Educational Opportunities 

Robbery is one of the most feared crimes. Period. The number of robberies increases and decreases in every region of the country -- it's a business cycle. The need for a standardized, comprehensive robbery prevention, response and aftermath training program remains constant, however. And a separate training program should be developed for managers and executives -- because their duties and responsibilities before, during and after a robbery will likely be different than those of staff and their immediate supervisors. Join us for the Robbery QuickBites session (Session Code: 483) to be held on June 11.  It is designed to help you:

• Conduct an initial and continuing robbery risk assessment.
• Determine if your robbery-training program is appropriate and effective.
• Determine the most effective types of training -- including a discussion of "mock" robberies as a training tool.
• Identify employee classifications that should receive different levels of training, including executives and board members.
• Identify policies, procedures and training techniques that should be retained, modified or eliminated.
• Make recommendations that will likely enhance employee and customer safety.
• Gain the necessary support from your board of directors, other department managers and staff.
• Prepare the tools that both the institution and the trainer may use to defend.

Thinking about offering ACH Origination Services, but don’t know where to begin? The ACH II telecourse on June 16 (Session Code: 485) will help your credit union establish and maintain a successful ACH origination operation by examining the benefits and risks of origination, helping you identify the best candidates for ACH, and explaining the preliminary requirements. We will review your warranties and liabilities as an Originating Depository Financial Institution (ODFI) and explain the importance of acknowledging these liabilities in your agreements. You will also understand why a one-size-fits-all strategy won’t work and learn how to tailor your agreements to provide protection to your credit union and limit your risk.

In the Designing a Loan Department that Will Kick Butt & Take Names (Session Code: 486) QuickBites session on June 22, specific advice will be given on how to position your credit union’s lending effort for maximum success. This discussion is not theoretical; it will contain concrete suggestions for improving your lending results that have been proven effective by various credit unions around the country. Topics to be covered include:

• Leadership
• Organizational Design
• Policy
• Technology
• Risk Tolerance
• Staff
• Compensation

Back in the “old days” Business Development (BD) for credit union SEGs was fairly easy – the HR department promoted the credit union as a HR Benefits and you just had to supply them with an occasional brochure or account card. Now everyone is hustling after the same companies and the “same” member. What can you do to make your credit union stand out in your community and make companies want to contact you versus you banging on their (closed) door? The June 30 QuickBites session entitled, Redefining BD in Community Charters (Session Code: 487) will provide you with innovative ideas, “underground” marketing techniques that work and a way to rethink your BD strategy. The presenter believes strongly that Business Development is key to every credit union’s survival and will share with you actual methods that work and help you achieve your membership goals.

Looking ahead to next month, the Repossession and Sale of Collateral QuickBites (Session Code: 601) will be held on July 8.  A credit union is held to strict compliance with respect to the repossession of vehicles, the pre-sale notice, and the reasonableness of the foreclosure sale. This area is fraught with danger for the credit union. Making a mistake in the repossession process can mean that the member to sue the credit union for damages. Given the economic downturn, credit unions have to deal with repossessions and foreclosure sales more frequently.

Small credit unions:  Mark your calendar now for the Small Asset Size CU Conference.  This popular conference for credit unions with $20 million or less in assets will be held at the ICU System Center in Naperville August 4 & 5.  Click here for the latest information about this conference.

For a complete calendar of all Educational offerings, please click here.