Grand Openings. The following credit unions recently opened new facilities: Access CU in Broadview, Earthmover CU in Montgomery.

Grant Deadline.  The second review for 2009 grants (Community Service, Small Credit Union Development, Marketing and Business Development, and Financial Independence & Revitalization Effort (FIRE)) will take place following the July 31 application deadline. Printable application forms are available on the ICUL Web site.  Grant application review deadlines are March 31, July 31, and October 31.  Grant seekers are encouraged to complete and return the application form to the Foundation as early in the year as possible since grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications will be reviewed as long as grant funds are available.  If you have any questions about the grant programs, contact Vicki Ponzo or Melanie Murphy at 800-942-7124. 

Hawthorne Credit Union raises funds to fight cancer.  Personifying the credit union industry’s “People Helping People” motto, the senior management of Hawthorne Credit Union recently helped raise money for the American Cancer Society (ACS) by volunteering to spend two Friday afternoons spreading mulch and doing other landscaping clean up duties at the credit union’s two member service branch locations.  In addition, the credit union was lucky enough to find a charitable-minded landscaping supply company willing to donate the mulch and use of their equipment (valued at approximately $1,000) for the project.  The credit union is donating a portion of the money saved to the American Cancer Society’s “Relay For Life” event, which aims at raising money for cancer research and treatment.  Along with the mulching renewal project, Hawthorne CU also raised more than $1,000 for “Relay for Life” with Jeans Days (employees pay $5 to wear jeans to work) and formed a team for the Relay Event June 13-14.

Heritage Credit Union (HCU) introduces new logo and tagline.  A new brand identity by HCU involves changes to its logo that was developed in 2002. The new logo carries elements of the old one with a simplified look. The new graphical representation of the sun shows the warmth of Heritage and the philosophy of “people helping people.” The new brand identity unifies the credit union characteristics and better communicates HCU's community connection.  HCU also introduced a new tagline, “Expect More. Feel the difference.”  The new tag line captures the essence of doing business with Heritage where members can expect to receive unbeatable service. It also identifies the difference that members can feel at every single touchpoint within a Heritage Credit Union branch.  It also exemplifies the priority that Heritage Credit Union has put on creating a better banking experience for its members.

LEED Certification Awarded. Congratulations to Baxter CU for being awarded LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environment Design) Certification for Commercial Interior renovation by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). LEED Certification is the USGBC’s benchmark for the design and construction of the world’s greenest, most energy efficient, and high performance buildings.  Baxter CU is the first Illinois credit union to be LEED certified and the first building in Vernon Hills to achieve this status.

Mooney Speaks at Global Financial Literacy Summit. David W. Mooney, President and Chief Executive Officer of Chicago-based Alliant Credit Union, made a business case for financial literacy as a tool for economic recovery and sustainability, as a featured speaker at the first Global Financial Literacy Summit in Washington, DC. The summit, headlined by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, was sponsored by Operation HOPE, America’s leading nonprofit social investment banking and financial literacy empowerment organization. Alliant Credit Union is an Operation HOPE partner, offering financial support to its cause. Alliant employees serve as volunteers to teach middle school students basic principals of personal financial management, in addition to working with Alliant’s employer group sponsors to promote financial literacy in the workplace. The Global Financial Literacy Summit was launched in response to the global economic crisis, with the goal of framing the issue of financial literacy not as an option, but rather as a core ingredient to mid-to-long term economic recovery.

New CEOs. Welcome to the following new CEOs of Illinois credit unions:

• Allied Tube EFCU - Jackie Trichak
• Alton Bell Community CU - Ann Lilleberg
• Branch 825 NALC CU - Gary Marinellie
• CAI ECU - Mary Barrie
• Champaign County ECU - Kathy Larson
• Compaction America FCU - Alice Conner
• Corey Steel CU - Daniel Rankin
• Gale CU - Jennifer Rogers
• School District No. 9 CU - Lisa Reeves

New Name.  UOP FCU is now Encore FCU.

NuMark helps elementary students save.  Last year the students at Laraway saved around $2,000, but this year, in the middle of an economic recession, the students were able to double their savings to over $5,400. The class with the most amount of money saved this school year got a Bowling Party.  Laraway Elementary has partnered over the last seven years with NuMark Credit Union to offer their students the Bank at School Program. This program brings the financial institution to the school and allows students to start saving their money early and develop healthy savings habits.  This year Laraway Elementary was one of the schools in Illinois to receive the Spotlight Award from the Illinois State Board of Education. The Spotlight Award is given to high poverty schools where high academic performance is closing the achievement gap.

Retirement. Best wishes to Dave Geer, former CEO of Gale CU, who recently retired.

Scott CU helps students learn about finances at Reality Fair.  More than 165 students from Triad High School made real-life decisions to help teach them financial skills during the CU 4 Reality Financial Education Fair recently sponsored by Scott Credit Union.  The CU 4 Reality Program teaches participants important skills to equip them to handle money responsibly, set and adhere to budgets, and avoid the pitfalls of debt.  The CU 4 Reality Financial Education Fair is a culminating, day-long event that gives participants a chance to see how career selection impacts their financial well-being and their life choices.  Participants created a spending plan based on a salary and juggled needs versus wants to make sure they are living within their means.  Participants also met with credit union and other community volunteers to understand the real expenses they will face in adulthood and the choices they’ll need to make to avoid falling in to debt.  The CU 4 Reality program was developed by the Financial Literacy Education Committee of America’s Credit Union Museum, in conjunction with the New Hampshire Credit Union League.

USA ONE CU supports Dollars for Scholars®.  During the month of June, USA One Credit Union supported Crete-Monee District 201U Education Foundation’s DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS® program, which raises funds in the immediate community to help graduates from local high schools pursue their dream of higher education.  During the month, the credit union passed the $10 new member fee paid by parents and guardians of Crete-Monee students back to the foundation to help fund college scholarships, which will be provided to District students.  In addition, USA One made a $25 deposit into the new member’s account, just for joining, and an additional $25 when they sign up for direct payroll deposit.  The foundation’s goal is to provide $1,000 in scholarship funds this year.

ICUL News & Notes

Deadline Reminder: ICUL Data Collection Update.  On May 22, all affiliated credit unions were mailed several forms as well as information about opportunities available to members of the Illinois Credit Union League.  Your assistance is needed to review the materials, as some of them require your response.   The information sent included:

• Field of Membership Survey – Response Requested by July 31
• Online Credit Union Directory Update – Response Requested by July 31
• Email Newsletter and ListServ Subscriptions Update – Response Requested by July 31
• Find A Credit Union Program
• Job Classifieds

Please refer to the forms and information mailed to your credit union.  You may also read more details by clicking here.  If you have any questions, please contact Vicki Ponzo, Senior Vice President of Member Services, at 800-942-7124.

CUNA News & Notes

Mica on Bloomberg TV, Fox Business.  CUNA President and CEO Dan Mica talked up credit unions and their 100 years of serving America's consumers recently on Bloomberg TV and Fox Business Network's "Money For Breakfast" program. Speaking from Boston (during a break from the America's Credit Union Conference & Expo) with anchor Pimm Fox, Dan provided an overview of the credit union difference and how credit unions have effectively served members in hard times. He also answers questions about the corporate stabilization and its impact on the movement at large. 

See the video (members only) at the link below:
http://www.cuna.org/member/video/nn_062409.html 

Mica also emphasized the benefits of credit union credit cards during Fox Business Network's "Money for Breakfast" program, which aired Saturday, June 27.  Mica and Adam Levin of credit.com were featured on the show to provide insights on recently passed credit card legislation. 

To view the Fox piece, click here: http://www.cuna.org/download/video/nn_063009.html.

Youth Conference Discounts. The National Youth Involvement Board (NYIB) announced discounts to its annual conference which is set for August 3-6 in Tempe, AZ.  The discounts are listed below.  Go to NYIB's website for more detailed information about the conference at www.nyib.org.

• $499 for CUNA Marketing and Business Development Council members
• $499 for REAL Solutions credit unions
• $299 for CUDEs
• $199 for league representatives