In this episode, we visit with 2014 CO-OP THiNK Prize contestant #2, Mr. Christopher Whalen from Connex Credit Union. Chris has come up with a financial mobile services idea that is scalable for all credit unions of any size that will level the playing field with today's mammoth FIs. He has aptly dubbed this universal service: MobileOne.

Check out how Chris came up with MobileOne, what his goals are for it, and what he'll do if he wins the $10,000 first prize. Enjoy!

Visit:
connexcu.org
co-opthink.org/think-prize/

This week we will be running the three finalists for CO-OP Financial Services' 2014 THINK Prize competition with $10,000 riding on the winning entry. First up is Cy Fair Federal Credit Union's SVP of Marketing and IT Brett Wooden. Brett has come up with a financial education iPad app for kids called "Where's My Allowance?" This app is to be used in schools nationwide -- and he intends to have credit unions right in the mix as the providers of this app, so they will top of mind when it comes to financial services for parents, students, and teachers.

Check out our conversation to see how Brett came up with idea and what his goals are when it's ready to launch -- oh yeah, and what plans to do with the $10,000 if he wins. Enjoy!

Visit:
cyfairfcu.org
co-opthink.org/think-prize/

Yes, credit unions have experienced some mighty fine times the past couple years since the economy's slip-n-slide around the turn of the decade. But now that times are fruitful, it is not the time to rest on your laurels. One of the industry's many "push-the-envelope" conferences that sticks with this theme year after year is CO-OP Financial Services' THINK Conference with it's usual stellar speaker line up, THINK Prize competition, and educational sessions to complement it all.

This year is no different. So we invited CO-OP's Vice President of Marketing Samantha Paxson on the program to get a preview of what attendees will experience at the 2014 THINK Conference in New Orleans, May 19-22. Samantha outlines four areas THINK will cover, along with highlighting the once-again outstanding speaker line up (go see Gary Vaynerchuk) and the 2014 THINK Prize finalists competing for $10,000 first prize to launch their ventures in credit unions nationwide.

There's plenty more in this episode with Samantha. Enjoy -- and don't forget to vote for the THINK Prize winner of your choice. All three rock and will be featured on CUbroadcast next week.

Visit:
www.co-opthink.org

Short on time? Watch the trailer below...

With our vice president currently visiting Ukraine this week and more violence erupting, the world's eyes focus deeper on this part of Europe and what will come of the troubled situation over there. Many of us who are tracking the events overseas already know the precarious political circumstances that lay ahead for the country. Looking at it from a financial perspective, many Ukrainians are taking monetary matters into their own hands. So what exactly are they doing with their money?

In Part 2 of our talk with WOCCU's President/CEO Brian Branch, we discuss Brian's recent frontlines trip to the country -- as he reveals how Ukrainians are managing their finances in these urgent times. He also tells us why he went, what he saw, and what credit unions can do to help. Brian answers these questions and more in a very timely, intriguing, and firsthand report on how credit unions can make an impact on today's world events. Don't miss it.

Visit:
www.woccu.org

The world's credit unions will converge in Australia this coming July (27-30) for the 2014 World Credit Union Conference to discuss global issues, trends, and topics that affect us all. And it's amazing how small a world it is when it comes to CU situations. World Council of Credit Unions' President/CEO Brian Branch joins us on CUbroadcast to explain how similar credit unions are on any part of the planet. In fact, he conducted a survey of credit unions worldwide to show how alike we are when it comes to attracting specific audiences, dealing with regulations, and implementing particular technologies. Amazing how different we are culturally but how similar we are when it comes to the issues.

Along with addressing these global topics, Brian also provides takeaways attendees will gain from this year's conference located on Australia's Gold Coast -- where, by the way, temps will be warm despite it being the continent's winter season. In addition, we also discussed what credit unions from different countries can learn from each other, why Australia was chosen as this year's locale, and much more.

And stay tuned for part two of our chat with Brian, as we talk about his recent trip to the Ukraine and his "front line" experiences there. Compelling content for sure, showing how credit unions are dealing with the area's current crises. Don't miss it.

Visit:
www.woccu.org