In this week’s New York Minute, we’re informing you about our comments on FHFA’s request for input and giving you everything you need to know to attend the 2024 Emerging Credit Union Leaders Conference. Plus, this week, Association staff is attending the World Credit Union Conference, and TruStage educates us on the importance of integration in credit unions. Stay up to date on the latest New York credit union news in the New York Minute!
Association Joins America’s Credit Unions and Other State Leagues in Comment Letter to FHFA on Federal Home Loan Bank Mission
The Association has joined America’s Credit Unions and other state leagues to contribute comments on the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s (FHFA) Request for Input regarding the core mission activities of the Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLBs). The collective input stresses concerns about potential changes that could adversely impact credit unions, particularly regarding liquidity and innovative financial offerings. This feedback underscores the critical role that the FHLB plays in providing liquidity and supporting community development, which is vital for the continuity and effectiveness of credit unions in serving their communities.
For a full view of our collective comments, read the entire statement below!
Register Now: Emerging Credit Union Leaders Conference
Get ready to transform your managerial skills into visionary leadership qualities at the 2024 Emerging Credit Union Leaders Conference, sponsored by TruStage! This is the perfect opportunity for existing managers, supervisors, mid-level managers, young professionals, and aspiring leaders to advance their careers.
Location: Crowne Plaza Albany–The Desmond Hotel
Date: September 11-12
You’ll learn about evolving from managers to mentors, tackling leadership challenges, and enhancing your strategic communication. Our expert speakers, Mark Arnold and Shawn M. Temple from On the Mark Strategies, will guide you through the essentials of effective leadership and strategic thinking.
Don’t miss out on this chance to elevate your leadership journey. Register by August 30 and remember to use code 2024VIBE for $25 off your registration fee. Visit our Event Page for more details and to secure your spot. We can’t wait to welcome you to an event that promises to be both transformative and inspiring!
Association Staff Attend the 2024 World Credit Union Conference
This week, representatives from the Association attended the 2024 World Credit Union Conference in Boston, an event bringing together global credit union leaders. This annual conference, hosted by the World Council of Credit Unions in partnership with America’s Credit Unions, featured a series of sessions dedicated to innovation, leadership, and networking among financial services professionals.
Highlights included the Global Women’s Leadership Network Reception, a series of insightful general sessions, motivational keynote speakers, various lunch-and-learn opportunities, and interactive breakout sessions, all geared towards advancing the credit union mission worldwide. To learn more about this event, click below!
#ILoveMyCreditUnion Day is TOMORROW!
Get ready to flood your social media feeds for #ILoveMyCreditUnion Day with your stories, photos, and posts about why you cherish your credit union. This national campaign is a perfect opportunity to highlight the critical role credit unions play in building strong, supportive communities.
How to get involved:
- Share your story on social media using the hashtag “#ilovemycreditunion”
- Engage with others using the hashtag to spread the word
- Follow the official pages on Instagram and Facebook
Need last-minute inspiration? Check out the toolkit below!
The Power Of Integration: Simplifying Insurance For Credit Union Members
By Benjamin Weismer, Director, Product Innovation at TruStageTM
Insurance is a critical component of financial planning, helping provide peace of mind and security for families. For many, purchasing insurance seems daunting, but it doesn’t have to be.
Investing in an integration strategy could help streamline your members’ insurance buying journey, making it more accessible and user-friendly for your members. Let’s explore how.
The evolution of integration
In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, the financial industry is undergoing a significant transformation. As technology reshapes the way we live and work, credit unions recognize the need to adapt and embrace new strategies to meet the changing demands of their members. One such strategy gaining momentum is the integration of products and solutions through
Application Programming Interfaces (APIs).
Traditional distribution models for insurance were cumbersome and inefficient, presenting numerous barriers for potential policyholders. However, API integration enables financial institutions, including credit unions, to connect their systems and services with external partners, facilitating the seamless incorporation of products and solutions into existing platforms. Consequently, the industry is moving towards a B2B2C approach to enhance the customer experience. This shift allows credit unions to swiftly enhance member experiences, especially when partners can pre-integrate APIs into existing platforms.
APIs enable organizations to integrate the entire insurance journey seamlessly, which can allow for business growth and increasing the number of members protected. This includes everything from simple quoting and application processing to back-end tasks like documentation and payment collection. Previously complex processes have been simplified through APIs, allowing you to integrate them into your own experiences without handoffs.
Combined with a streamlined product set, this integration is designed to eliminate the need for case management or home office involvement, enabling real-time processing for both members and partners.
Integrating through technology
Leveraging technology is crucial in simplifying the insurance purchase journey for credit union members. In today’s competitive financial landscape, it’s essential for credit unions to continually innovate if they want to stay relevant and compete against larger financial institutions.
Implementing technology to automate and streamline processes can significantly enhance the member experience. For instance, by leveraging automated underwriting systems and simplifying application procedures, credit unions can make insurance more accessible and straightforward for their members. This approach not only improves efficiency but is also designed to enhance the overall satisfaction of members by reducing the time and effort required to obtain insurance.
Credit union leaders should focus on expanding existing partnerships, while also going out and cultivating new opportunities that can bring innovative solutions to their members. By doing so, they can ensure they are providing the most up-to-date and user-friendly services possible.
The benefits of integration for credit union members
Integration offers several benefits for credit union members. Firstly, it simplifies the process of accessing financial products and services. By integrating various offerings under one brand, credit unions can provide a seamless experience for their members, making it easier to navigate and understand the available options. This eliminates confusion and saves time for members, allowing them to make informed decisions about their financial needs. Additionally, integration enables credit unions to leverage digital capabilities, such as online platforms and APIs, to enhance the member experience. This means members can access and manage their accounts, apply for loans, and access other services conveniently and securely from their preferred devices. Overall, integration improves accessibility, convenience, and efficiency, ultimately enhancing the overall credit union member experience.
The commitment of senior leadership
The success of any strategy is heavily dependent on the commitment of senior leadership. Leadership support can play a crucial role in prioritizing the importance of digital transformations within an organization and ensuring they align with the evolving preferences and expectations of members. How credit unions plan to continually innovate for the future will remain top of mind. The key challenge and opportunity for credit unions in the future will be maintaining relevance with consumers at all stages of their lives and through offering seamless, customer-centric solutions.
Investing in integration is essential for credit unions aiming to simplify the insurance journey for their members. By embracing these technological advancements, credit union leaders can make a significant impact on their members’ financial well-being and overall experience.
TruStage™ Insurance products and programs are issued by CMFG Life Insurance Company, MEMBERS Life Insurance Company and other leading insurance companies. The insurance offered is not a deposit and is not federally insured, sold, or guaranteed by any financial institution. Product and features may vary and not be available in all states. All guarantees are based on the claims-paying ability of the insurer. Corporate Headquarters 5910 Mineral Point Road, Madison, WI 53705
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