By providing the disclosures at the time of advance, prior to or with the disbursement of funds, credit unions satisfy the timing requirements under Reg Z and state law. This paper will explain in greater detail the legal definition of “consummation”, the state law interpreting it, and how it applies to blended multi-featured plans.

Accelerate Your Credit Union Auto Loans (Article)

Tuesday, September 11 2012

Mr. Conte guest-writes the "Inside NAFCU Services" column, reserved for the organization's Preferred Partner experts. This column provides evidence that demand for auto purchases is rebounding in America. This column also provides actionable items for credit unions to maximize this area of expanding opportunity.

Minding the Gap: How to Protect Your Members in a Service Economy (Webcast)

Monday, September 10 2012

The best way to help members is to educate them on programs that they can benefit from. In this webcast, you will learn how members are saving for unexpected events. Joining us in this webcast on this all too important topic is Wayne Conte with Affinion Group. Wayne will go into more detail why your members need AD&D Insurance while reviewing case studies from other financial institutions.

Big Data for the Next Big Idea in Financial Services (Whitepaper)

Wednesday, August 29 2012

Everyone's talking about big data – getting our arms around it and putting it to work for us. This paper summarizes a panel discussion at the 2012 SAS Financial Services Executive Summit where industry leaders shared their ideas about big data and what their organizations are doing with it.

Insurance – The Best Defense is a Great Offense (Blog Post)

Tuesday, August 28 2012

With companies like H&R Block and State Farm entering the insurance arena, it is important for credit unions to offer their own insurance options to members. Read more of this NAFCU Services Blog post.

Data Driven Insight: The Power of Business Analytics (Podcast and Presentation)

Monday, August 27 2012

Even with the economic success of the financial industry, there will be challenges credit unions will face. With the use of business analytics and intelligence, your credit union will have a framework for tackling these challenges that will help with developing insights on business performance using statistical methods. In this presentation, you will learn how to use business analytics and how the insight it provides will benefit your credit union today and in the future.

Getting Serious About Fee Income (Podcast and Presentation)

Monday, August 27 2012

Customer service can happen both in-store and online. So how can credit unions make the most out of their e-commerce opportunities? In this presentation, we explore ways credit unions can make the most out of this opportunity and how these efforts can drive measurable results for the consumer and the credit union.

Marketing to Reach Your Members (Podcast and Presentation)

Monday, August 27 2012

A recent survey suggests that mortgage professionals have a low rank in terms of credibility in the market place. When marketing to consumers, credit unions need to focus on the messages they deliver to establish a higher level of trust. In this presentation, we will examine methods on how credit unions can set themselves apart and successfully market mortgage insurance to consumers.

Christopher Columbus had his flag, credit unions have video ATMs (Blog Post)

Thursday, August 23 2012

Back in Columbus’ day, geographic expansion for Old World nations was a relatively straightforward process. Over the centuries, both countries and credit unions have found growth to be much more complicated. Read more of this NAFCU Services blog post.

Fellow marketing nerds! Do you QR? (Blog Post)

Thursday, August 23 2012

I’m going to begin by asking you not to hate me because I too, have something new (or maybe not so new to some) for you to explore! It’s called a QR code. Hold on, don’t run away! Read more of this NAFCU Services blog post.

Making Sense of the U.S. Economy and Housing Market (Webinar)

Thursday, July 19 2012

Watch this recorded webinar to hear Genworth's economist, Nathan Struemph, discuss informative economic updates and forecasts. You will get a 360 degree view on economic trends, including a deeper dive into the U.S. housing market and walk away with the critical information you need to introduce stronger more definitive strategies at your credit union.

2012 Q3--Quarterly Investment Outlook: Rationalizing Uncomfortable Choices (Article)

Friday, August 10 2012

Economies worldwide have rebounded since the 2008 Financial Crisis, along with rising global equity and tightening credit markets. Even the rebound in earnings growth and profit margins has been remarkable. Yet, the U.S. economic growth hasn’t broken out as hoped, after significant global fiscal and monetary stimulus, including slashing interest rates. Unemployment remains high and volatility has been unnerving for investors. The key question is: What is holding us back and will it continue?

How Credit Unions Should Evaluate their Insurance Providers (Blog Post)

Friday, August 10 2012

In order to offer members all the great solutions that your credit union does, it’s likely that you’ve found it beneficial to rely on third-party providers. Oftentimes, agreements with these vendors automatically roll over when they are up for renewal as a matter of course. Read more of this NAFCU Services Blog post.

2012 Q2 NIFCU$ Market Commentary (Article)

Friday, July 20 2012

Economic unease and political maneuvering dominated the past quarter. In the United States, the focus was on electioneering, the impending ruling of the Supreme Court on the Obama Presidency’s health care law, and the approaching January 2013 “fiscal cliff.” As the press discussed the looming tax increases and potential spending cuts, businesses and consumers became increasingly nervous and economic activity slowed. Read the full market commentary from NIFCU$ Fund Manager, Hillary Elder.

Is Your Credit Union’s Lending Universe Expanding? (Blog Post)

Tuesday, July 31 2012

Here’s an amazing fact: Did you know that between 35 and 50 million adults in the United States may be underbanked? Suffice to say that a large number of these individuals also don’t have a credit score. That’s equivalent to 18 to 25 percent of the adult population!Read more of this NAFCU Services Blog post.

How credit union members spend (and save!) their money (Blog Post)

Tuesday, July 31 2012

If a genie popped out of your morning cup of coffee and said that he was going to grant the ability to read your credit union members minds, would you accept? Ok, so it could be risky, or slightly awkward. Read more of this NAFCU Services Blog post.

Executing Effective Validations in 2012 and Beyond (Webinar)

Wednesday, July 11 2012

Learn about recent guidance from the OCC regarding model validations and how to perform validations on your own portfolio by watching this webinar. In this webinar, you will get a guideline summary, and learn about validation framework, conceptual soundness, ongoing monitoring, and outcome analysis. This webinar is designed as a way to think about validating credit scoring models.

Member Resources for Credit Score Education

Wednesday, July 11 2012

Take advantage of these member resources for credit score education from VantageScore. Learn activities you can take to improve your credit score, and take the credit score quiz where you can test your credit scoring knowledge.

How Does Compensation Compare for Women Credit Union Executives? (Blog Post)

Tuesday, July 31 2012

For many industries, gender equity has been a topic of discussion. Have you ever wondered how men and women compare as credit union executives and the compensation they receive? We did too. Read more of this NAFCU Services Blog post.

Discover U.S. Spending Monitor Update: Q1 2012 Credit Union Member Insights (Podcast)

Thursday, July 05 2012

In this podcast, Kevin O’Donnell, Vice President of Credit Issuance for Discover Network, discusses trends for credit union member spending and economic confidence as well as how credit unions can use this information to better serve their members. We also take a look at where these members are headed for Q2 and beyond.

Best Practices for Opening New Accounts Online (Podcast)

Tuesday, July 03 2012

Digital Banking is paving the way for the future, and credit unions need to be more prepared to use this technology efficiently. In this podcast, we discuss the challenges and implementation of online banking for credit unions.

Liabilities When Opening New Accounts Online (Podcast)

Tuesday, July 03 2012

Digital Banking is paving the way for the future, and credit unions need to be more prepared to use this technology efficiently. In this podcast, we give a thorough analysis on how credit unions can implement different procedures and develop tools to counterbalance these risks.

Executive Compensation Checklist for New and Experienced Board Members (Podcast and Presentation)

Thursday, June 28 2012

Looking for an Executive Compensation Checklist for your credit union? This presentation serves as a valuable tool for new and experienced board members in pinning down the latest information on new regulations and compensation philosophies associated with creating a successful executive compensation plan.

How to Guide: Establishing and Funding IRAs (Webinar)

Thursday, June 14 2012

There are many topics surrounding IRA's, from establishing the account to the year-end tax benefits. You and your members have questions, and we have the answers! During this free recorded webinar, we will educate you on the basics for both Traditional and Roth IRAs, including how to establish and fund IRAs for members, tax advantages, contribution eligibility, and more.

Best Practices for Credit Union Merchant Services (Webinar)

Thursday, June 07 2012

Did you know that less than 10% of current business members use their credit unions merchant services program? Learn from an industry leader how to further engage your business members to build stronger, more valuable relationships. Watch our free recorded webinar to learn more!

How to Measure Your Credit Union Human Resources (Webinar)

Wednesday, May 30 2012

In order to ensure that you are effectively managing and deploying your staff, you need to identify meaningful measures and a clear framework for evaluating success. In this recorded webinar, learn how to successfully evaluate your credit union staff. You will also learn to understand formulas and benchmarks to help evaluate your people management, and gain knowledge of other credit unions' metrics and best practices in the industry.

June 2012 Investment Highlights: The World Turned Upside Down (Article)

Thursday, June 07 2012

Geopolitical and socioeconomic challenges remain at the forefront of daily headlines. These issues have taken a heavy toll on investor sentiment the past several years. While markets are usually driven by a mix of expectations and current conditions, we’ve never encountered such an influence of investor sentiment upon economic expectations. In today’s complex world, distinguishing coincidence from causality is becoming more challenging.

Helping Our Credit Union Military Members (Blog Post)

Monday, June 11 2012

The long Memorial Day weekend is more than just a break from work, it gives us a chance to reflect on the sacrifices that the men and women of our military make on our behalf. I’m speaking not just of the sacrifice of those who have given their lives or were wounded in action, but also of others who put their lives on hold for military service, and to their families as well. Read more of this NAFCU Services Blog post.

401(k) fee 101: How to Evaluate Plans and Identify Value (Webinar)

Tuesday, May 08 2012

The new Department of Labor fee disclosure rules for retirement plans go into effect July 2012. Did you know you have legal obligation to review your current plan fees? Watch this recorded webinar to learn how and where to start, the different types of service arrangements for retirement plans and the explanations of plan fees and expenses.

Carpe Diem: Living in a Post-Durbin World (Podcast and Presentation)

Friday, May 18 2012

In the last year, the world has changed for credit unions. New legislation has been enacted and consumer activism has progressed. What does the next generation of business look like as a result? In this presentation from NAFCU's 2012 CEOs and Senior Executives Conference, you will learn the answer to that question. You will also learn how to use your credit union’s brand assets to create growth, and what opportunities exist in the payment market space.

Discover Horizon (Newsletter)- Spring 2012

Monday, May 07 2012

Discover is pleased to provide you with the Spring edition of the Horizon newsletter to keep you up-to-date on the latest news and information regarding the credit issuance landscape, as well as Discover. This issue includes information on card growth in the credit union industry, generational marketing tips, and more.

Benefit Liability Managment (Webcast)

Thursday, May 03 2012

With Benefit Liability Management's potential to offset the expense of your employee benefit obligations, it's important to have your questions answered about it. In this webcast, we discuss benefit liability management, including what that means and the types of investments that are available for your credit union.

2012 Q2 Quarterly Investment Outlook: Little Things Add Up (Article)

Friday, April 27 2012

While geopolitical and other challenging headlines have continued to capture our attention, many of the significant economic threats enumerated in 2011, have since moderated or been extinguished. Meanwhile, just under the surface, HighMark’s five drivers of potentially exceptional growth are contributing more to economic activity than lackluster U.S. GDP growth suggests, illustrating that many Little Things Add Up over time.

2012 Q1 NIFCU$ Market Commentary (Article)

Wednesday, April 25 2012

During the quarter, market participants began to give more weight to strengthening economic news, discounting the Fed’s stated commitment to hold short-term interest rates low into 2014.

Bringing the Branch Experience to the ATM (Webinar)

Monday, April 16 2012

Watch the BAI Banking Strategies webinar presented by NCR on NCR’s Interactive Teller Solution! Learn how you can meet and exceed customer expectations while lowering costs, optimizing staff deployment, and growing revenue.

Carpe Diem – Living in a Post-Durbin World (Blog Post)

Monday, April 23 2012

The NAFCU CEOs and Senior Executives Conference this week has featured some outstanding presentations, including noted management guru John Spence (author of “Awesomely Simple”) and financial services expert Brett King (author of Bank 2.0). But for me one of the more meaningful presentations came from Royal Cole, Vantiv’s Financial Institution President. Read more of this NAFCU Services Blog post.

Expected impact of 457(f) regulations on credit union plans (Blog Post)

Friday, April 13 2012

After years of waiting, we are hearing rumblings that the proposed 457(f) regulations may be issued in 2012. The IRS “anticipates” changing the current 457(f) rules to recognize only cliff vesting and disallow elective deferrals. Read more of this NAFCU Services Blog Post.

20% of members may be eligible for home refinance under HARP 2.0! (Webinar)

Thursday, March 29 2012

The new Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) offers a huge opportunity for credit unions to help roughly 20% of members. Watch and listen to this educational session on HARP 2.0 hosted by expert presenter, Nizar Hashlamon to hear more about a program that could change your members' lives, help boost the economy, and increase mortgage business at your credit union.

Data Breach Preparedness and Response – A Handy “How-To” (Blog Post)

Friday, April 13 2012

With the recent headlines about yet another data breach affecting credit unions and their members, I wanted to point you to a resource that might help you respond effectively. Because this isn’t the first data breach and it certainly won’t be the last. Read more of this NAFCU Services Blog post.

How Credit Unions Can Leverage the Mortgage Market Place (Podcast and Presentation)

Monday, April 02 2012

This presentation from NAFCU’s 2012 Strategic Growth Conference takes a look at the current consumer, creating a growth business plan, free resources for tracking lending trends, conducting an internal mortgage product analysis and how you can use social media to generate mortgage borrowers.

First Acts: What is Next for your Credit Union (Podcast)

Friday, March 30 2012

This session delves into how to jump start your momentum in growth by defining concrete steps, an innovative model, and defined tactics.

Capitalizing on Market Changes to Grow Your Card Programs (Podcast and Presentation)

Tuesday, March 27 2012

In this 2012 Strategic Growth Conference session, we get to learn how to combine the messages in the market with your credit union brand to capitalize on this unique time, including promoting card features and functionality necessary to differentiate your credit union. We will also look at an analysis of key performance indicators and industry benchmarking data to see how your credit union stacks up!

Emerging Payments: Understanding and Leveraging the Opportunities (Podcast and Presentation)

Tuesday, March 27 2012

As we all know, the payments landscape is changing. EMV is here. Mobile payments are growing and mobile sales in the U.S. are expected to increase at a 68% compounded annualized growth rate over the next five years. This session will provide you with an understanding of the impact and value these initiatives can bring to your credit union. Learn how to leverage the opportunities with key data and actionable take-aways for implementing a successful emerging payment strategy.

Getting More Business from Your Members with Electronic Strategies (Podcast and Presentation)

Tuesday, March 27 2012

In this 2012 Strategic Growth Conference session, learn how effectively communicating with your members and potential members has recently become more complicated. Explore how you can successfully integrate electronic response communications with conventional communication vehicles to stimulate your credit union’s growth.

Cessna Employees Credit Union Soars with New Credit Card Program (Case Study)

Friday, March 23 2012

CECU sought a card-processing provider that could help develop and promote their new product. One that could build a comfort level with members, build on the credit union’s brand loyalty, and create an attractive, revenue-producing solution.Vantiv was their choice.

Community Resource Credit Union Revamps Credit Card Portfolio (Case Study)

Friday, March 23 2012

Three consecutive years…five percent annual losses. This was not what Community Resource Credit Union expected from its credit card portfolio. But the $275 million credit union knew its credit cards were beneficial to its members. It had to find a way to make the portfolio a viable, long-term solution that benefited both the credit union and members. In this case study, learn how this problem was solved.

HARP 2.0 Briefing Paper (Whitepaper)

Tuesday, March 20 2012

HARP 2.0 was announced by the Administration and the Federal Housing Finance Administration (FHFA), the GSE regulator, in October 2011. While not a new program, HARP 2.0 turbo-charges the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP), announced in March 2009. The expansion helps underwater homeowners who owe significantly more on their mortgage than their homes are worth. This Paper focuses on how to originate a HARP loan for borrowers with LTVs greater than 80 percent, how changes in solicitation rules can help you expand the market you serve, and how you can immediately implement HARP in your organization.

Does Your 401(k) Have ‘Fee Vampires’? (Blog Post)

Monday, April 16 2012

We’re big into energy conservation in my household, and it wasn’t until we began looking more seriously into why we were using so much electricity that we discovered the dark side of all those ‘instant on’ appliances and electronics. Plugged in all the time, they act like little energy vampires, sucking what is individually a small amount of electricity out of the grid for our convenience. Read more of this NAFCU Services Blog post.

Burns-Fazzi, Brock Executive Benefit Focus (Newsletter) - Winter 2011

Friday, March 16 2012

Burns-Fazzi, Brock specializes in providing benefit plans for credit union executives and directors. Utilize their expertise by reading this newsletter! This issue contains: understanding salary surveys, schedule of upcoming events, introducing the BFB Foundation, and BFB earns SSAE 16 SOC 1 Type II Certification.

Data Breach Preparation and Response (Podcast and Presentation)

Thursday, March 15 2012

Has your credit union considered how member relations, legal compliance and brand reputation might be affected during a data breach? In this 2012 NAFCU Technology & Security Conference session recording you will learn about the risks of data breaches and how they could impact your credit union.

Midnight in credit union mortgage lending (Blog Post)

Friday, April 13 2012

When was the best time in credit union mortgage lending? If you’ve seen Woody Allen’s latest movie, Midnight in Paris, then you may already know the answer to this question. The best time, of course, is right now. Read more of this NAFCU Services blog post.

Midnight in CU mortgage lending (Article)

Tuesday, March 13 2012

5 Keys to a Successful Financial Planning Program (Webcast)

Monday, March 12 2012

Financial planning is an essential offering for every credit union in order to build lasting and productive member relationships. In this webcast, you will hear from two experts with a combined over five decades of experience in the financial planning field, about five key success factors for your financial planning program.

Honda Federal Credit Union Partners with Wolters Kluwer Financial Services to Transform its Master Disclosure (Case Study)

Monday, March 05 2012

Honda FCU’s wanted to transform their Master Disclosure into a user-friendly document that benefits both staff and credit union members. They also envisioned using the Master Disclosure as a training tool for new employees. In this case study from Wolters Kluwer Financial Services we learn how Honda FCU achieved its goals.

Longstanding Partnership Leads Financial Resources Federal Credit Union to Select ComplianceOne®

Monday, March 05 2012

When Marc Sovelove joined Financial Resources Federal Credit Union (Financial Resources FCU) in 2010, his first task was to upgrade their manual, paper-based processes to an automated commercial loan origination system. In this case study, read about how Wolters Kluwer helped remedy this situation with their product, ComplianceOne.

Internal Control Certification – It’s Not Just an Accounting Thing (Podcast and Presentation)

Sunday, March 04 2012

In this recorded 2012 NAFCU Technology & Security Conference session, you will learn about the internal control certification process and how it impacts more than just the accounting department, including the importance of becoming internal control certified, insight on the impact of recent regulation change from SAS70 to SSAE 16, a walkthrough of the process and audit reports (Type I & Type II) and much more!

Leveraging the Current Mortgage Marketplace with Charitable Marketing (Podcast)

Tuesday, February 28 2012

In a challenging marketplace, it is important to find unique ways to make your credit union stand out to consumers. One way a credit union can increase their market share is by building a personal connection using charitable marketing. Listen to this podcast to learn more about how credit unions can leverage the current mortgage marketplace and grow market share with charitable marketing.

HARP 2.0: The New Home Affordability Refinance Program Explained (Podcast)

Thursday, February 23 2012

In this podcast, Dan Green, Executive Vice President of Credit Union Solutions at Prime Alliance, provides a detailed explanation of HARP 2.0, including how to effectively use the program to gain market share and benefit your credit union.

Harps are not just for angels, they are for credit unions too (Blog Post)

Monday, April 16 2012

The latest incarnation of government efforts to help distressed and underwater homeowners is known as HARP 2.0 – the Home Affordable Refinance Program. The original program was not as successful as intended for a variety of reasons. Read more of this NAFCU Services Blog post.

All Eyes on Europe in 2012 (Blog Post)

Monday, April 16 2012

In 2012, Europe may become one of the best geo-political barometers to determine future economic growth in the United States. Europe’s woes may negatively impact the credit union’s business model as Europe’s sovereign debt escalates. Read more of this NAFCU Services Blog post.

Debt Protection and Credit Insurance for Credit Unions Benchmarking Survey Results

Thursday, January 26 2012

Whether debt protection or credit insurance, choosing the right program for your credit union can be challenging. A recent Securian Financial Group and NAFCU Services Corporation survey was conducted to identify the reasons why credit unions made the switch to debt protection or added it to their product portfolio. Download the key findings to serve as a blueprint to consider as you compare debt protection and credit insurance options for your credit union.

Let’s all speak the same loan data language (Blog Post)

Monday, April 16 2012

How many times have you purchased a lending solution, and then realized that it was going to be more expensive to integrate with your core system and other components than it cost in the first place? Have you ever wished that your core system and document management, indirect lending, credit rating, title search, credit card, collateral evaluation, home equity loan, compliance and insurance tracking systems – just to name a few – all played nice in the same sandbox? Read more of this NAFCU Services Blog post.

2012 Q1 Quarterly Investment Outlook: Are the Nightmares Behind Us? (Article)

Tuesday, January 24 2012

Investors have had to contend with many upsetting concerns over the last year, including geopolitical uncertainty, social unrest, natural disasters, monetary tightening, new regulations, and a U.S. government downgrade. The European Sovereign Debt Crisis was underway for over a year when the worrying Nightmares began compounding in March 2011. These Nightmares have undercut confidence and global growth expectations, which impeded equity returns and drove Treasury yields lower. Uncertainty fueled much higher volatility across equity, bond, currency, and commodity markets.

Discover Horizon (Newsletter) - Winter 2012

Tuesday, January 24 2012

Happy New Year and welcome to Horizon. The past year brought some good news for Discover® credit card issuers, ending with positive growth in overall credit card spending, according to estimates by Mercator Advisory Group. Be sure to read more of their predictions for the 2012 credit market in this issue.

Insights on How to Run a Credit Union: Blending new technologies with traditional techniques (Whitepaper)

Saturday, January 21 2012

Hear from five thought leaders as they discuss the opportunities and obstacles facing the financial services industry today as it moves firmly into the digital age.

2011 Q4 Market Commentary (Article)

Tuesday, January 17 2012

Although third quarter 2011 growth came in at just +1.5%, the flow of economic news in fourth quarter was surprisingly positive, with equity markets holding their own, and consumer confidence and spending rebounding sharply. Read more from NIFCU$ Fund Manager Hillary Elder in the 2011 Q4 Market Commentary.

Avoiding Perfect Storms: Creating a holistic GRC view for early warning (whitepaper)

Tuesday, January 17 2012

This whitepaper from SAS offers a case study that illustrates the importance of integrating the elements of GRC using a detailed example involving key indicators covering performance, risk and controls. The case study will focus governance-related business pains, their causes and how an enterprise GRC solution addresses them.

10 Deadly Social Media Sins (Blog Post)

Monday, April 16 2012

Social media has changed many rules of marketing, which can be especially disconcerting for those of us raised in the ‘traditional’ media world. Some of the things we have always either accepted as fundamental precepts or taken for granted are no longer true, or maybe more precisely no longer as effective as they used to be. Read more of this NAFCU Services Blog post.

A Case Study of Fairwinds Credit Union’s Groundbreaking Online Insurance Agency (Webinar)

Thursday, December 01 2011

Hear straight from the source how Fairwinds Credit Union has launched a successful insurance agency, having over 160 daily shoppers a more than 30% increase in quote-to-close rates! Watch this recorded webinar to hear from an expert in outsourced insurance brokerage solutions for credit unions, Jeffrey Chesky, President & CEO for Insuritas and the first-hand experience of building this record-breaking insurance agency from Phil Tisher, COO of Fairwinds Credit Union.

Case Studies in Holistic Wealth Management (Webcast)

Thursday, December 15 2011

In this webcast we take a look at wealth management from a holistic approach, covering what your objectives as a credit union offering wealth management and financial planning should be, as well as some specific case studies illustrating successful holistic wealth management for a range of income levels and life stages.

An NCR Intelligent Deposit Case Study: Veridian Credit Union (Case Study)

Thursday, December 08 2011

Veridian Credit Union wanted to offer its members superior financial service and expand its geographic coverage into new locations like local shopping malls. One of the keys to this approach was making sure its ATM channel could do everything Veridian's members needed, including automated deposit functionality. Find out how Veridian solved this and other related challenges to deliver the best solution for the credit union and its members in this recent case study from NCR.

Market Impact from the Super Committee Failure (Article)

Monday, November 28 2011

A deal to reduce the federal budget deficit through any combination of cutting government spending and/or raising revenue could not be reached in the “super committee” by the November 23rd 2011 deadline. Initial market reaction to the impasse was negative, but transitory and the longer term concern centers on the reaction of rating agencies and the potential for further downgrade of United States debt by one or more agencies. Read what investment expert Hillary Elder has to say about the impact of the committee's failure and the threat of rating downgrades.

Card Products Help Extend Deposit (Member) Relationships (Podcast)

Thursday, November 17 2011

New members have flocked to credit unions, and now you have to give them what they want! In this podcast, we speak with Stephanie Polen, Vice President of Client Portfolio Management for Vantiv, specifically about the importance of credit union card products when it comes to extending deposit relationships and fostering long-term, satisfied members.

Credit Union Member Research Findings (Podcast)

Thursday, November 10 2011

Credit unions are known for being close to their members, but even the most plugged in credit union leaders may be surprised at the findings of a recent consumer data report from Genworth Financial. The report provides a profile of the “typical” credit union member. Genworth Financial recently commissioned Acxiom, a well-known data processing company and leader in the industry of data collection and analysis, to compare consumers who are members of a credit union versus consumers who are not members of a credit union.

How to Help New Members Make the Easy Switch to Your Credit Union (Podcast)

Thursday, November 10 2011

As consumers continue to balk at new bank fees, “Bank Transfer Day” gains popularity and we see an influx of news and press attention supporting the move to credit unions, there is an obvious opportunity for growing credit union membership. In this podcast, we discuss the most effective ways new members can switch their banking to a credit union.

5 Leading Strategies for Creating Member Communications That Produce Results (Webinar)

Friday, October 28 2011

Are you making the most out of your member communications? Watch this recorded webinar to learn five strategies for taking your member and prospect communications to the next level. You will see real credit union examples of these innovative enhancements that will increase opportunities for new business and members, and add value to your communications to boost ROI.

Credit Card Portfolio Growth Strategies for 2012 (Article)

Thursday, November 03 2011

As 2011 draws to a close, it has been another challenging year for credit unions and their members. Credit unions are focused on two goals: (1) continually seeking new ways to serve their members’ changing financial needs; and (2) growing membership specifically with Generation X and Y. One product that is often overlooked during this exercise is the credit card program.

Does your credit union do prospective employee testing? (Blog Post)

Tuesday, December 27 2011

There are many benefits to testing new hire candidates and current employees (applying for new roles) on things like cognitive ability, integrity, job knowledge, and personality. In fact, it has been determined that cognitive ability tests are three times more predictive of a candidate’s ability than experience in the job and four times more predictive than education. Read more of this NAFCU Services Blog post.

Economic Update for Credit Unions (Webinar)

Wednesday, September 21 2011

Understanding the forces behind our volatile economy is essential in our industry. Watch this October 2011 recorded webinar for an update on the economy and market, and how they will impact your credit union, now and in the future.

How Discover® Helps Credit Unions Serve Their Members Better! (Webinar)

Friday, August 26 2011

Are your debit and credit card products competitive in today’s market? Watch this recorded webinar as we uncover the reasons why more and more credit unions are choosing Discover as their credit and debit card solutions provider. You will learn about new growth opportunities for your card portfolio, what’s competitive in today’s market and how your credit union measures up.

Board Due Diligence and Executive Compensation (Webcast)

Monday, September 12 2011

NCUA's new fiduciary rule sets the expectation that federal credit union directors become financially literate within six months of their election or appointment. In this webcast we will take a closer look at this rule, what it means and best practices for your credit union board to meet their requirements.

Discover's Horizon (Newsletter) - Issue #5 - Summer 2011

Wednesday, September 07 2011

There have been many exciting developments in the legislative and regulatory arenas so we’re including a lengthy “Washington Viewpoint” with as much up-to-date information for the financial services industry as possible. Also included is an overview of the Discover U.S. Spending Monitor on the current spending habits and trends in the economy as a whole, as well as some credit union–specific customer spending details.

2011 Debit Issuer Study from PULSE (Webcast)

Thursday, August 11 2011

In order to stay competitive in today’s market, it’s critical to benchmark your credit union’s programs against other best-in-class financial institutions. In this webcast, we review trends and best practices for your debit programs as revealed in the Annual PULSE 2011 Debit Issuer Study.

Investment Insights: Standard & Poor's Downgrades U.S. Government: So What Now? (Article)

Thursday, August 11 2011

Standard & Poor’s (S&P) has downgraded their U.S. Government long-term AAA debt rating to AA+ for the first time since granting it in 1917. While forewarned, it still seems to have taken investors by surprise. The consequences of S&P's U.S. Government downgrade will likely have a greater emotional impact on investor sentiment, exacerbated by the European chaos, than any longer term impact on the economy or fixed income liquidity. Read more from David Goerz, SVP - Chief Investment Officer for HighMark Capital Management, Inc. in this downloadable article.

2011 Q3 Quarterly Investment Outlook: Our Demise is Greatly Exaggerated (Article)

Monday, August 01 2011

Are America’s best days in the past? We live in an age of tremendous innovation and opportunity that shows no signs of slowing, which has fundamentally lifted our living standards over the last century. However, there remains a nagging sense of anxiety about the future that has cast a long dark shadow over the U.S. economy. We think that with devotion to our nation’s free market principles, companies will be motivated to make innovation routine, and that Our Demise Is Greatly Exaggerated. Read more from David Goerz, SVP - Chief Investment Officer for HighMark Capital Management, Inc. in this downloadable article.

Enhancing Debit Card Security: The Life of a Counterfeit Card (Webcast)

Friday, July 29 2011

In this 2011 NAFCU Annual Conference presentation you will discover the latest and greatest card fraud mitigation strategies and tactics. Learn about the rise in data breaches, the evolution of criminal organizations, and the perceptions of today’s cardholders.

NAFCU Executive Compensation and Benefits Survey – Initial 2011 Findings (Webcast)

Thursday, July 28 2011

Since 2007, NAFCU, NAFCU Services Corporation and Burns-Fazzi, Brock have co-sponsored a survey of federal credit union CEOs and senior executives to assess compensation and benefits. In this 2011 NAFCU Annual Conference session you get a sneak peak at this year’s initial findings, and see how you stack up against other federal credit unions in your region.

Growth through Innovation in Member Communications (Podcast and Presentation)

Wednesday, July 27 2011

In this 2011 NAFCU Annual Conference Solutions Theater session we discuss the use of innovation and technology to generate new business through credit union communications. Hear Stephen Miller, Director of Financial Services Communications, Cathedral Corporation present at NAFCU's 2011 Annual Conference and follow along with the presentation slides.

Integrated Credit Union Member Communications (Podcast)

Tuesday, July 19 2011

Credit unions communicate with their members constantly, whether in branch, over the phone in a mail piece or email. In this podcast we speak with Steve Miller of Cathedral Corporation about how to turn your traditional member communications into an integrated, results-driven marketing engine in order to foster more active, loyal and profitable members.

Credit, Debit and Prepaid Cards Industry Update: 2011 Study of Payment Trends and Member Preferences (Webinar)

Thursday, July 07 2011

What do the latest consumer card trends mean for your credit union? Watch this recently recorded webinar where we uncover the key findings from Discover’s second annual study on member card payment preferences and credit, debit and prepaid card market trends. Most importantly, we discuss how to use this valuable data to deliver well-executed programs, innovative tools and member-focused services that drive interest, adoption and usage within your member base.

2011 Q2 NIFCU$ Market Commentary (Article)

Wednesday, July 13 2011

It appears the U.S. economic recovery hit a soft patch this past quarter. First quarter 2011 GDP declined and there remain concerns about rising inflationary pressures, although not in the area of wages. However, gasoline prices have softened a bit–a small bit of good news for consumers as housing is still struggling. Read more from NIFCU$ Fund Manager, Hillary Elder in this downloadable report.

Impermissible Investments and Their Associated Risks for Employee Benefits (Webcast)

Tuesday, July 12 2011

The NCUA offers credit unions the ability to invest in otherwise "impermissible investments" for the purposes of off-setting future employee benefit obligations. In this webcast, we discuss different types of impermissible investments -- and most importantly, focus on their associated risks for your employee benefits, including insurance product structure, their effects on your balance sheet and current regulations.

Avoiding the Five Pitfalls of Investing (Webcast)

Thursday, July 07 2011

Investing can be tricky, especially when you don’t have the time to keep up with your investments and the investment opportunities available to you. In this webcast, we uncover the five common pitfalls of investing and how you and your credit union members can avoid them.

Economic Review: What your credit union should do to prepare for changes ahead (Podcast)

Tuesday, May 31 2011

Recent Federal Reserve Board members’ comments, plus improving economic readings, may mean this period of ultra-low interest rates is nearing an end. In this podcast we discuss the current market and economy, what may be coming down the road, and most importantly, what credit unions can be doing to prepare for these probable changes.

Fee Income Through Wealth Management (Webinar)

Tuesday, May 31 2011

Give your members the wealth management help they need AND generate fee income! Not only do your members need financial planning and wealth management now more than ever, but your credit union needs the fee income that these services generate. Watch this recorded webinar as we address the changing wealth management needs of different psychographic groups and how a successful holistic wealth management approach creates greater member lifetime value.

Mortgage Loan Servicing – Current Issues and Options for Credit Unions (Podcast)

Thursday, May 26 2011

There has been a flood of legislative and regulatory reform heavily affecting the Mortgage Loan Servicing industry, and it’s probably not over yet. In this podcast we speak with David Allison, the Senior Vice President responsible for business development at Dovenmuehle on the mortgage servicing changes, challenges and opportunities that exist for credit unions today.

Exploring Long Term Care Insurance for Credit Union Officials (Podcast)

Tuesday, May 24 2011

Late last year the NCUA issued a letter affirming that federal credit unions can offer long term care insurance to Board members. In this podcast you’ll hear from two experts about what long term care insurance is and how to evaluate key features, costs and benefits associated with offering this benefit to your credit union volunteers.

Dollar Cost Averaging (Webcast)

Monday, May 02 2011

Dollar cost averaging is one of the most fundamental investment concepts and one that your credit union and members should understand. In this webcast, we look at how to evaluate investments using dollar cost averaging in order to optimize invests and mitigate investing risks.

Maximizing the Value of Checks (Whitepaper)

Thursday, April 28 2011

Deluxe recently conducted an online survey to gain consumer insight on pricing for various check quantities. The ultimate goal was to hone in on an optimal retail pricing strategy that would allow financial institutions to generate revenue without sacrificing consumer demand for checks.

Discover's Horizon (Newsletter) - Issue #4 - Spring 2011

Tuesday, April 26 2011

The year 2010 was an interesting time for cards and payments, with legislative, as well as economic, challenges. This issue of the Discover Horizon Newsletter includes a report on growth in the card industry, an outlook on the 2011, an update on congressional activity affecting the consumer credit industry, and more.

2011 Q1 NIFCU$ Market Commentary (Article)

Wednesday, April 20 2011

Recent Federal Reserve Board member comments, plus improving economic readings, may mean this period of ultra-low interest rates is nearing an end. Higher oil prices have put a damper on consumer sentiment and should affect spending in the second quarter of 2011. Read more from NIFCU$ Fund Manager, Hillary Elder in this downloadable report.

Discover's Horizon (Newsletter) - Issue #3 - Winter 2011

Wednesday, April 06 2011

Although this past year had its challenges with legislative issues and a slow economy, 2011 appears to have some exciting opportunities on the horizon. In this issue: Mobile Marketing — Timely, Relevant and Empowering; Suite of Products to Enhance Loyalty; Joint Venture to Build National Mobile Commerce Network; and Discover Orange Bowl.

Designing Accounts to Deliver Member Value (Webcast)

Monday, February 28 2011

With recent financial reform regulations, credit unions have been faced with some tough decisions when it comes to their product and service offerings. Among those is the question of offering free or fee-based checking accounts.

21st Century Business: Credit Union Credit Card Options (Video Clip)

Thursday, March 31 2011

21st Century Business educates the business and consumer audience in an informative, objective format on the latest technologies, strategies and approaches impacting corporations, operations, and the public at large. Discover, along with NAFCU Services, provided viewers with key insights on how credit unions can increase membership and loyalty through their product offerings.

Internal Fraud and the Role of the Supervisory Committee (Whitepaper)

Tuesday, March 29 2011

What role does the Supervisory Committee play in finding internal fraud within a credit union? Being aware of their key responsibility is critical to the success of the committee’s role and also keeping the CU safe from losses caused by internal theft. This article briefly touches on fraud detection techniques and the responsibility of the Supervisory Committee in uncovering internal fraud.

Innovating the Shared Branching Interface with Foreign Exchange

Friday, March 25 2011

Despite the tough economy, credit union members are continuing to travel. Daily foreign currency exchanges are in the trillions of dollars. Taking advantage of this virtually untapped opportunity in the credit union industry, eZforex.com and FSCC (Financial Service Centers Cooperative) recently unveiled the first integrated foreign currency purchase platform connecting online foreign currency transaction data to the FSCC Shared Branching Network of over 6,500 credit unions.

Integrating Credit Cards into Your Overall Payments Strategy (Podcast & Presentation)

Friday, March 18 2011

The economic, regulatory and competitive environment has created consumers that are more conservative and considerably “choosier” in their selection of financial products. Products that address consumer and member needs in innovative ways, and that are delivered to them in ways that are convenient to them will be the success stories in the future. Hear Stephanie Polen, Vice President, Client Portfolio Management for Vantiv present at NAFCU's 2011 Strategic Growth Conference and following along with the presentation slides.

Best Practices for Member Engagement (Webcast)

Thursday, December 23 2010

It is no surprise that credit unions face critical challenges in attracting new members, retaining their existing members and, in particular, building and maintaining trust in their organization as a financial institution. At their core, each one of these challenges require a high level of member engagement. In this webcast you will learn about what member engagement is as well as best practices to maximize member engagement at your credit union.

Generating New Revenue with a Low-Risk Insurance Agency Solution

Thursday, February 03 2011

Did you miss this webinar? Learn first-hand how your credit union can drive fee income, enhance its competitive position and deepen member relationships with its own insurance agency. Featuring a case study of United FCU. The recording and handouts are now available for download!

2010 Q4 NIFCU$ Market Commentary (Article)

Monday, January 24 2011

The upward revision to third quarter growth (+2.6%) and the surprisingly strong trend in consumer spending in the fourth quarter have many economists forecasting stronger economic growth in 2011. Read more from NIFCU$ Fund Manager, Hillary Elder in this downloadable report.

Insurance Regulation and the Optional Federal Charter Bill’s Impact on Credit Unions (Podcast)

Friday, January 21 2011

If you operate in multiple states, you know that selling insurance is a compliance nightmare. In this podcast, we meet with Jeff Chesky, President and CEO of Insuritas, to discuss insurance distribution regulation today and the barriers it presents for credit unions as well as discuss the Optional Federal Charter bill that’s in Congress and how that could positively impact credit unions.

Interchange Legislation Update for Credit Unions (Webinar)

Friday, January 28 2011

Watch the recently recorded webinar, Interchange Legislation Update for Credit Unions, from Vantiv and NAFCU Services, and learn the latest on the Dodd-Frank Financial Reform and Consumer Protection Act.

Key Findings from the 2010 Debit Issuer Study (Webcast)

Friday, January 14 2011

PULSE® commissioned Oliver Wyman to conduct the 2010 Debit Issuer Study, the definitive assessment of the debit card market. The study was based on primary research with 64 financial institutions, was conducted in February and March 2010, and sampled 78.7 million debit cards, balanced across FI size, geography and network participation.

Executive Benefit Plans and Board Due Diligence (Webcast)

Wednesday, February 02 2011

Assets needed to fund executive benefit and incentive plans are the responsibility of the credit union’s board of directors. Oversight to ensure compliance with NCUA regulations regarding “Fair and Reasonable” total compensation and “Safe and Sound” investments require careful and extensive efforts.

How Credit Unions Can Attract and Retain Next Generation Members (Article)

Thursday, January 13 2011

How well do you know your members? Gen Xers and Millennials seem to be cut from a slightly different cloth than their parents or grandparents. They live in a world without walls; believe there are no limits to what they can do; think that being a celebrity is a viable career option; and are comfortable living in an online world that affords them instant access and answers.

Economic Outlook: Post Mid-term Elections and Federal Reserve Meeting (Podcast)

Monday, January 24 2011

What will the mid-term elections and the most recent Federal Reserve meeting mean for the economy? In this podcast, we meet with Hillary Elder, Vice President and Director for Money Market Strategies with HighMark Capital Management to discuss the transition of political power and its impact on trends in tax policy and regulation.

Findings of the 2010 Securian Debt Protection & Credit Insurance Benchmarking Survey (Podcast)

Wednesday, December 22 2010

Whether debt protection or credit insurance, choosing the right program for your credit union can be challenging. In this podcast, we uncover the key findings of a best practices survey that may serve as a blueprint for credit unions to consider as they compare debt protection and credit insurance options.

A Closer Look at the Prime Alliance Innovation Award Winning Mortgage Solution for Credit Unions (Podcast)

Wednesday, December 22 2010

Credit unions are always looking for mortgage origination and processing solutions that boost efficiency, reduce cost and enhance the overall member mortgage experience. In this podcast, we speak with Dan Green of Prime Alliance Solutions, a winner of the NAFCU Services Corporation 2010 Innovation Awards, about their best-in-class, comprehensive, Web-based mortgage origination and processing solution for credit unions.

Credit Protection Proposed Rules Under Reg Z (Podcast)

Wednesday, December 22 2010

The Federal Reserve Board has proposed changes to Reg Z relating to credit insurance and debt protection disclosures that could negatively impact credit unions’ sales of these products. In this podcast, we visit with Cathy Klimek, Counsel for Securian Financial Group. Cathy is an expert on Reg Z and will discuss the proposed rule and how it may affect credit unions if finalized.

Discover® U.S. Spending Monitor Update - October 2010 (Webinar)

Thursday, January 13 2011

Learn latest trends in spending intentions and financial confidence of your members! Discover recently launched its quarterly Discover U.S. Spending Monitor Report for Credit Unions. The report gives credit union executives better insight into how members feel about the economy and managing their personal finances. In addition, credit union members are looked at in comparison to non-credit union members.

FACT Act Risk-Based Pricing Changes and What Credit Unions Need to Do Before January 1st, 2011 (Podcast)

Thursday, December 23 2010

Based on an existing creditor’s right to review consumer reports, interest rates may be adjusted upward if a consumer falls short in any account. In this podcast, we speak with an expert from Wolters Kluwer Financial Services about how the FACT Act changes risk-based pricing and what credit unions need to do before the January 1, 2010.

NAFCU 2010 Executive Compensation and Benefits Survey (Webcast)

Monday, January 24 2011

Discover the key findings to NAFCU's 2010 Executive Compensation & Benefits Survey in a new webcast with Jack Clark, PHD, of independent research firm, Clark & Chase Research.

NCUA Investment Due Diligence (NCUA Letter NO: 10-CU-18) (Podcast)

Monday, January 24 2011

NCUA now requires credit unions to evaluate and document specific fundamental elements before purchasing an investment. In this podcast, we discuss how these new investment due diligence guidelines will affect credit union executive benefit plans with Tom Telford, Consultant with Burns-Fazzi, Brock.

Market Update on Credit, Debit and Prepaid: An In-Depth Study of Member Payment Preferences (Presentation)

Monday, December 06 2010

In this timely session at NAFCU's 43rd Annual Conference & Exhibition, detailed results from a recent data study on credit union member attitudes and preferences towards credit, debit and prepaid payment vehicles were presented.

Enterprise Risk Management: What Credit Unions Need to Know (Podcast)

Monday, December 06 2010

Enterprise risk management is not just a process credit unions utilize to mitigate and manage the negative consequences of normal business operations. It is a practice of balancing risk and profitability. By understanding and managing the critical uncertainties that affect day-to-day business, credit unions can execute the proper strategies to achieve their performance goals in a post-financial crisis era.

Discover's Horizon (Newsletter) - Issue #1 - Summer 2010

Monday, December 06 2010

We're excited to share with our credit issuing community the first issue of a publication you will be receiving on a regular basis. This newsletter will provide valuable information and insight into our business and the card-issuing marketplace.

Make Insurance a Permanent Aisle in Your Branches (Article)

Monday, December 06 2010

Strategies for selling insurance to credit union members are undergoing a radical transformation. Regulatory reforms are limiting or eliminating traditional sources of fee income, and that's placing additional pressure on income sources like insurance sales to fill the gap and help with recapitalization efforts.

Evolution of Identity Theft and Ensuring Your Members' Protection (Webcast)

Friday, January 21 2011

There have been nearly 50 million cases of id theft in the last five years and almost 20 million in the last two years. This equates to a cost of about $56 billion annually or $6,000 per person on an anual basis. In this webcast we are joined by Todd Werner, VP Marketing for Affinion Group, to discuss the evolution of identity theft including disturbing examples of how easy it is to steal someone's identity.

Consumers Want the Right to Write Checks (Whitepaper)

Thursday, December 23 2010

In June 2010, Ipsos, a leading global survey-based market research company, conducted a survey to understand the use of personal checks. Find out how consumers feel about losing their freedom to pay by check and being "forced" to pay by cash or credit card at retailers and restaurants.

Building a Successful Insurance Aisle in Your Branches: A Case Study of Hudson Valley FCU (Recorded Webinar)

Monday, November 08 2010

Hear first-hand how one credit union has built a successful insurance agency in just two short years that sells over 100 insurance policies every month while minimizing costs and riskin this free recorded webinar, Building a Successful Insurance Aisle in Your Branches: A Case Study of Hudson Valley FCU.

An Executive Introduction to Social Media (Webcast)

Monday, December 06 2010

Social media is emerging as a very powerful means for consumers to be heard and for businesses to engage these consumers. And it's becoming more and more apparent that credit unions can effectively leverage social media to create better member onboarding, member engagement and member interaction. In this webcast, we take a look at what you, as a credit union executive, should be doing to help your credit union engage members with social media.

2010 A Homeownership Odyssey (Whitepaper)

Thursday, February 10 2011

There couldn’t be an better economic cycle in which to make the first-time buyer commitment. Homes are the most affordable they’ve been in more than a decade and rates are low. Learn about creating a successful first time homebuying experience for your members and about paperless mortgage lending in this whitepaper from Prime Alliance.

Navigating the Regulatory Haze of Compensation Risk (Article)

Monday, December 06 2010

Chris Burns-Fazzi, CLU, ChFC, Principal, Burns-Fazzi, Brock, is featured as a guest columnist in the May/June 2010 issue of NAFCU's The Federal Credit Union magazine, addressing the many inherent risks to consider when developing benefits for key people at the credit union, including informally funding those benefits.

Community Banks Perfectly Poised to be Close To Home Leaders (Whitepaper)

Monday, December 06 2010

As the concept of recovery seems more and more likely, Banks are responding with an eagerness to increase their market share, sell more products and services, and reach out to new audiences. This eagerness is offset, however, by the reality that things have changed. Consumers feel different about their banks than they used to, their needs have changed, their buying process modified.

Creditor Placed Insurance in 2010 (Article)

Monday, December 06 2010

Peg Reinking, senior vice president, loan servicing products division at Allied Solutions, is featured as a guest columnist in NAFCU's March/April 2010 issue of The Federal Credit Union Magazine to explain key success factors for credit union CPI programs in 2010.

Looking Behind the Global Recovery: Current Economic and Capital Market Outlook (Podcast)

Monday, December 06 2010

As we start to look towards a recovering global economy, it may be tough to see where we as credit unions stand in the - hopefully - recovering financial arena. With market volatility on the rise the question is whether we are in the "new normal", or whether the "new normal" even exists. In this podcast we get a sneak peek of a presentation for NAFCU's 2010 CEOs Conference on current economic and capital markets.

How to Evaluate an Executive Benefit Plan Vendor (Podcast)

Monday, December 06 2010

The right vendor can make or break your retirement plan, as anyone who has struggled with fixing a broken plan knows too well. In this podcast we visit with Michael Blank, Senior Manager at Burns-Fazzi, Brock to discuss how to separate the good vendors from the bad, and specifically what criteria makes the difference.

Benchmarking: Recruiting, Retaining and Developing Talent (Webcast)

Monday, December 06 2010

Developing talent is one of the most important roles you have as a leader and manager of your credit union. You are accountable for attracting, retaining and transitioning employees within the credit union in order to help foster a successful and satisfied workforce. In this webcast we discuss how to draw out what another needs and desires and how to lead so that they experience meaningful success.

Generative Conversation: Learn How to Lead Collaborative Teams (Webcast)

Thursday, December 23 2010

As leaders in your credit union, it is your responsibility to organize skills and talents of others in order to generate an observable outcome. An important part of that task includes effectively guiding your team through collaborative conversations that create new ideas, options and actions for positive results. In this webcast we explore how to lead generative conversation in order to boost the success of your team and ultimately of the credit union as a whole.

Exploring the Three Critical Factors of Your Split-Dollar Retirement Plan: Understanding, Design and Administration (Podcast)

Monday, December 06 2010

Developing an effective Spilt-Dollar Retirement plan for executives can be challenging, and requires expert insight into the goals and objectives of the plan, design issues to meet those goals and objectives, and ongoing administration to ensure that it still meets those goals and objectives over time.

Managing the Member Experience (Webinar)

Monday, December 06 2010

How do members describe their credit union experience? How do you want them to describe their credit union experience? In this recorded webinar, Mike Lokowich, Experience Manager at Deluxe Corporation, discusses the insights that they have gained over the years with research and participation with credit union members to successfully show members they are important.

7 Ways to Use Twitter at Your Credit Union (Webcast)

Monday, December 06 2010

Social media channels are proving to be a valuable part of your marketing strategy more and more. However, it is important to understand how to use these non-traditional marketing channels in order to foster meaningful relationships with your members. In this webcast we take a look at one of the most popular and effective social media outlets, Twitter.

Managing Your 401(k) for Maximum Results (Recorded Webinar)

Monday, December 06 2010

Ensure you and your credit union employees get the most out of your credit union retirement plan! Watch this recorded webinar to discover how to evaluate your plan's investment strategy, and help your participants develop a long term focus by understanding the time tested principles of investing for retirement.

Designed to Fit (Article)

Monday, December 06 2010

NAFCU's bi-monthly magazine, The Federal Credit Union has turned to Diane Molvig, a freelance writer who has extensively written on credit union issues, to look at how credit unions are attracting and retaining quality executive talent. In the article Designed to Fit Diane discusses how easily it is to figure out what credit unions must do to create an executive package that puts executives in the running to not only attract them, but to retain their quality talent.

How Issuers Can Deliver Mobile Payments Today: A Guide for Contactless Sticker Issuance (Whitepaper)

Friday, November 12 2010

Since the introduction of contactless payments in the earlier part of this decade, the payments industry has made steady progress creating consumer awareness while building the merchant point-of-sale infrastructure necessary to support widespread issuance of contactless payment devices. However, the “boom” in contactless payments has been delayed in large part because the introduction of mobile devices with embedded Near Field Communications (NFC) capabilities has not evolved as quickly as expected. Card issuers and mobile carriers continue to evaluate the best business model for offering this technology to their customers and a stalemate has persisted for the past two to three years. As a result, a new payment technology has taken center stage to ‘bridge the gap’: contactless stickers.

Debt and its Impact on Retirement Security: a Generational Study (Podcast & Whitepaper)

Monday, December 06 2010

While financial experts have long been concerned about the level of debt in America, this new research, Debt and its Impact on Retirement Security - a Generational Study, sponsored by Securian Financial Group, Inc. examines attitudes about debt and how debt is directly linked to retirement security.

Managing Risk: Member Business Lending (Webcast)

Monday, December 06 2010

Allied Solutions is a premier provider of Credit Union Bond and Property & Casualty Packages of coverage. It has a strong reputation in the area of risk management services and training. Services include on-site risk reviews, scam alerts, directors and officers liability training, bondability, check fraud training, robbery training and risk alert newsletters.

2010 Economic Trends & Outlook (Article)

Monday, December 06 2010

With 2009 almost behind us, The Federal Credit Union Magazine turned to Hillary Elder, vice president and portfolio manager of the National Investment Fund for Credit Unions (NIFCU$), for her outlook on several key indicators as we head into 2010.

Creditor-Placed Insurance (CPI): Understanding Payment Recalculation Modules (Webcast)

Monday, December 06 2010

Check out a new tool from Allied Solutions that automates the sometimes daunting process of re-calculating borrower loan payments when Creditor Placed Insurance (CPI) policies change. Credit unions can see staff time savings of up to 75 percent with much greater accuracy versus a manual, labor-intensive process that is often prone to miscalculation. John Harcourt, 2nd Vice President, presents.

2009 NAFCU Executive Compensation and Benefits Survey Results (Webcast)

Monday, December 06 2010

Co-sponsored by NAFCU, NAFCU Services and Preferred Partner Burns-Fazzi, Brock, the 2009 NAFCU Executive Compensation and Benefits Survey Results are summarized. In its third year, the survey was created to better understand the compensation and benefits offered to the top executives of NAFCU member credit unions.

Check Fraud Part I - Fraud Methods and Types of Scams (Webcast)

Monday, December 06 2010

Check out the first webcast in a two-part series designed to educate credit unions on identifying instances of and decreasing losses from check fraud. Patrick Touhey of Allied Solutions reviews methods such as paperhanging, check kiting, check washing and counterfeiting. He continues discusses common scams such as lottery scams, eBay scams, Nigerian scams, and phishing and pharming scams.

Check Fraud Part II: Fraud Detection Basics (Webcast)

Monday, December 06 2010

The second in a two part webcast series, Patrick Touhey of Allied Solutions highlights check fraud prevention and detection measures. Discover strategies and tactics credit unions can use to prevent check fraud.

Best Practices for Portfolio Risk Analysis Whitepaper and Case Study (Whitepaper & Case Study)

Thursday, February 10 2011

Real estate lending is becoming the principal business activity for most credit unions. The loan portfolio is typically the largest asset and the predominate source of revenue. As such, effective management of the real estate loan portfolio is fundamental to credit union safety and soundness. Learn best practices for portfolio risk analysis from this whitepaper from Prime Alliance that features a case study of Boeing Employees’ Credit Union.

Effective Cross-Channel Marketing Strategies for Your Credit Union (Recorded Webinar)

Monday, December 06 2010

Boost recruitment, retention and marketing ROI for your credit union! Learn marketing best practices during this webinar, Effective Cross-Channel Marketing Strategies for Your Credit Union, that took place Thursday, September 3, 2009, with special guest presenter Sundeep Kapur, Vice President of Strategic Marketing for NCR eCommerce.

Benchmarking Your Retirement Plan (Webcast)

Monday, December 06 2010

The process of benchmarking enables credit unions to examine whether their plans are effectively serving employees. As a key part of the compensation and benefits package, having a good 401(k) plan is critical to hiring and retaining great employees. Rich Rausser, Vice President at Pentegra Retirement Services, discusses key benchmarking metrics in this webcast.

Effective Retirement Plan Design for Credit Unions (Webcast)

Monday, December 06 2010

Retirement plans for employees represent a huge expense for credit unions. Designing a plan that works for both the credit union and employees requires consideration in several areas. Rich Rausser, Vice President at Pentegra Retirement Services, walks credit unions through design elements for successful retirement plans.

Current Trends in Payments Technology: Serving Today's Tech-Savvy Consumer (Podcast & Slides)

Monday, December 06 2010

Listen to this recorded NAFCU Annual Conference presentation from Peter Kulik, VP Product Management for Vantiv, LLC to find out what innovations are driving member services in the payments industry. Learn about changing ATM strategies, the impact that image-check clearing will have on the financial services industry and review the health of your debit and credit card portfolios.

Growing and Maintaining a Profitable Mortgage Business with Diligent Regulatory Compliance (Podcast)

Monday, December 06 2010

A major factor in managing a successful mortgage portfolio is an understanding of mortgage compliance. Listen to the popular NAFCU Annual Conference Session presented by Amy Downey, Senior Compliance Manager for Wolters Kluwer Financial Services, as she gives us an in-depth look at how to analyze compliance regulations in order to improve your mortgage strategy.

Engaging Members in Tough Times (Article)

Monday, December 06 2010

In the July/August issue of The Federal Credit Union Magazine , Wayne Conte of Affinion Group helps credit unions understand how to engage members in a tough economy.

Exploring Hope for the Economy (Recorded Webinar)

Monday, December 06 2010

We have assumed the worst for our economy, which did not come to pass. Is it now time to hope for the best? Watch a recorded webinar, Exploring Hope for the Economy, taped June 2009, to learn about developments in the economy and what they may mean for the future.

18 Strategies in 18 Months: Steps for Credit Unions to Increase Mortgage Market Share (Whitepaper)

Thursday, February 10 2011

Our time is now, credit union mortgage lenders! For the next 18 months we have a rare opportunity to become our members’ housing finance provider of choice today, tomorrow and for decades to come. We’re doing our part to help you seize this opportunity. 18 Strategies in 18 Months is Prime Alliance’s best thinking on the actions credit unions should take right now to gain substantial market share. Presented in four broad categories - Imagine, Tune-up, Concentrate, Differentiate - you’ll find our 18 suggestions for better lending.

Effective Collections for Turbulent Times (Podcast)

Monday, December 06 2010

Collections is never an easy task, but today's turbulent times pose an even greater challenge for credit unions. In this podcast, Dave Clune, Vice President of Risk Operations for Vantiv, LLC will help us understand how to be successful with the sometimes tricky task of collections in today's tough economic climate.

Meeting Member Needs With Income-Generating Solutions (Podcast)

Monday, December 06 2010

With the financial difficulties being faced by many of our members, income-generating activity is down across the board at many credit unions. In this podcast we discuss specific solutions from Securian Financial Group that are particularly beneficial in these trying times for both credit unions and their members, in particular solutions that protect members from the consequences of adverse economic situations, like unemployment.

Executive Compensation Plan Evaluation and Resuscitation (Article)

Monday, December 06 2010

In years of market growth, the financial instruments sometimes used to fund executive benefit and incentive plans parallel the upward market direction, requiring only annual monitoring to generate success smiles for all concerned. The Federal Credit Union Magazine turned to David Emery of Burns-Fazzi, Brock to understand executive compensation plan evaluaton and resuscitation considerations.

Branch Optimization: The Basics of Cash Recycling (Recorded Webinar)

Monday, December 06 2010

By integrating new innovative cash recycling technologies, credit unions are able to transform the branch experience, resulting in more efficient transaction processing, improved service and greater opportunities for sales. Watch a recorded webinar, Branch Optimization: The Basics of Cash Recycling, from April 30, 2009 with NAFCU Services Preferred Partner NCR Corporation.

1Q 2009 Economic Outlook (Podcast)

Monday, December 06 2010

Each week seems to bring a new government program to address some other part of the financial crisis. Just keeping track of the acronyms is a full-time job! Helping us to better understand what has been going on in the economy and where it is heading is Hillary Elder, Director for Taxable Money Market Strategies with HighMark Capital Management and NIFCU$, the National Investment Fund for Credit Unions.

Cash Recycling (Article)

Monday, December 06 2010

Though the branch remains an important retail banking delivery channel, the growth of other channels such as the ATM, online banking and, increasingly, mobile banking has meant that opportunities for one-to-one member interaction afforded by an in-person branch visit are now more important than ever. Paul Race of NCR Corporation guest-writes this "Inside NAFCU Services" column of The Federal Credit Union Magazine March/April 2009 issue.

A Comprehensive Credit Assessment Framework (Whitepaper)

Monday, December 06 2010

The magnitude of the current crisis makes it abundantly clear that there is significant room - and need - for improvement in current credit assessment approaches. SAS identifies two fundamental problems that contributed to the weakened underwriting standards and degraded loan quality.

Are You Ready for the Big Retirement Three? Position Your Credit Union for the Future (Webcast)

Monday, December 06 2010

How can you help members with the Big Retirement Three: financial planning, travel and leisure, and healthcare? These are the three biggest expenses members face with age. Barry Dayley, Vice President at Money Concepts, considers the implications of the growth of the Big Retirement Three over the next 20 years.

Estate Planning 101 (Webcast)

Monday, December 06 2010

How can you help members with estate planning? There are just a few simple steps that can make a huge difference. Michael Thompson of Money Concepts walks credit unions through an estate planning strategy to minimize government interference and ensure final wishes are followed.

Holistic Wealth Management: Positioning Your Credit Union for the Future (Webcast)

Monday, December 06 2010

With so many options for growing wealth, members welcome your help in adopting a holistic wealth management approach. Barry Dayley, VP at Money Concepts, walks credit unions through a financial planning framework to assist members as they approach retirement.

2008 3Q Economic Outlook, with Hillary Elder (Podcast)

Monday, December 06 2010

The 3rd quarter of 2008 has been, to say the least, an interesting time. Massive government intervention in capital markets and the private sector in such a short period of time marks a watershed for managing the economy, and carries implications for many years to come. This podcast features an interview with Ms.Hillary Elder, VP and Director of Money Market Strategies with NIFCU$.

Managing Risk: Robbery (Webcast)

Monday, December 06 2010

Effective IRA Training Programs (Article)

Monday, December 06 2010

Retirement experts are expecting job changers and retirees to roll millions of dollars into IRAs in the coming years. A 2008 study by the Financial Research Corp. estimates that rollover totals will approach $500 billion annually within five years. Christle Johnson, CIP, is a writer and consultant with Ascensus, a Preferred Partner of NAFCU Services. Ascensus provides a full range of retirement services to financial organizations nationwide, including education and training programs delivered through seminars, customized onsite training, and a variety of technology and Web-based products.

Have You Looked at Your Split Dollar Retirement Plan Lately? (Podcast)

Monday, December 06 2010

With the way that today's markets are trending, everyone is looking nervously at their retirement accounts and plans. Nothing is more unsettling than believing you're all fixed for retirement, and then seeing you're not, which is what many credit union executives with split-dollar retirement plans are finding out. Tax and accounting rules have changed the manner in which these plans function...

Growing and Retaining Members (Article)

Monday, December 06 2010

In the midst of turbulent times, it is often comforting to look to history for insights that might help in navigating the future. For instance, Benjamin Franklin's observation that "an investment in knowledge always pays the best interest" offers some important advice for today's credit union executives on growing and retaining members. David Wallace guest-writes the "Inside NAFCU Services" column in NAFCU's The Federal Credit Union Magazine.

2008 2Q Economic Outlook, with Hillary Elder (Podcast)

Monday, December 06 2010

We're in an up and down period right now in the economy - some sectors are up, some are down, and the Fed has taken interest rates down and now might be taking them up. And looming as threats on the horizon are the prospect of inflation, recession, and maybe even stagflation.

Beyond Lock-downs: Comprehensive Strategies to Protect Your Members from ID Theft (Podcast)

Monday, December 06 2010

An astounding 264 million pieces of individual personal information were exposed by either identity theft or fraud in 2007. Odds are that your personal information will at some point be compromised, either by something you do or by something that someone you do business with does.

2008 1Q Economic Outlook - Is that a light at the end of the tunnel? (Podcast)

Monday, December 06 2010

The economy has undergone significant change in the fourth quarter of 2007 and the first quarter of 2008, as evidenced by perturbations in the stock market, the rapid response of the Federal Reserve in rate reductions, capital availability and market intervention. This podcast features an interview with an expert in the field who will take a look back at the first quarter of 2008 and try to understand what it all means.

Enhancing Member Relationships (Podcast)

Monday, December 06 2010

This podcast features a conversation with Katie Gore, Vice President of Market Opportunity, from Deluxe Financial Services, who will talk about specific strategies for credit unions to maintain relevancy, keep up with the competition and know where to focus their efforts while also providing first-rate customer service and achieving business goals.

Debt Protection (Article)

Thursday, February 10 2011

this September/October 2007 issue of The Federal Credit Union Magazine, John Gibbons of Securian Financial Group guest writes about debt protection, including a case study that illustrates the key success factors in moving from a credit-based program to a debt protection-based program.

Foreign Exchange Services for Credit Unions (Podcast)

Monday, December 06 2010

We all have members that travel, for work or for pleasure, and they often need to purchase foreign currency for their trips. On average, they will spend between $1,400 and $3,500 combined on these trips. Learn how your credit union can serve your members better with foreign exchange services.

Challenges and Opportunities in Housing Finance for Credit Unions (Podcast)

Monday, December 06 2010

Owning your own home is a dream common to many credit union Members. But it seems as though more often than not they turn to banks or other lenders to translate dreams into reality. This podcast features an interview with Dan Green, Executive Vice President of Prime Alliance, to discuss some of the underlying market dynamics, and to focus on how credit unions can overcome what some might see as obstacles to establishing and growing a housing finance program.

CEO and Board Liability for 401(k) and Retirement Plan Fiduciary Obligations (Podcast)

Monday, December 06 2010

This podcast focuses on CEO and Board Liability for 401(k) and Retirement Plans. Nearly every credit union has these plans in some form, and for every one someone – usually the CEO – serves as what is called the plan fiduciary. That role carries with it significant responsibilities and, as you will find out, significant personal (not corporate) liability as well.

Learn Best Practices for Profitable Deposit Acquisition (Podcast)

Monday, December 06 2010

Everyone wants to grow, the question is how, particularly when today's financial services environment poses tremendous competitive challenges. This podcast features an interview with Todd Werner, Vice President of Marketing at the Affinion Group, who will discuss what other credit unions are doing successfully to grow their deposits from an expert in the field, and how you can apply it to yours.

Midnight in CU Mortgage Lending (Podcast and Presentation)

Wednesday, October 03 2012

As times have changed, so has the mortgage loan industry for credit unions. Since the late 1970s mortgage lending has been one of the most valuable investments for both the credit union and the member. With the housing affordability at an all-time high, now is the time for credit unions to re-engage with their members who are in the market for a new home. In this presentation, you will learn more about how the industry has changed and why credit unions should take advantage of the housing market today.