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Dear Credit Union Community, Partners, and Valued Vendors, I’m excited to see you all at next month's 2024 Southeast Credit Union Conference & Expo (SCUCE). This event epitomizes the spirit of collaboration and innovation within our industry. SCUCE is always an enriching experience, with more than 1,000 attendees from more than 120 credit unions. Our event, which runs from June 12 - 14, features a comprehensive agenda to address the pressing challenges and emerging opportunities within the credit union sector. By participating, you will have the chance to connect with thought leaders, explore cutting-edge solutions, and return to your organization with fresh perspectives and actionable strategies. I’m particularly excited about our LEVERAGE Networking After Dark welcome party on Wednesday, June 12, from 8:00 - 11:00 p.m. in the Waldorf Astoria Grand Ballroom. This event is a time to unwind, enjoy live music by a new band called Black Jacket, and network in a relaxed atmosphere. Join us for drinks and engaging conversations about the future of the credit union industry and how LEVERAGE, along with our esteemed partners, can support your growth and success. SCUCE is not just about attending sessions; it's about being part of a dynamic community committed to making a positive impact. Your participation enriches the experience for all and strengthens the collective effort to drive innovation and excellence in the credit union space. Let’s make this SCUCE the most impactful yet. Register today, secure your spot, and prepare to ”Engage for Impact.” I look forward to seeing you in a couple of weeks! Warm regards, Steve Willis |
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Clean. Simple. Uncomplicated. These are not words typically associated with employee benefits, but at LEVERAGE Benefits Group, we've built our business around changing that experience for our clients. We’ve simplified a complicated process and will guide you personally every step of the way. Our mission is simple: Inspire. Deliver. Amaze. And that starts with making your life easier. Compliance Oversight Programs for Employees Keeping up with the ever-changing mandates of Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliance can be challenging. Understanding the complexities of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) laws is no small feat, and specific mandates can cost you monetary penalties if you do not comply. LEVERAGE Benefits Group can make compliance as easy as 1-2-3 with our pre-packaged COPE Solution. We’ve done all the work, navigated the changes, and will provide ongoing support to keep you and your company on track and compliant. Online Benefit Administration Our COPE package includes the use of our state-of-the-art billing and administration system. As your broker, we know your plans inside and out and build a paperless online enrollment system that includes every detail of your plan setup. Waiting periods, termination rules, disability benefit maximums, salary changes, and more are all automated within the system so you can focus on your business. Do you currently log into multiple websites to add one new employee? With LEVERAGE Benefits Group, you enter it once, and you’re done. Consolidated Invoicing Since we handle your enrollment administration, we are best equipped to audit each carrier bill and create one detailed consolidated invoice. You pay ONE premium—ONCE a month. At LEVERAGE Benefits Group, we’re here to simplify your processes, reduce costs, and improve the employee experience. Employee benefits made easy—that’s our promise. |
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By Opal Tomashevska, Director, Multicultural Business Strategy at TruStage™ Preparation is paramount for first-time homebuyers embarking on the journey of homeownership – especially for members of underserved populations and communities who may be the first in their families to purchase a home. Fortunately, credit unions are uniquely positioned to offer the extra attention and personal service that many first-time homebuyers require. But before they can do that, credit unions must ensure that all members can reach that point. Safeguard equal access Credit unions should understand the disparities that exist in homeownership and work to eliminate barriers for underserved populations and communities. The effects of discriminatory practices like redlining throughout the U.S. can still be felt in many communities, which is why equal access is so important for all members. Working toward equal access to homeownership is an extension of credit unions' core mission. Homeownership can be a key to building generational wealth. When families can begin building wealth through homeownership, communities thrive due to the economic stimulation and investment from enriched community members. There are resources to help credit unions ensure all their members receive the same opportunities in the pursuit of homeownership. For example, the Fair Housing Assistance Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), partners with various agencies that promote fair housing practices. You or your members who believe they’ve experienced housing discrimination can contact these agencies for assistance. A list of participating agencies is available on HUD's official website. Financial readiness is next Beyond ensuring your members have equal access to homeownership, one of the most import ways credit unions can help members is to focus on advising them about credit and finances since diligent financial preparation lays the foundation for a successful and fulfilling experience. Make sure your loan officers are covering all the important bases:
Resources to help you educate your members Being prepared and understanding the homebuying process can help foster a sense of confidence in first-time homebuyers and make the process less intimidating and more enjoyable for your members. One way to help members prepare for every step of the homebuying process is to share valuable information with them: · Readynest.com is Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation’s (MGIC’s) consumer website. It’s chock full of first-time homebuyer resources, such as tips for navigating the process, first-person stories that inform and inspire, and tools like affordability calculators. National Industry Standards for Homeownership Education and Counseling (NISHEC) ensures quality and consistency in homeownership education and counseling services, serving as a benchmark for excellence. NISCHEC provides a searchable database of organizations that have adopted these standards. Individuals can identify trusted service providers committed to upholding ethical practices and delivering up-to-date information. Preparing for the wave of future homebuyers With the U.S. population changing and people of color accounting for future growth, it’s important that credit unions build trust and a positive reputation by partnering with members on their homeownership journey. Together with their communities, credit unions can empower dreams and create enduring relationships, enriching each homeowner's journey and reinforcing the foundation of a solid community. To learn how you can ensure you’re helping your members to have equal access to homeownership, register for TruStageTM and MGIC’s upcoming webinar “Are YOU Prepared to Help Members Prepare for Homeownership?” on June 27 at 1:00 PM CT. Join us for this webinar to understand homeownership disparities and how you can help work to eliminate barriers in underserved populations and communities. Co-author: Irma Yepez Klassen, Director of Equitable Homeownership Strategy and Product Development at Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation TruStage is the marketing name for TruStage Financial Group, Inc., its subsidiaries, and affiliates. The company's headquarters are in Madison, Wis. © TruStage |
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As hurricane season approaches, ensuring your credit union is prepared for potential disasters is crucial. That’s where RecoveryPro comes in to help! We understand the importance of securing your operations, recovering critical data, and maintaining peace of mind during catastrophic events. Don’t wait until it’s too late—update your business continuity plan with RecoveryPro today. Analyze and Assess: Plan and Prepare: Validate and Maintain: RecoveryPro provides a comprehensive solution designed for proactive institutions like yours. With our expert guidance and resources, you can take control of your disaster preparedness and protection. With more than 20 years of business continuity experience and guidance from the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC), our program is fully vetted by multiple state and National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) auditors. Let us help you navigate disaster preparedness with features like: Ensure your credit union is ready for hurricane season and any other potential disasters with RecoveryPro—your business continuity and disaster recovery partner. Contact us at compliance@lscu.coop to get started today! |
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AI: A Leap Forward for Credit Unions Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become the talk of the town, and for good reason. As the world rapidly embraces this transformative technology, industries across the spectrum realize its potential to revolutionize operations, enhance customer experiences, and drive growth. The financial sector, and credit unions in particular, are no exception. At LEVERAGE, we recognize the importance of staying ahead of technological trends to serve our members and partners better. Here's why credit unions should embrace AI and a spotlight on four of our partners who are leading the charge in this domain: Why Credit Unions Should Use AI 1. Enhanced Member Experience 2. Improved Decision Making 3. Operational Efficiency 4. Fraud Detection and Security Partners Leading the AI Revolution CU NextGen is at the forefront of integrating AI into the credit union ecosystem. Their AI-powered solutions focus on enhancing member engagement and operational efficiency. By leveraging machine learning algorithms, CU NextGen helps credit unions personalize member interactions, predict financial needs, and streamline internal processes, ensuring a seamless and modern banking experience. Eltropy uses AI to transform how credit unions communicate with their members. Their platform utilizes AI-driven messaging to automate member interactions, ensuring timely and relevant responses. Eltropy's AI capabilities enable credit unions to engage members through their preferred communication channels, such as SMS, email, and social media, boosting member satisfaction and loyalty. Gupshup is a leader in conversational AI, providing credit unions with advanced chatbot solutions. Their AI-powered chatbots can handle various member inquiries, from account information to loan applications, offering instant and accurate responses. Gupshup's technology improves member experience and reduces the operational burden on credit union staff. Zest AI focuses on revolutionizing credit underwriting through AI. Using machine learning models, Zest AI provides credit unions with more accurate and inclusive credit scoring. Their technology allows for better risk assessment and fairer lending practices, enabling credit unions to serve a broader range of members while minimizing default risks. The future is bright for credit unions ready to harness the power of AI. Together, we can transform challenges into opportunities and ensure that credit unions remain at the forefront of innovation in the financial industry. If you’re interested in the power of AI, visit www.myleverage.com or contact a LEVERAGE Business Development Consultant at consult@myleverage.com. |