Credit Union Times has come up with all sorts of successful extracurricular activities lately, a couple of those being: "Trailblazers 40 Below" and "Women to Watch". Most recently the publication created a new program called "Not for CEOs", which aims to attract a younger audience to engage in industry issues. Ironically, the name "Not for CEOs" doesn't exclude industry CEOs, as they are encouraged to join in on the conversation to provide their expertise to the younger generations.

This quarterly forum will occur at various industry trade shows throughout the year for a panel discussion with credit union experts of all ages. We invited Credit Union Times' Editor-in-Chief Sarah Cooke to provide us with the who, what, why, when, where, and how of "Not for CEOs". What we received was an in-depth conversation on how to encourage the younger generations to get more involved with industry issues to ensure a solid future for credit unions. Good stuff from Sarah. Check it out!

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Credit Union Times
"Not for CEOs"

Each year the folks at Cornerstone Advisors query hundreds and banks and credit unions regarding their best practices. Once Cornerstone receives responses from its FI population, it compiles the data into a free report for industry pros to peruse. Some of the items the annual Report covers benchmarks regarding branch sales and service, call center, web and mobile management, loan operations, mortgage lending, and more.

We invited Cornerstone's Steve Williams and Scott Hodgins on the program to discuss the details of the firm's complimentary report and why they produce such a comprehensive document anybody in the FI industry. This interview is also a call for participants, as well, because the more information Cornerstone receives from credit unions, the better the report will be. Always entertaining and informative having Steve and Scott on the show. Check it out!

Note: The Report is free for those who participate. Everyone who is interested in reviewing it, can purchase it from the Cornerstone Advisors website. A cost has not been announced yet.

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Cornerstone Advisors
The Cornerstone Report for Credit Unions

Mountain America Credit Union's EVP/COO Nathan Anderson brings a refreshing perspective to the credit union industry from his previous stints at Black & Decker, DeWalt, and Rubbermaid. Nathan's experiences working for those companies have helped develop his unique "AAA" philosophy today -- which certainly bodes well for Mountain America. For example, he explains what he means by saying, "in this industry you get to have your cake and eat it too." He also discusses why "sales" is a dirty word in the CU industry. And he talks about the one key to credit union survival -- among other compelling and timely topics. It's no wonder Nathan and his forward thinking won the latest CU Times latest Trailblazer 40 Below award. Well deserved, Nathan! Enjoy the show.

What we chat about...
1. Tell us your role at Mt. America Credit Union?
2. You came to the CU industry from another industry: Black & Decker / DeWalt / Rubbermaid. Why did you "join" the credit union movement, leaving those companies behind?
3. You mention that in the CU industry you get "to have your cake and eat it, too." Can you explain?
4. You say that "sales" is a dirty word in the credit union industry. Why?
5. Tell me about the changing culture at Mt. America and its results via your "AAA" philosophy?
6. Tell me about your view on innovation?
7. You state that the key to credit union survival in the future is true collaboration. Can you explain?

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Mountain America Credit Union
Nathan's Trailblazer 40 Below Award

United States' credit unions can learn a lot from Poland's credit unions. Even though Poland's credit union movement is mere fraction of the size of America's, it has had phenomenal success since it unified its voice -- something U.S. credit unions should seriously consider. To get the backstory on Poland's unified credit union success and other international issues, I awoke at 5:30 a.m. (San Diego) just in time chat with Grzegorz Bierecki, President/CEO of the National Association of Cooperative Savings and Credit Unions, before he ended his workday in Poland. Grzergorz is also 1st Vice Chair of the WOCCU. Speaking of the WOCCU, we discuss the big plans for the WOCCU's World Credit Union Conference taking place in Gdansk, Poland, in July 2012. It was a true pleasure having Grzegorz on the show for our first bonafide international interview. Enjoy the show!

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woccu.org
skok.pl/english/

For those of you who have not heard of CUFX or Credit Union Financial Exchange, Jeff Johnson, Baxter Credit Union's CIO and leading proponent for the technology standard, provides an in-depth description of what it is, how it works, and why its gaining steam throughout the industry. In a nutshell, CUFX is the standardization of technology integration and implementation that vendors and credit unions must adhere to when incorporating new tech solutions. Jeff states that its due time for a standard such as CUFX to be implemented throughout the industry to ensure proper implementation. Jeff, who is also the Vice Chair of CUNA's Technology Council, does a stellar job in making a strong case for its official adoption that enables swift technology integration at credit unions not stifling innovation. Check it out when you get a chance.

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Baxter Credit Union
cufxstandards.com
CUNA Technology Council