Your CUNAverse team is excited for the upcoming year and looking forward to several improvements that will make CUNAverse a better experience for you… beginning with this post.

Take a moment to view our slideshow for our top 10 New Years Resolutions for CUNAverse. We hope this level of transparency reinforces the genuine nature of this blog, our commitment to providing you with valuable insight on all things credit union, and sets the tone in your mind for what is already shaping up to be a fantastic year.

As always, we want to hear your feedback. What do you think? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

MADISON, Wis. (January 18, 2012) – The Credit Union National Association’s 2012 America’s Credit Union Conference will be held June 17 – 20, in San Diego, CA. Conference registration and housing is now open at acuc.cuna.org.

America’s Credit Union Conference is designed to connect progressive credit union leaders with like-minded business experts and action-inspiring ideas. Each year, ACUC features the industry’s top line up of business speakers.  Keynoting this year’s event in San Diego are business innovator and renowned author Tom Peters, USAF pilot and philanthropist Major Dan Rooney, and science-based marketer Sally Hogshead. For the second year, the conference will feature CUNA Mutual Group’s popular Discovery sessions.

“America’s Credit Union Conference is about activating excellence and propelling our credit union movement forward,” said Bill Cheney, President and CEO of CUNA. “This signature conference sparks inspiring leadership, big plans and positive change and look forward to this gathering of the movement’s leaders and visionary thinkers in San Diego this summer.”

CUNA Mutual Group’s Discovery breakout sessions are led by credit union experts and designed to help credit union leaders solve problems, capture opportunities and address current market challenges. The small session sizes foster networking opportunities and strong connections among attendees.

“We are pleased to once again partner with CUNA and offer our live Discovery sessions at the 2012 America’s Credit Union Conference,” said Jeff Post, President and CEO of CUNA Mutual. “Collaboration is a unique trait that differentiates credit unions from other financial institutions and helps make our movement stronger. ACUC’s energetic atmosphere and focus on a successful future for credit unions as a natural fit for our Discovery sessions.”

The 2012 ACUC also offers impactful Thought Leader sessions, an exclusive Executive Series for CEOs, one of the largest exhibit halls in the industry, networking and guest programs to enjoy San Diego.

Additional speakers, session topics and programs will be announced in the weeks to come. For more information and to register, please go to acuc.cuna.org.

MADISON, Wis. (January 17, 2012)—CUNA recently launched its National Credit Union Youth Week™ online store  and is providing early bird prices for credit unions. Youth Week will be celebrated April 22-28, 2012.

Through March 9, credit unions can save 10% on print materials to promote the “Be a Credit Union Super Saver™” theme and events, financial education materials to introduce money concepts to youth, fun items to reward young savers and apparel to dress the part in April. Discounts of up to 10% apply to standard items in inventory and bulk or customized orders.

“We’re excited to continue helping credit unions celebrate their young members and promote financial education,” says Joanne Sepich, CUNA’s Youth Week coordinator. “Youth Week is a great time to get youth into good saving habits that can last a lifetime.”

Credit unions can also choose to participate in the nationwide Saving Challenge, in which hundreds of credit unions track youth savings deposits during the month of April. CUNA will award $100 cash prizes to youth at 10 of the participating credit unions.

“Participating in the Saving Challenge is a great way for individual credit unions to raise awareness about the importance of financial responsibility and the benefits of credit union membership on a national scale,” adds Sepich. “Last year, participating credit unions reported more than 9000 new accounts and savings deposits of $28.5 million. This is a prime opportunity to increase member involvement.”

For Youth Week and throughout April, credit unions can outfit staff in Super Saver two-color imprint T-shirts in adult and youth sizes. Credit unions save on the upgraded tee and can both select the color and customize by adding the credit union name. Available in five colors, the shirt features the Credit Union Super Saver dollar sign logo highlighted by a yellow lightning bolt across its front.

“Although the price of cotton is about double what it was two years ago, we’ve found a great shirt with a two-color imprint for less than you’ll find a one-color imprint,” explains Sepich. “We know that credit unions are looking for value these days, and these shirts are just one of the many cost-effective and visually impactful ways to celebrate Youth Week.”

Also new for this year’s Youth Week, the online store builds upon the International Credit Union Day store design. Improved product categories support enhanced item browsing and easier site navigation.

For updates on Youth Week, credit union staff may sign up for a free e-newsletter and visit cuna.org/youthweek.

MADISON, Wis. (January 13, 2012) –Registration and school information is now available for the upcoming 2012 CUNA Economics & Investments Conference, August 12-15, 2012 in Chicago, IL.  For conference and registration information visit training.cuna.org/eic.

The CUNA Economics & Investments Conference gives credit union professionals an in-depth look at today’s national economic landscape and tomorrow’s economic future. Well-respected CUNA economic experts, Bill Hampel and Mike Schenk, will dive deep into the hard facts and numbers of the U.S. economy and explain what the nitty-gritty details of the economy mean, why they are important and how they will impact credit unions in the coming fiscal year. After attending this three day conference, credit union professionals will have the knowledge and skills needed to make better informed strategic planning decisions.

Attendees will hear CUNA’s leading economists speak on:

• The key players that shape the U.S. economy
• The practical tools for managing credit union finances
• Investment strategies that will keep credit unions competitive
• Asset-liability management techniques
• The current regulatory issues affecting credit unions today
• And more

“Every year our highly regarded economists Bill Hampel and Mike Schenk draw large crowds to hear their insights into today’s economic realities and tomorrow’s economic outlook ,” said Kevin Smith, Director of Volunteer Education at CUNA.  “The CUNA Economics & Investments Conference is a uniquely engaging and provides speakers and content not available at other conferences. Over the course of three intensive days, credit union professionals will get an entire year’s worth of credit union specific economic information that they can then use to build their strategic plans and map out their future business initiatives.”

The CUNA CFO Council is offering scholarships,up to $2,500, for qualifying credit unions attending the CUNA Economics & Investments Conference. The deadline to apply is July 9, 2012. More information can be found here.

For more information about the CUNA Economics & Investments Conference and to register, visit training.cuna.org/eic.

MADISON, Wis. (January 9, 2012)– CUNA is pleased to announce that the Wisconsin Governor’s Council on Financial Literacy has named Money Mission LLC a recipient of the 2011 Wisconsin Financial Literacy Award. Money Mission, along with other recipients, was recognized for its efforts to improve the collective knowledge of personal finance among Wisconsin citizens.

Money Mission is an interactive, web-based simulation designed to educate young adults about the fundamentals of personal finance. It is not a series of tutorials, but rather an engaging and entertaining journey built from the most basic concepts of value and money through complex issues such as taxes, inflation and globalism.

“Financial education is a core operating principle of credit unions, and one that state and federal lawmakers pay close attention to,” said Bill Cheney, CUNA president/CEO. “Projects like Money Mission increase awareness of credit unions and their values, and demonstrate credit unions’ commitment to the community and long-term financial health of their members.”

Money Mission and the other recipients were selected from 45 nominations submitted for consideration. Criteria used in the screening process included innovative implementation, demonstrated measureable results, collaboration with partners, whether the effort was statewide or had the potential to be statewide and whether the effort was focused on needs-based groups.

“We are honored that Money Mission has been recognized for its educational efforts by the Governor’s Council on Financial Literacy and by the state of Wisconsin,” says Jan Garkey, manager of group instruction at CUNA. “Every day we enjoy helping teens become financially responsible citizens.”

“The recipients of the Wisconsin Financial Literacy Award are helping Wisconsinites of all ages improve their personal finance skills in our schools, in the workplace and in communities across the state,” says Governor Scott Walker. “These citizen leaders equip students, parents, peers and consumers with the necessary tools to make informed decisions about their own money, which improves individual quality of life, as well as the Wisconsin economy.”

The results of Money Mission have been measured by the degree of participation and engagement. Almost 30 credit unions in Wisconsin participate, and nearly 4,000 students in over 40 states have signed on for Money Mission in just over a year of operation. The program is available through credit unions nationwide and is accessible to any interested participant. Further, the initiative has helped several students realize their college dreams through its scholarship awards.

“More information about Money Mission can be found here, or by emailing Jan Garkey.”

Every year, CUNA schools and conferences provide credit union professionals around the country with updates on pressing industry topics and regulations. From compliance and collections to marketing departments and board volunteers, the 2012 CUNA schools and conferences offer credit union specific education for every position. Programs are designed to showcase leading experts in their field and provide attendees with take away strategies to use at their credit unions to boost membership, streamline efficiency and strengthen their business and financial institution as a whole. Attendees will also have the opportunity to network with other credit union professionals from around the country.

Many 2012 CUNA conferences also offer opportunities for educational advancement such as CPE credits, certifications, designations, graduate degrees and awards for credit union excellence. These titles are recognized throughout the credit union movement as distinctions for both job competence and career professionalism.

Get a sneak peak at a few of the upcoming CUNA spring conferences:

CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference
March 18-22 • Washington D.C.

CUNA Consumer & Residential Mortgage Lending School
April 2-5 • Orlando, FL

CUNA CU Finance for Non-Financial Managers & Volunteers
April 22-25 • Orlando, FL

CUNA Regulatory Compliance Schools
April 22-27 • Orlando, FL

CUNA Marketing Management Schools
April 30 – May 3 • Las Vegas, NV

View a complete listing of the 2012 CUNA Schools and Conferences and learn more about the educational opportunities available from CUNA.