By Kimberly Cockrill, Publications Manager, Cornerstone Credit Union League 

As regulators continue to scrutinize rules affecting overdraft programs, having robust software that provides more efficient program management can help increase revenue. Learn how offering overdraft services provides a real solution for account holders works.

By Jan Southern, Senior Consultant 

While the overall number of consumer branch visits continues to decline nationally, there are still many instances where account holders prefer face-to-face advice on their financial transactions. This can be challenging for traditionally staffed institutions that are committed to maintaining efficiencies, while providing the best service possible. Learn how a staffing study will result in appropriate staffing levels and scheduling that can reduce personnel expenses and guarantee a better experience for your account holders … no matter how they access your services.

DELAYING ACTION UNTIL REGULATORS ISSUE NEW RULES NEGATIVELY IMPACTS MORE THAN YOU THINK

By Cheryl Lawson, Executive Vice President-Compliance Review

In an environment where interest rates are low – and few product and service options exist for generating revenue – uncertainty surrounding how regulators might rule on overdraft solutions is keeping many institutions from earning the fee income they need to maintain a strong bottom line and serve account holders’ needs. Learn how a fully-compliant overdraft program can provide substantial revenue gains for your institution, without adjusting fees. Otherwise, taking a wait-and-see approach will cost you potential income and improved service opportunities.

NEW AGREEMENT ADDS EXTENSIVE RECRUITMENT SOLUTIONS FOR CREDIT UNIONS

MADISON, Wis. (June 07, 2016) – CUNA Strategic Services (CSS) Inc., has announced an expansion of its strategic alliance agreement with John M. Floyd & Associates (JMFA) that will provide credit unions with access to highly qualified executive and senior management talent through JMFA Recruitment Services. This agreement expands the alliance between CSS and JMFA that dates back to 2003.

As speculation continues regarding what ruling may result from on-going regulatory review of overdraft services, some financial institutions are waiting on the sidelines to implement an overdraft program or upgrade their existing solution. Yet, at the same time, account holders continue to experience occasional financial shortfalls, and banks and credit unions continue to struggle to earn the revenue they need to fund new technology-based programs and services. Learn how a fully-disclosed overdraft program can provide consumers with a reliable financial safety net while giving financial institutions a fully-compliant source for non-interest income.

By Ron Jennings, Executive Vice President

According to Lou Holtz – renowned football  coach, analyst, author and motivational speaker –  “In this world you're either growing or you're dying so get in motion and grow.”  In today’s competitive business environment those words are just as true for financial institutions as they are for aspiring gridiron athletes.  Maintaining consistent, healthy growth often requires making changes to legacy processes and taking a hard look at how you address challenges and opportunities. Learn how assessing your institution’s foundation and implementing process improvements can enhance long-term growth. 

By Kelly Flynn

Too often, when financial institutions are dealing with economic challenges and uncertainty about how to maintain a strong bottom line, many resort to drastic cost-cutting measures that can adversely affect the work environment and account holder service levels. Learn how a professional review of your current vendor contracts can uncover savings opportunities, better service terms and possible bonus incentives – without your having to change service providers.

By: Mark Roe

Also featured on CB Insight

As consumer interest in mobile banking services increases, financial institutions are feeling pressure to implement technology-based strategies to keep up with the rapidly growing demand. But jumping into the mix without a solid internal structure in place to support the transition can be risky. Following are steps you can take to ensure your mobile strategy is successful for your account holders and a good investment for your institution’s future.

As financial institutions continue to look for ways to be successful, economic and regulatory challenges – along with new technologies and service initiatives – can cause leadership to rethink how time and resources should be spent. Learn how providing a proven, reliable financial safety net can strengthen account holder relationships and have a positive impact on your institution’s long-term performance.

By: Charles Shanley, SPHR, CFS
Also featured on CU Insight

As Baby Boomers continue to retire and the improving economy increases the availability of new job opportunities, the odds of losing long-term leadership or highly-skilled personnel are on the rise. For institutions that don’t have internal bench strength or ready access to qualified candidates to fill important open positions, the future could be challenging. Learn how building and maintaining a cost-effective internal training strategy and well-thought out succession plan can infuse your institution with the talent you need to succeed.

By Kelly Flynn, National Sales Director

While many financial institutions remain focused on addressing the migration of their credit and debit cards to new EMV security standards, they shouldn’t overlook the potential savings and service improvements they could get from their current card brand and processing contracts. The EMV migration process is expected to continue into 2017, however your institution can get started right away to uncover lower costs, possible signing incentives, and better account holder services with a professional review  and renegotiation of your existing credit and debit card vendor agreements.

By J. Keith Hughey, Senior Consultant

Generating revenue and growth are essential for maintaining stability for all financial institutions. But oftentimes, marketing resources are focused on attracting new prospects instead of capturing additional business from current account holders – even though conventional wisdom asserts that it costs far more to gain new business than to grow an existing relationship. Learn four strategic steps you can take to capture a greater share of wallet from your existing account holders and increase their level of loyalty to your institution.

By J. Keith Hughey, Senior Consultant

Regulations, cyber security, EMV migration, low interest rates, technology and competition. These are just a few of the issues concerning community-based financial institutions as they strive to be competitive or make the transition to becoming a larger institution. With all of that on their plates, I am nonetheless dismayed that one crucial area that lacks attention in an organization’s quest for success is how to maintain a level of leadership that is capable of guiding it for the long-term.

By Kelly Flynn, National Director

Staying on top of changing consumer demands remains one of the top challenges for financial institutions today. Whether it’s a mobile app that allows members to better manage their transactions; the ability to receive text/SMS notifications on transactions over a pre-determined amount or outside of a specified geographical area; implementing card tokenization or rolling out new pin and chip card technology with new Euro MasterCard/Visa (EMV) cards, offering new technology to account holders will most likely involve substantial costs.