News & Notes
ICUL Chairman appointed to CUNA Governmental Affairs Committee. John Bratsakis, chairman of the Illinois Credit Union League (ICUL), was recently appointed to the Credit Union National Association’s (CUNA) Governmental Affairs Committee. The purpose of the committee is to advise and provide policy recommendations to the CUNA Board of Directors regarding legislative, regulatory, and political action issues affecting the credit union movement. Bratsakis will serve a one-year term on the committee. “It is a great honor for me to be asked to serve on the Governmental Affairs Committee,” said Bratsakis. “I look forward to working with CUNA and the members of the committee to further its goals and the legislative challenges that face credit unions across the country.” Bratsakis is senior vice president of business development for Baxter CU in Vernon Hills, Illinois, and was recently re-elected as ICUL chairman for a one-year term at its annual convention last month. He also serves in this capacity for the ICUL Service Corporation (LSC). Bratsakis has served on the league board since 2001 representing the Thomas W. Doig Chapter of Credit Unions. During this time, he was also chairman of the legislative committee, a member of the executive committee, and a member of the Credit Union Support Group (CUSG) committee.
Fox Valley Smart Woman Smart Money conference. State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias will host a financial literacy conference for women in the Fox Valley area on Thursday, June 11 at the Elgin Community College Business Conference Center in Elgin. The theme for the 2009 Smart Women Smart Money conferences is “From Surviving to Thriving.” State Treasurer’s Chief of Staff Robin Kelly is scheduled to give the keynote address. Cynthia Hernandez Kolski, president of Communication Education will offer plenary remarks. Breakout session topics include budgeting and debt management, investing, insurance, and career change decisions. Smart Women Smart Money conferences, now in their ninth year, present a unique opportunity for women to learn about current financial issues, network with other women, and showcase their businesses and organizations. The SWSM conference is presented by Dollars and Sense Inc., a nonprofit organization. Certified Illinois teachers may earn one (1) CPDU for attending. Check-in will begin at 4:00 p.m., and the Smart Women Smart Money conference will follow from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. A light dinner will be provided. The conference is free but pre-registration is required. Register online at www.treasurer.il.gov under the Smart Women Smart Money link. Group registrations are encouraged (8 guests/table). If you are interested in being a vendor at the conference, please call Peter Gonzalez at 312-814-1247.
ICU Day 2009 Theme Announced. This year's International Credit Union (ICU) Day theme is: "Your Money. Your Choice. Your Credit Union." This year's theme was developed by Stan Cowan of A+ FCU in Austin, Texas. The theme celebrates the reasons why 177 million people worldwide choose credit unions. For more information, please see the League's Web Site.
A record breaking Savings Challenge! Youth in Illinois joined their counterparts across the nation to more than double the amount of money they previously saved during the annual savings challenge as part of National Credit Union Youth Week.
More than $26.5 million was saved by youth at their credit unions in the 2009 "Magic of Saving" savings challenge campaign. Compared to the 2008 record of $12 million, this year’s figures show that credit unions are capturing the interest of youth and teaching them the "magic of saving." Comparative results included:
|
2008 |
2009 |
IL |
| Deposited by youth |
$12,035,272 |
$26,529,081 |
$458,401.40 |
| Youth making deposits |
76,524 |
139,699 |
2,800 |
| New youth accounts opened |
6,748 |
10,006 |
257 |
As part of this effort, 23 Illinois credit unions participated. They included:
| Advantage One CU, Morrison |
Kane County Teachers CU, Elgin |
| Area Educational CU, Mattoon |
MEA CU, Monticello |
| Atlas Community CU, Wood River |
Members First Community CU, Quincy |
| Bell Financial Community CU, Bourbonnais |
Olin Community CU, E. Alton |
| Bell West Community CU, Westchester |
Prairie Trail CU, Joliet |
| Blaw-Knox CU, Mattoon |
Prairieland FCU, Normal |
| Community Plus FCU, Rantoul |
Rock Valley FCU, Loves Park |
| Cornerstone CU, Freeport |
Rockford Postal ECU, Loves Park |
| Decatur Earthmover CU, Decatur |
Shell Community FCU, Wood River |
| First Illinois CU, Danville |
Southern Illinois Area CU, Swansea |
| GCS Federal Credit Union, Granite City |
Utility ECU, Decatur |
| Great Lakes CU, N. Chicago |
|
Next year's National Credit Union Youth Week will be held April 18-24, 2010.
Diamond Awards announced. Land of Lincoln Credit Union was recently honored with a Diamond Award in the logo category for its new green apple design with accompanying tagline "Bank on Learning More." The logo helps drive home the credit union's primary objective: to educate the community about financial literacy. Diamond Awards recognize outstanding marketing and business development achievements in the credit union industry. The award was presented by the Credit Union National Association (CUNA).
DHCU Community CU received a Diamond Award for the Best Use of Art for its "13th Avenue" entry in the retail merchandising category. The artwork for the credit union was designed to create a product-focused sales environment to motivate current and potential members to use the credit union as their financial partner.
CDCU recognized for community impact. South Side Community Federal Credit Union received accolades for its innovative work in serving the underserved. Founded in 2003, SSFCU serves nearly 1,400 low-income residents in Chicago's south side community. In four years, the credit union has grown to more than $4.1 million in assets, and provides its members with savings and checking accounts, personal loans, low-cost payday alternative loans, car loans, financial education and counseling, matched-savings individual development accounts, and a growing youth credit union program.
North Side Community FCU receives grant. North Side Community Federal Credit Union was presented with a grant from the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI) during a visit from CDFI Fund director, Donna Gambrell. The grant will be used to support the expansion of the New Americans Loan Program and mortgage lending programs. In addition, a portion of the funds will be used to upgrade its technology and add online banking for its members.
CEO named to chamber board. Madeline Lipka, CEO of Community Trust CU, was recently sworn in as a board member of the Grayslake Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
CUNA Brokerage names "women of distinction." Two credit union financial advisors from Illinois, Jane Brockway, University of Illinois ECU, and Judy Evers, Baxter CU, were honored by CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc. as "Women of Distinction" to recognize their performance, value to their program, client service and overall contribution to the financial services industry and CUNA Brokerage Services. Qualifying financial advisors not only exemplified the characteristics of the award, but earned $250,000 or more in gross dealer concessions during 2008. Recipients will participate in a mentoring program offered through CUNA Brokerage Services to foster the growth of women who are new to the financial services industry.
Financial Counselor Designations Awarded. Congratulations to Lisa Kevin, North Star CU, and Allen Spengler, Abbott Laboratories ECU who recently earned their Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor (CCUFC) designation.
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.
New CEOs. Welcome to the following new CEOs of Illinois credit unions: Clifford Jacobs CU - Sandra McCall, Decatur Earthmover - Barry Schmidt, Imperial ECU - Dennis Fisher and SJH EFCU - Randal Carrigan.
New Name. Armstrong EFCU is now Armstrong Preferred Members FCU.
Grand Openings. The following credit unions recently opened new facilities: Air Line Pilots Association FCU in Burr Ridge, CARUS CU in Peru, Consumers Cooperative CU in Volo, Earthmover CU in Montgomery, Gunite ECU in Rockford, Pontiac-Dwight Prison ECU in Pontiac, Scott CU in Troy and SIU CU in Metropolis.
Retirement. Best wishes to Dave Walker, former CEO of Decatur Earthmover CU, who recently retired.
Passings. The credit union movement mourns the loss of Edgar F. Callahan, former National Credit Union Administration Chairman and Illinois regulator, and Jack Rogers, former field representative for the Illinois Credit Union League.