Facing challenging banking industry trends, a brutal economy, new restrictions on fee income and changes in market dynamics, many financial institutions need to focus on optimizing their branch networks and shift their new market planning approaches. Read more in Credit Union Management’s online-only “Facility Solutions” column, below.

Also read the online-only “On Compliance” column and another article about electronic board elections, all in this week’s issue of CUES FYI.

On Compliance: Managing Your Mail
Following the postal service’s Move Update standards can save your credit union money.

Success With Electronic Voting
In-house program doubles member e-votes for second virtual election.

Facility Solutions: Optimizing Branch Networks
A new survey shows financial institutions have a lot of room for improvement at their branches.
 

Support the Movement, Win an iPad
Supply your salary data and support the annual CUES Executive Compensation and CUES Employee Salary surveys. Your information will ensure valid and current information is available for you and your peers, and it’s easy to get started at survey.cues.org. Complete the survey by April 30 and your information will be included in the annual snapshot. Plus, you’ll be entered to win an Apple® iPad.

Member Benefit Section

Ancillary Systems Advice
It’s no wonder credit unions are spending to update technologies that support Internet banking, card and ATM processing, mortgage servicing and information management systems. These ancillary systems are typically what differentiate credit unions in their marketplaces. When’s the last time you reviewed yours? This CUES Technology Edge article includes tips for going about it. (Password required; e-mail cues@cues.org for assistance.)

New Benefit! CUES members and subscribers to Credit Union Management can now access a digital version of the magazine by logging in at cumanagement.org then clicking on the magazine image in the top bar. Or click here for the latest issue. E-mail cues@cues.org for password help.

MyCUES: On this page on the new cues.org, CUES, CUES Director and CUES Supplier members can monitor industry news sources, communicate with peers and track their professional development.
 
Review all your member benefits here.

Blog: Customer Service Philosophy: Pretend You Own the Store: “At a recent Chamber event, the owner of a local store described to me his customer service philosophy,” writes CUES Editor Lisa Hochgraf on the CUES Skybox blog. “He said he tells his employees: ‘Don't call me. Pretend you own the store and fix the problem for the customer.’” When's the last time you told employees not to call you--to own the credit union, and fix members' problems on the spot?

CUES Supplier Member Buyer’s Guide: Finding the right product, service or supplier to help meet your credit union's needs can be like searching for the right puzzle piece—you know the perfect fit is out there, but where? The vendors listed in the CUES Supplier Member Buyer’s Guide will help you solve your problems, meet your needs and provide better service to your members.

Would the Next Generation Please Step Forward?
Tell the up-and-coming professionals at your credit union about CUES NextGen™ membership. Our new membership offering is only $99. It’s for professionals age 35 and under or those with less than two years’ experience in financial services. Be sure to check out the Next Top Credit Union Exec competition, too!

Cool Web Site: With Musicovery.com, you can stream music on your computer based on mood (dark, calm, energic, positive), decade and genre ranging from jazz to soul. You can also use it on Wii, iTunes (with your own music library) and your phone.

Member News:
Anniversary: $564 million/58,000-member Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union, Broomall, Pa., is celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year.

Name Change: $295 million/27,000-member Group Health Credit Union, Seattle, has changed its name to Salal Credit Union.

Sponsorship: $840 million/90,000-member Andrews Federal Credit Union, Suitland, Md., served as a sponsor for the 2010 Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10-Mile Run and 5K Walk. The run took place on April 11 on the National Monument grounds in Washington, D.C. There were over 15,000 runners participating in the race this year, including Andrews FCU President/CEO Chris McDonald.

Recognized: CUES Supplier member CU Members Mortgage awarded $394 million/66,000-member Greater TEXAS Federal Credit Union, Austin, Texas with the Marketing Achievement Award for the credit union’s efforts to promote mortgages to their members.

Read all the CUES member news here.

CUES Calendar

 Webinar: How will the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Affect You?
April 28
1-2 p.m. Central time

Webinar: Why Hispanic Members Are Important to Your Strategic Future
April 29
10-11 a.m. Central

CEO Institute III
Strategic Leadership Development
May 2-7
University of Virginia
Darden School of Business

Webinar: Alternative Capital: Recapitalizing Credit Unions
May 12
10-11 a.m. Central time

CUES School of Business Lending
School I: Business Lending Fundamentals
May 17-21
Hyatt Regency Cambridge
Boston

School of Risk Management
May 17-18
Hyatt Regency Cambridge, Overlooking Boston
Boston

Alternative Capital: Controlling Your Destiny
Wednesday, June 2
10-11 a.m. Central time

DLI™: Governance
June 6-9
Joseph L. Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto
Toronto
 
CUES Annual Convention
Disney's Contemporary Resort
June 21-23
Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
 
Alternative Capital: Navigating the Future
Wednesday, June 30
10-11 a.m. Central time

Check out all the upcoming CUES events.

Join the CUES Community!
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