Southeast Regional Credit Union Schools (SRCUS) is pleased to announce that 42 credit union executives recently graduated from the Southeast CUNA Management School.

Since 1971, the Southeast CUNA Management School has equipped graduates with the skills and knowledge to meet the leadership challenges that arise in the credit union industry. The curriculum develops students’ operational, managerial and leadership abilities. Over the course of this three-year program, students receive advanced academic instruction on a variety of topics including management, leadership, and financial analysis. Students also apply the knowledge gained from the on-site sessions to projects that require strategic analysis of their credit unions and research of relevant issues facing the credit union industry.

In addition to a rigorous academic curriculum, the Southeast CUNA Management School provides students the opportunity to develop their leadership capabilities and better understand the credit union philosophy so that they can contribute to the success of their credit unions and to the movement as a whole. In the true credit union spirit of “people helping people”, the Class of 2015 participated in a volunteer outreach effort with the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia, where they recovered nearly 3 tons of food and nonfood product for families in need in Northeast Georgia.

Upon successful completion of the program, students received a graduation diploma issued in conjunction with the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education. Graduation from the Southeast CUNA Management School is recognized throughout the credit union industry as a prestigious mark of achievement. For more information on the Southeast CUNA Management School, visit www.srcus.org/management.

Graduates from the Southeast CUNA Management School Class of 2015 include:

Florida

• David Carnall, 1st Credit Union of Gainesville
• Paula Tuten, FL Rural Electric CU

Georgia

• Derrick Leaphart, Credit Union of Georgia
• Melany Ward, Ethicon CU
• Danielle Cegelis, Georgia’s Own CU
• Shannon Hoffman, Georgia’s Own CU
• Marcia Tidmore, Georgia Power NW FCU
• Jennifer Fiorenza, Mutual Savings CU
• Phillip Redmond, Peach State FCU

Kentucky

• Jan Blevins, Ashland CU
• Angela Kring, Commonwealth CU
• Michelle Short, Members Choice CU

Louisiana

• Nichole Dupuy, Ascension CU
• Laura Hawthorne, Centric FCU
• Robert Mayfield, Fleur De Lis FCU
• Jodi Lee, Neighbors FCU
• Cassie Theriot, Section 705 FCU

Michigan

• Jeanell Felske, Metro Shores CU
• Jackeline Thebo, Michigan One Community CU

Mississippi

• Vernon Clevenger, Central Sunbelt FCU
• Sara Aucoin, Credit Union South
• Holly Walker, Memorial FCU
• April Davidson, Muna FCU
• John Parks, Statewide FCU

North Carolina

• Michelle McGee, Carolina Postal CU
• Lynn Pinter, Champion CU
• Misty Fisher, Lion’s Share FCU
• Sallie Haymore, Marine FCU
• Melissa Preston, Summit CU

South Carolina

• Chase Clelland, Grow Financial FCU
• Ronald Davis, Lakelands FCU
• Marcus Rhymer, Latitude 32 CU
• Brian Crocke, Palmetto  Citizens FCU
• Travis Barbare, SC Telco FCU
• Stephanie Ownby, South Carolina FCU
• Joshua Taylor, SRP FCU

Tennessee

• Aaron Duffy, Appalachian Community FCU
• William House, Dupont Community CU
• Patty Hemmingsen, Fort Campbell FCU

Virginia

• Fondu Conteh, Belvoir FCU
• Courtney Rose, Belvoir FCU
• Theresa  Shifflett, NSWC FCU

Southeast Regional Credit Union Schools (SRCUS) is proud to announce that Dr. Craig Piercy has been engaged as Academic Advisor for the Southeast CUNA Management School. In this role, Dr. Piercy will oversee curriculum design, coordinate faculty recruitment, and assist with program evaluation and development. Craig is a longtime supporter of the credit union movement and has been involved with SRCUS for several years behind the scenes to support the CU Simulation program. He served as an instructor at the SE CUNA Management School in 2014 and 2015.

Dr. Piercy received his Master of Business Administration and Ph.D. in Management Sciences from The Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia. He currently serves as the Director of the Master of Internet Technology Program at the University of Georgia, as well as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Management of Information Systems.

SRCUS is also pleased to announce the addition of two new positions to the Southeast CUNA Management School team: program coordinator and student liaison/public relations coordinator.

Courtney Aldrich will serve as Program Coordinator, with responsibilities for the overall program administration and on-site management of the school. Aldrich brings over 17 years of higher education experience managing career services, alumni relations, fund raising, development, major events and mentoring programs to this new role.

Jennifer Green will serve as Student Liaison/PR Coordinator, and will be responsible for all public relations and marketing activities of the school, as well as ongoing communications with students. Green has been in the credit union industry since 2002 and has extensive knowledge of credit union operations, including specialized certifications in compliance and financial counseling.

“SRCUS is committed to continuous program improvement to meet the ever-changing needs of today’s credit union professionals, and we’re excited about the knowledge and experience our new staff members will bring to the program,” explained Tom McWilliams, chairman of the SRCUS Advisory Committee.  “Since its establishment in 1970, the SE CUNA Management School has provided a top-notch educational experience for credit union professionals and it just keeps getting better each year.”

Giving back to the community is a way of life for credit unions, and during this year’s Southeast CUNA Management School, third-year students took a break from the academic rigors of the program to put credit unions’ “people helping people” philosophy into action.

Thirty-eight volunteers from the Southeast Regional Credit Union Schools (SRCUS) management program spent an afternoon diligently sorting retail salvage and reclaimed (recovered) 3 tons of product at the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia (FBNEGA) in Athens, Georgia.  The student’s endeavor is presently helping to feed food-insecure families in the fourteen counties in northeast Georgia. Currently, there are over 100,000 food-insecure individuals in the Northeast Georgia area.

“In addition to the intense academic instruction we receive at SRCUS on operational and technical issues, we also spend time exploring how credit unions really are different and why we have such strong ties to our local communities,” explained Vernon Clevenger, President of the Class of 2015 and Executive Vice President of Central Sunbelt Federal Credit Union in Laurel, MS. “Helping people is what we do every day, and it was a very meaningful experience to work side by side with such a great group of credit union volunteers from around the country to give back to the Athens community.”

Last year, FBNEGA volunteers contributed in excess of 38,000 labor hours (the equivalent of 20-21 fulltime employees).  With the energies and support of volunteers and the community, such as those from SRCUS, the Food Bank distributed 12 million pounds of food last year.
“The mission of the Food Bank is to work toward ending hunger as an overall community effort to alleviate poverty, and SRCUS is assisting us in fulfilling that mission,” said Bill Taylor, Lead Volunteer Coordinator at the food bank. “The Food Bank NEGA appreciates all the work and support of SRCUS, and we look forward to their help again in the near future.”

Registration for the 2016 session of the Southeast CUNA Management School, the premier learning opportunity for credit union professionals in the southeast, is now open.

The school is being held from Friday, June 10 to Friday, June 17, 2016, at the University of Georgia Hotel & Conference Center, 1197 South Lumpkin Street, Athens, GA. Classes will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 10, 2016; students should plan to arrive on campus to check in between 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

The Southeast CUNA Management School’s mission is to provide students with the skills and knowledge to meet the leadership challenges that arise in the credit union industry. Over the course of this three-year program, students receive advanced academic instruction on a variety of topics including management, leadership, and financial analysis. Students also apply the knowledge gained from the on-site sessions to projects that require strategic analysis of their credit unions and research of relevant issues facing the credit union industry.  Upon successful completion of the program, students received a graduation diploma issued in conjunction with the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education. Graduation from the Southeast CUNA Management School is recognized throughout the credit union industry as a prestigious mark of achievement. Tuition is $1,695 for the 2016 session if paid prior to May 2, 2016; tuition for registrations received after this date is $1,895.

To register, please click here to complete your registration online.  If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Tom McWilliams at (800) 748-8627, ext. 310 or tmcwilliams@mscua.com.

All class schedules for our upcoming SE CUNA Management School have been posted online and available here (revised 3/14/2016). As in years past, the week will be packed with engaging courses taught by some of the industry’s top educators. Both new and returning students should review the schedule and plan travel accordingly. Please plan to check-in at the Conference Registration Desk between 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.; lunch will be served from 12:00-1:00p.m. followed by Orientation and class meetings at 1:00pm on Friday, June 10.

If you are planning to attend this summer and have not yet registered, please register soon. The registration fee increases from $1,695 to $1,895 for registrations received after 5/1/2016. Click here to register online. If you have not already done so, make sure you check with your state league to inquire about possible scholarship opportunities.

We have negotiated group rates at our host property, the Georgia Center, and the hotel has reserved different sized and priced hotel rooms for our group including classic rooms furnished with one queen bed on up to multi-roomed suites. Prices range from $114 – $409 plus 7% tax per night.  All rooms include complimentary WiFi as well as one parking pass, per room, per night. Photos and details on room types can be found at ugahotel.com. Utilizing the Georgia Center’s hotel for your overnight accommodations supports our event and allows us to continue to provide you with a quality program at a reasonable price.

Giving back to the community is a way of life for credit unions, and participating in a meaningful service project has become a tradition for graduating third year students in the Southeast CUNA Management School program, This year, students will take a break from the academic rigors of the program to put credit unions’ “people helping people” philosophy into action by serving at the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia (FBNEGA) in Athens, Georgia on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. The FBNEGA mission is to ”work toward ending hunger as part of an overall community effort to alleviate poverty.” There are roughly 2 million individuals who are food-insecure in the state of Georgia and of that group, 82,000 live in the area of service for the food bank. This year, SRCUS students will help feed food-insecure families in the fourteen counties in northeast Georgia and will support the food bank in their effort to end hunger in the communities they serve.

For more information on the food bank, please visit http://www.foodbanknega.org/.

More than 150 credit union professionals will gather at the University of Georgia today for the 2016 session of Southeast CUNA Management School, which will run through Friday, June 17 at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education in Athens, Georgia. The school is hosted by Southeast Regional Credit Union Schools (SRCUS) in partnership with the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) and the mission of the program is to provide students with the skills and knowledge to meet the leadership challenges that arise in the credit union industry.

During the opening keynote address, industry thought leader Mike Kelly will deliver an energetic, status-quo challenging romp through what’s happening in the credit union industry, the drivers behind it and how to align strategy and teams for success. Mike will help attendees understand that succeeding in today’s market isn’t necessarily a credit union challenge – it’s a leader’s challenge, and the leaders that can bridge yesterday to tomorrow each day will help their teams feel good about moving in a new direction while still feeling like their value proposition is relevant.

Over the course of the program, students will participate in lectures and class exercises covering a variety of topics including business development and communication, risk management, strategic planning, financial analysis, and leadership. Successful completion requires that students participate in courses on campus over a three-year period, development a comprehensive project, and writing and presenting a whitepaper on a relevant industry topic. Graduates of the Southeast CUNA Management School consistently continue on to top leadership positions in the credit union industry.

Not all learning at the Southeast CUNA Management School takes place in the classroom, and students recently participated in a variety of outdoor challenge activities designed to promote teamwork, self-confidence, leadership, and the expansion of their problem solving abilities.

Second-year students took to the “high ropes” course at the UGA Challenge Course and navigated their teams through elements comprised of cables, logs and ropes, building courage and confidence throughout the day as the challenges increased in complexity. First-year students participated in the “low ropes” challenges where they used critical thinking skills and teamwork to navigate complex challenges and solve problems, with the concluding activity consisting of getting students over a 12-foot wall without the use of stairs, ladders, ropes, or other assistance.

“It was amazing to watch the transformations that took place in both the individual students and the team dynamics out on the course throughout the day. We witnessed students’ self-confidence increase as they stepped out of their comfort zones and accomplished things they never would have even attempted without the encouragement of their teammates,” explained Jennifer Green, SRCUS Student Liaison. “The ropes course has been a highlight of our program for many years because students see the results – increased self-esteem, group cohesion, and leadership, just to name a few– right away. And they can easily see how these skills will transfer into their daily work back at their credit unions.”

The Southeast CUNA Management School is a three-year program for credit union leaders. The program is sponsored by the Southeast Regional Credit Union Schools (SRCUS), and over the course of the program, students participate in lectures and class exercises covering a variety of topics including business development and communication, risk management, strategic planning, financial analysis, and leadership. Successful completion requires that students participate in courses on campus over a three-year period, development a comprehensive project, and writing and presenting a whitepaper on a relevant industry topic. Graduates of the Southeast CUNA Management School consistently continue on to top leadership positions in the credit union industry.

Southeast Regional Credit Union Schools (SRCUS) is pleased to announce that 44 credit union executives recently graduated from the Southeast CUNA Management School.

Since 1971, the Southeast CUNA Management School has equipped graduates with the skills and knowledge to meet the leadership challenges that arise in the credit union industry. The curriculum develops students’ operational, managerial and leadership abilities. Over the course of this three-year program, students receive advanced academic instruction on a variety of topics including management, leadership, and financial analysis. Students also apply the knowledge gained from the on-site sessions to projects that require strategic analysis of their credit unions and research of relevant issues facing the credit union industry.

In addition to a rigorous academic curriculum, the Southeast CUNA Management School provides students the opportunity to develop their leadership capabilities and better understand the credit union philosophy so that they can contribute to the success of their credit unions and to the movement as a whole. In the true credit union spirit of “people helping people”, the Class of 2016 participated in a volunteer outreach effort with the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia, where they recovered nearly 1.5 tons of food for families in need in Northeast Georgia. The Class of 2016 also made a $1,000 financial gift to the food bank, which translates to 8,000 meals for families in need.

Upon successful completion of the program, students received a graduation diploma issued in conjunction with the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education. Graduation from the Southeast CUNA Management School is recognized throughout the credit union industry as a prestigious mark of achievement. For more information on the Southeast CUNA Management School, visit www.srcus.org/management.

Graduates from the Southeast CUNA Management School Class of 2016 include:

Alabama

• Nathan Clough, WinSouth Credit Union

Florida

• Bradley Hayes, Community Credit Union of Florida
• Brenda Woolum, Central Credit Union of Florida

Georgia

• Zana Bramlett, Associated Credit Union
• Barbara Burkett, Georgia’s Own Credit Union
• Arletta Craw, Kinetic Credit Union
• Shannon Davis, Peach State Federal Credit Union
• Shelly Day, Health Center Credit Union
• Ryan Hawk, Peach State Federal Credit Union
• Ian Kijanski, Excel Federal Credit Union
• Sean Leavell, Georgia’s Own Credit Union
• Stephen Sainz, Southeastern Credit Union
• Andrew Starcher, SRP Federal Credit Union
• Heiwote Tadesse, Associated Credit Union

Indiana

• Andrea Johnson, Heritage Federal Credit Union
• Renee Sanders, Purdue Federal Credit Union

Kentucky

• Perry Blake, Members Choice Credit Union

Louisiana

• Robyn Blaylock, Monroe Telco Federal Credit Union
• Tobisha Bullock, CAANO Employees Federal Credit Union
• Charolette Harrell, Heart of LA Federal Credit Union
• Billy Joiner, Centric Federal Credit Union
• Melanie Riedl, University of Louisiana Federal Credit Union
• Christina Viso, Neighbors Federal Credit Union

Mississippi

• Erik Kampmann, Central Sunbelt Federal Credit Union
• Joseph Lamberth, MUNA Federal Credit Union
• Alison Lynd, Coastal Credit Union
• Greg Oprel, Mississippi Federal Credit Union
• Leslie Pitts, Ferguson Federal Credit Union

North Carolina

• Garland Poindexter, Allegacy Federal Credit Union
• Marc Trull, Champion Credit Union

New York

• Karrie Morse, First Heritage Federal Credit Union

South Carolina

• Tina Farris, Family Trust Federal Credit Union
• Allison Beckham, ArrowPointe Federal Credit Union
• Kaitlin Grooms, Greenville Federal Credit Union
• Travis Hall, South Carolina National Guard Federal Credit Union
• Tavis Johnson, Family Trust Federal Credit Union
• Angela Laffoday, Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union
• Kevin Langford, GK Credit Union

Tennessee

• Chris Boler, ORNL Federal Credit Union
• Kim Gunter, Bowater Employees Credit Union
• Donya Johnson, Nashville Firemen’s Credit Union

Virginia

• Daniel Elston, BayPort Credit Union
• Donna Kelly, NSWC Federal Credit Union
• Paul Pemberton, Freedom First Credit Union

About SRCUS:
Southeast Regional Credit Union Schools (SRCUS) is a collaboration of eight southeastern credit union leagues, including the Carolinas Credit Union League, Georgia Credit Union Affiliates, Kentucky Credit Union League, League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates, Louisiana Credit Union League, Mississippi Credit Union Association, Tennessee Credit Union League, and

Virginia Credit Union League. Through collaboration with CUNA and Affiliates, the first SRCUS Management School was established in 1970. Since the school’s formation it has graduated over 1,100 credit union management professionals from 21 states and the District of Columbia. In addition to the management school, SRCUS also hosts an annual Director’s Conference, which provides a full range of informative educational sessions about critical issues important to today’s ever-changing financial industry for credit union directors and committee members. For more information, visit www.srcus.org.

July 5, 2016 — The Southeast Regional Credit Union Schools (SRCUS) organization is pleased to announce that Chris Boler has been awarded the 2016 Hugh Watson award at this year’s session of the Southeast CUNA Management School. Selected by vote of his classmates, Boler received this award as a result of his leadership and exceptional contribution to the class as a whole over the three years of SRCUS. He is an outstanding role model and mentor to his peers. Chris, a 2016 graduate of the Southeast CUNA Management School, currently serves as the President of ORNL FCU’s Credit Union Service Organization, CU Community, LLC (CUC).

Two years ago, SRCUS instituted the “Hugh Watson Award” to recognize an outstanding third year student and to honor the retirement of Hugh Watson from SRCUS. Watson joined the SRCUS faculty in 1971 and during his tenure, he taught in all 3 years, served as academic coordinator and facilitated the 3rd year simulation for 43 years. Upon his retirement from SRCUS, the Hugh Watson Award was created to honor the 3rd year student whose service to SRCUS has been closest to that exemplified by Dr. Hugh Watson.

Pictured above: Dr. Craig Piercy, SRCUS Academic Advisor and Chris Boler, 2016 Hugh Watson Award recipient

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About SRCUS:
Southeast Regional Credit Union Schools (SRCUS) is a collaboration of eight southeastern credit union leagues, including the Carolinas Credit Union League, Georgia Credit Union Affiliates, Kentucky Credit Union League, League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates, Louisiana Credit Union League, Mississippi Credit Union Association, Tennessee Credit Union League, and Virginia Credit Union League. Through collaboration with CUNA and Affiliates, the first SRCUS Management School was established in 1970. Since the school’s formation it has graduated over 1,100 credit union management professionals from 21 states and the District of Columbia. In addition to the management school, SRCUS also hosts an annual Director’s Conference, which provides a full range of informative educational sessions about critical issues important to today’s ever-changing financial industry for credit union directors and committee members. For more information, visit www.srcus.org.

July 7, 2016 — A whitepaper discussing the positives and negatives of credit union mergers has been published by the Southeast Regional Credit Union Schools (SRCUS). The paper was authored by a team of third-year students in the SE CUNA Management School program comprised of Nathan Clough, WinSouth Credit Union (Gadsden, AL); Kim Gunter, Bowater Employees Credit Union (Calhoun, TN); Ryan Hawk, Peach State Federal Credit Union (Lawrenceville, GA); and Billy Joiner, Centric Federal Credit Union (West Monroe, LA). Completion of the written project and an oral presentation of the research report is a prerequisite for graduation from the program. This team of students received recognition at the 2016 SE CUNA Management School graduation ceremonies last month for their exceptional work on both the written paper and their oral presentation.

Current merger trends, which have led to the steady decline in total institutions and the surging average asset size, represent a paradigm shift within the credit union industry. Many factors have converged to initiate and sustain this irreversible development, and numerous uncertainties about the movement’s future remain. In this report, “An Old Foundation Anchors a Renovated Structure: Perceptions and Realities Surrounding Credit Union Mergers,” authors explore the positive impact that mergers and consolidations can have on the credit union industry when properly executed and approached in a collaborative manner rather than as a corporate annexation.

In addition to a discussion of the positives and negatives of credit union mergers, the report shares new research conducted by CUNA’s Market Research department with a group of credit union members whose institutions had previously been merged, and the results begin to give us some insight to the relationship that exists between consolidations and the member experience.

The authors posit that opportunity abounds as credit union push forward into the great unknown. And this opportunity that stands before the industry is in many ways itself a product of the existing consolidation explosion. As credit unions have come together to create scale, they have created cost advantages and have amplified the operational efficiencies with which they operate, which has increased income and allowed more capacious credit unions to spend more on advertising and brand recognition. As these larger credit unions approach equal footing with some of their banking counterparts, they possess opportunities to brand themselves as a caring disrupter and increase their wallet share relative to their members’ financial products.

To access a complimentary copy of the white paper, please visit www.srcus.org/management-school/student-white-papers/.

A whitepaper discussing the future of credit union branches has been published by the Southeast Regional Credit Union Schools (SRCUS). The paper was authored by a team of third-year students in the SE CUNA Management School program comprised of Tobisha Bullock, CAANO Employees Federal Credit Union (New Orleans, LA); Kaitlin Grooms, Greenville Federal Credit Union (Greenville, SC); Alison Lynd, Coastal Credit Union (Biloxi, MS); Melanie Riedl, University of Louisiana Federal Credit Union (Lafayette, LA); and Andrew Starcher, SRP Federal Credit Union (North Augusta, SC). Completion of the written project and an oral presentation of the research report is a prerequisite for graduation from the program. This team of students received recognition at the 2016 SE CUNA Management School graduation ceremonies last month for exceptional work on their whitepaper.

Many credit unions are in the process of evaluating their current branch model and determining if a change is needed and what their course of action will be to ensure their viability long term. What will the credit union branch of the future look like? In this report, “The Branch of the Future,” authors explore popular new branch model concepts and ideas that financial institutions are implementing, including removing the teller line barrier, exploring video teller technology, employing a universal teller, and marketing to the millennial generation.

Growing organizations are quickly arriving at a crossroad where they need to make a decision soon. They need to determine if they want to continue to put resources towards their current branch model and culture or decide to implement updated solutions to attract more memberships, retain existing members, and deepen relationships all the while tightening efficiencies.

As team member Kaitlyn Grooms explains, “Determining how your credit union will survive in the future is critical to the success of your organization. Time is ticking. It is too late to think that the old branch model that has been around for a century designed before computers and the internet will continue to work for your organization.”

To access a complimentary copy of the white paper, please visit www.srcus.org/management-school/student-white-papers/.

Join peers from credit union boards across the Southeast for two-and-a-half days of education designed for credit unions’ volunteer leaders. The 2017 Southeast Director’s Conference, set for July 16-19, 2017, features a full range of informative sessions on critical, timely issues, with first-rate speakers to address the economy, lending environment, and much more.

The Southeast Regional Directors’ Conference is designed for credit union directors and committee members. The conference location rotates among the ten Southeastern states, giving each state an opportunity to host their fellow credit union volunteers and showcase the best of what their state has to offer. This conference features a full range of informative educational sessions that provide a conduit for learning about critical issues important to today’s ever-changing financial industry.

For more information, contact Tom McWilliams, CUDE, CMP, CCUE, MSCUA Senior VP
tmcwilliams@mscua.com or 800-748-8627 ext. 310

A whitepaper discussing the implementation of EMV (Europay, MasterCard, and Visa) technology in the United States has been published by the Southeast Regional Credit Union Schools (SRCUS). The paper was authored by a team of third-year students in the SE CUNA Management School program comprised of Allison Beckham, ArrowPointe FCU (Lancaster, SC); Robyn Blaylock, Monroe Telco FCU (Monroe, LA); Tina Farris, Family Trust FCU (Rock Hill, SC); and Kevin Langford, Georgetown Kraft CU (Georgetown, SC). Completion of the written project and an oral presentation of the research report is a prerequisite for graduation from the program. This team of students received recognition at the 2016 SE CUNA Management School graduation ceremonies in June for exceptional work on their whitepaper.

EMV has come to the United States after being used in Europe for 2 decades. It promises reduced fraud and increased protection for both consumers and financial institutions. With fraud reaching record numbers in the recent years, a better solution for protection seems to be something that both consumers and financial institutions would be eager to adopt, but it has not been widely accepted. In this report, “EMV: Is it worth the cost?”, authors explore the reasons consumers and financial institutions alike have not bought into the technology and if the upgrade of cards is worth what it costs.

The paper provides a thorough overview EMV and the technology that makes it work, and concludes with a discussion of the pros and cons of implementation. Although the cost and ease of use raise serious issues for financial institutions who are going to upgrade and gives a good starting point for those who oppose, the authors posit that the pros do outweigh the cons.

As team member Tina Farris explains, “Scammers are constantly trying to find new ways to steal money. As the financial industry continues to progress into the 21st century, the EMV card is a huge step into the right direction for consumers. The initial implementation cost to the industry is huge; but overall, the impactwill minimize fraud losses for consumers and financial institutions. As technology continues to grow, it will be important for the financial industry to continue investing and developing new ways to stay ahead of the criminals. The EMV chip card is a step in the right direction.”

To access a complimentary copy of the white paper, please visit www.srcus.org/management-school/student-white-papers/.

A whitepaper discussing remote deposit capture (RDC) has been published by the Southeast Regional Credit Union Schools (SRCUS). The paper was authored by a team of third-year students in the SE CUNA Management School program comprised of Barbara Burkett, Georgia’s Own Credit Union (Atlanta, GA); Dan Elston, BayPort Credit Union (Newport News, VA); Shelly Day, Health Center Credit Union (Evans, GA); and Sean Leavell, Georgia’s Own Credit Union (Atlanta, GA). Completion of the written project and an oral presentation of the research report is a prerequisite for graduation from the program. This team of students received recognition at the 2016 SE CUNA Management School graduation ceremonies earlier this year for exceptional work on their whitepaper.

RDC is a service that allows a user to scan checks remotely and transmit the scanned images and/or ACH-data to a bank for posting and clearing (Remote Deposit Capture Overview).  This represents the first iteration of RDC which a consumer using their home or office computer could scan the image while in an institution’s online banking service.  For a mobile device, the process is basically the same, however, instead of scanning the check, the consumer simply snaps a picture of the check while using a financial institution’s mobile banking application and the check is then transmitted to a financial institution for posting and clearing. In this report, “Tap. Snap. Deposit.”, authors explore RDC technology, outline some of the key risks and benefits of implementing RDC within a credit union, and provide real world experience from two credit unions currently providing RDC to their members.

The paper posits that RDC, as part of an overall mobile strategy, offers a significant opportunity for credit unions to remain competitive and relevant in today’s technology and convenience-driven marketplace. As team member Sean Leavell explains, “Millennials make up the largest segment of the population now, and research has found they prefer to get their service when and where they want it and it must be easy and convenient.  As the majority of smart phone users are millennials, credit unions must change quickly and adapt to new technologies to remain competitive in the marketplace.  New technology always represents a risk, but with the appropriate safe guards, credit unions can take advantage of newer technologies and protect their members’ money.  This is a fine balance for credit unions as new technologies are in most cases cost prohibitive, but one must weigh those costs with continued growth or possible irrelevance.”

To access a complimentary copy of the white paper, please visit www.srcus.org/management-school/student-white-papers/.

Registration for the 2017 session of the Southeast CUNA Management School, the premier learning opportunity for credit union professionals in the southeast, is now open. The school is being held from Friday, June 9 to Friday, June 16, 2017 at the University of Georgia Hotel & Conference Center, 1197 South Lumpkin Street, Athens, GA.

The Southeast CUNA Management School’s mission is to provide students with the skills and knowledge to meet the leadership challenges that arise in the credit union industry. Over the course of this three-year program, students receive advanced academic instruction on a variety of topics including management, leadership, and financial analysis. Students also apply the knowledge gained from the on-site sessions to projects that require strategic analysis of their credit unions and research of relevant issues facing the credit union industry.  Upon successful completion of the program, students received a graduation diploma issued in conjunction with the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education. Graduation from the Southeast CUNA Management School is recognized throughout the credit union industry as a prestigious mark of achievement.

Tuition is $1,695 for the 2017 session if paid prior to May 3, 2017; tuition for registrations received after this date is $1,895. To register, please click here to complete your registration online.  If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Tom McWilliams at (800) 748-8627, ext. 310 or tmcwilliams@mscua.com. To stay up to date with the latest SRCUS news and information, ‘like’ us on Facebook.

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About SRCUS: Southeast Regional Credit Union Schools (SRCUS) is a collaboration of eight southeastern credit union leagues, including the Carolinas Credit Union League, Georgia Credit Union Affiliates, Kentucky Credit Union League, League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates, Louisiana Credit Union League, Mississippi Credit Union Association, Tennessee Credit Union League, and Virginia Credit Union League. Through collaboration with CUNA and Affiliates, the first SRCUS Management School was established in 1970. Since the school’s formation it has graduated over 1,100 credit union management professionals from 21 states and the District of Columbia. In addition to the management school, SRCUS also hosts an annual Director’s Conference, which provides a full range of informative educational sessions about critical issues important to today’s ever-changing financial industry for credit union directors and committee members. For more information, visit www.srcus.org.

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Media Contacts:

Tom McWilliams, Advisory Committee Chair

Southeast Regional Credit Union Schools

Phone 800.748.8627 ext. 310

Email tmcwilliams@mscua.com

Jennifer Green, Student Liaison/PR Coordinator

Southeast Regional Credit Union Schools

Phone 504.232.1720

Email jgreen@srcus.org

Wondering what a week at SRCUS looks like? Considering registering for the program but need more info on what courses are included? Already registered and ready to see what you’ll be learning? The preliminary schedule for this summer’s session of the Southeast CUNA Management School has been published online and is available here. We have an outstanding line-up of instructors this summer who will be teaching classes on a variety of critical industry topics, including financial analysis, business development, fraud, communications, asset liability management, and much more.

The Southeast CUNA Management School’s mission is to provide students with the skills and knowledge to meet the leadership challenges that arise in the credit union industry. Over the course of this three-year program, students receive advanced academic instruction on a variety of topics including management, leadership, and financial analysis. Students also apply the knowledge gained from the on-site sessions to projects that require strategic analysis of their credit unions and research of relevant issues facing the credit union industry.  Upon successful completion of the program, students received a graduation diploma issued in conjunction with the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education. Graduation from the Southeast CUNA Management School is recognized throughout the credit union industry as a prestigious mark of achievement.

If you’re not registered yet, there are still spots available in our first year class, but don’t delay! In order to provide the optimal academic environment, enhance participation, and facilitate instructor interaction with students, we limit the number of students in each first year class and once the class is full, additional registrants will be placed on a waiting list. Tuition is $1,695 for the 2017 session if paid prior to May 3, 2017; tuition for registrations received after this date is $1,895. Scholarships may be available through your state league. To register, please click here to complete your registration online.  If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Tom McWilliams at (800) 748-8627, ext. 310 or tmcwilliams@mscua.com. To stay up to date with the latest SRCUS news and information, ‘like’ us on Facebook.

Fintechs are disrupting credit unions! Branches are going away! Gen Y hates financial institutions more than dentists! Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

The hype cycles distorting developments in technology and shifts in demographics can lead a credit union astray strategically. Falling victim to hyperbole that hardens into “conventional wisdom” can do real damage to financial institutions navigating the future of financial services.

We’re delighted to have Lee Wetherington present our opening session at Management School this year, where he will share the bottom line on fintechs, Gen Y, and branch transformation, and students will learn about the real challenges and opportunities ahead. Not registered yet? There’s still time! Visit www.srcus.org for more information.

As a parting gift from the Southeast CUNA Management School Class of 2016, the Student Scholarship fund was established with the goal of helping smaller credit unions benefit from the extraordinary educational opportunities available through attendance at the Southeast CUNA Management School. The scholarship, which covers tuition and expenses for the recipient to attend the Southeast CUNA Management School in Athens, GA, will continue to be funded by the Classes of 2017 and 2018. The recipient must be a CEO of a credit union $10 Million or less.

Congratulations to Dishawn Richard, CEO of Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office Credit Union in New Orleans, Louisiana for being selected as the recipient of the SRCUS Student Scholarship. Dishawn holds an Associate Degree in Applied Business which was awarded to her by The Tulane University School of Continuing Studies in December 2013 and is also a Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor. Richard is excited about the opportunity to further her professional education through attendance at the upcoming session of the Southeast CUNA Management School, which kicks off in just a couple weeks. Although she has worked in the credit union industry for more than ten years, she knows that there is always something new to learn and is looking forward to the intense coursework and networking opportunities that SRCUS presents.

“I have a number of professional development objectives that I’m confident (SRCUS) will afford me. Newly learned skills and cutting-edge information will allow me to be even more effective and efficient for my credit union. Another exciting prospect is the opportunity to meet, befriend, and network with my peers in the world of credit union management. I have heard much from alumnae about the personal and professional value of the friendships they formed while attending Southeast CUNA Management School,”explained Richard. “In short, I cannot wait to get started!”

The Southeast CUNA Management School’s mission is to provide students with the skills and knowledge to meet the leadership challenges that arise in the credit union industry. Over the course of this three-year program, students receive advanced academic instruction on a variety of topics including management, leadership, and financial analysis. Students also apply the knowledge gained from the on-site sessions to projects that require strategic analysis of their credit unions and research of relevant issues facing the credit union industry. Upon successful completion of the program, students received a graduation diploma issued in conjunction with the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education. Graduation from the Southeast CUNA Management School is recognized throughout the credit union industry as a prestigious mark of achievement. There are only a few spots left for the upcoming session; for more information or to register, please visit www.srcus.org.

Welcome to Athens! We are so excited to welcome our incoming first year students, returning second year students, and graduating third year students to the 2017 session of the Southeast CUNA Management School. Please check the website each day for an update schedule and any notes or important news you may need to know.

• Registration begins at 11:00 AM in the Pecan Tree Galleria, followed by lunch at 12:00 NOON in the Magnolia Ballroom (1^st floor).
• Classrooms (First year – K/L, Second Year – Q, Third Year – R) are located on the second floor. If you need help finding your meeting room, you can view a map of the property here: http://www.georgiacenter.uga.edu/sites/default/files/uga-hotel-docs-floorplan-4-22-15.pdf
• Please make sure to bring your signed code of conduct and health/waiver forms (1^st & 2^nd year students) to your orientation/class meeting today at 1:00 PM
• You will have free WiFi access in all rooms and throughout the Georgia Center.
• If you need to go off-campus and did not drive your car here, the Georgia Center provides free courtesy shuttle service in the area.

Today’s schedule at a glance:

1^st Year
11 AM                   Registration – Pecan Tree Galleria
12 PM                   Lunch – Magnolia Ballroom
1 PM                     Orientation – Room K/L
2:30 PM               Opening Session
5:30 PM               Opening Reception

2^nd Year
10 AM                   Officer Meeting – Craige Boardroom
11 AM                   Registration – Pecan Tree Galleria
12 PM                   Lunch – Magnolia Ballroom
1 PM                     Class Meeting – Room Q
2:30 PM               Opening Session
5:30 PM               Opening Reception

3^rd Year
10 AM                   Officer Meeting – Craige Boardroom
11 AM                   Registration – Pecan Tree Galleria
12 PM                   Lunch – Magnolia Ballroom
1 PM                     Class Meeting – Room R
2:30 PM               Opening Session
5:30 PM               Opening Reception