President’s Report

The President’s Report is an internal publication of Montana’s Credit Unions intended for our affiliated credit unions and their official family. It’s emailed to our list of subscribers Friday morning and a link to the archived email is posted here after it becomes available. If you’d like to subscribe, email Michelle with your contact information and the name of your credit union or organization.

DECEMBER

  • December 6:
    • Congratulations to the newest FiCEP designees
    • NCUA and other federal agencies issued a statement regarding elder financial exploitation
    • Texas court issued a nationwide injunction this week blocking the implementation of the Corporate Transparency Act
    • This year’s Ugly Christmas Sweater fundraiser is on December 13
    • Inaugural Montana Hike the Hill is on January 15
    • Take the Lead registration is open
    • Download the 2025 Education & Events calendar 
    • The Tristate Collaborative, LLC celebrated a successful year of teamwork in Miami
    • Griz were victorious in this year’s CU4Kids Brawl of the Wild fundraiser which raised over $26,500
    • Meet Ranel — part of our Meet the Staff podcast series
  • December 13:
    • Elder fraud awareness resources
    • Inclusiv’s green lending grant program
    • Overdraft regulatory updates
    • Crash the GAC application extended
    • House passes NDAA without amendments harmful to credit unions
    • Roundtable early bird pricing ends soon
    • Park Side CU and Whitefish CU advocate for the #CUDifference at a local lawmakers’ luncheon in Kalispell
    • Meet Renee — part of our Meet the Staff podcast series
  • December 20:
    • Recent awards taken home by credit unions and professionals in Montana
    • The minimum wage in Montana is increasing in January
    • The 2025 CUInsight Mini-Con Series registration opens
    • Early bird registration ends today for the Roundtable
    • Senate Passes FY2025 NDAA without CU-harmful amendments
    • Check out the available tools from the Credit Union Impact Dashboard
    • Black Hills FCU continues its school support tradition with the “Bring Books to Schools” program
    • A merry Christmas message from Gerry

NOVEMBER

  • November 1:
    • Recording available for America’s Credit Unions small business town hall
    • Upcoming WOCCU webinar on affordable housing study
    • Brawl of the Wild fundraiser for Shodair kicks off today
    • Personify Leadership® Training added for Bozeman in December
    • Post-election webinar on 11.07
    • GAC registration opens
    • 2025 holiday closure signs and social media graphics
    • Meet Karen — part of our Meet the Staff podcast series
  • November 8:
    • Registration opens for The Roundtable (formerly known as MonDak)
    • Our lobby firm has put together a comprehensive overview of the Montana election results
    • America’s Credit Unions Advocacy Team for a post-election webinar recording available
    • GrSave the date (01.05)  for the Montana Hike the Hill
    • Don’t miss your chance to Crash the GAC 2025
    • Online learning opportunities for your teams
    • Whitefish CU is partnering with Logan Health Children’s to create a Sensory-Friendly Santa experience
    • Meet Kelsey — part of our Meet the Staff podcast series
  • November 15:
    • America’s Credit Unions and the Defense Credit Union Council issued a joint message for Veterans Day
    • Ugly Christmas Sweater Day is December 13
    • The latest podcast episode focuses on the life-changing experience of Crash the GAC
    • The next Advocacy Champions call is on November 20
    • With your help, Project Christmas Miracle can bring holiday cheer to 100 families
    • Meet Mara — part of our Meet the Staff podcast series
  • November 22:
    • Explore the strategic choices of credit union performance leaders in a new white paper from TruStage
    • Classes are filling quickly for the Foundation’s 2025 DE Program
    • Registration now open for the Roundtable 2025
    • Rocky Mountain CU has been helping make Thanksgiving brighter in Bozeman Butte/Anaconda, and Helena through donations of turkeys and side dishes to local food banks
    • Bitterroot Community FCU is partnering with the Darby Volunteer Fire Department and the Darby Marshall Office to host a free community Thanksgiving meal delivering meals for people who are home-bound or unable to attend
    • Meet Michelle — part of our Meet the Staff podcast series
  • November 27:
    • A special Thanksgiving message

OCTOBER

  • October 4:
    • How you can celebrate Co-op Month
    • CUAid open year-round
    • 2025 Herb Wegner Awards announced
    • GAC registration opens
    • America’s Credit Unions and state leagues urge Congress to reject amendments to the FY2025 NDAA
    • Be Wild registration closes on October 8
    • Learning, growing, and adapting together at the league
    • Announcing a new partnership with CU DigiLend
    • A month of Co-op Daze with Community 1st FCU
    • Meet April — part of our Meet the Staff podcast series
  • October 11:
    • Create a 60-second (or less) video on avoiding financial scams and you could win money in the Spotlight! Payments Video Challenge
    • Registration for the 2025 DE Program opens October 16
    • Register for the Personify Leadership® training in Missoula, November 14-15
    • The award-winning Brawl of the Wild CU4Kids fundraiser starts in less than a month
    • America’s Credit Unions PAC supporting a $1 million independent expenditure campaign for Sen. Tester
    • MCU Advocacy Champions call on October 17
    • Altana FCU plays a key role in this year’s Saturday Live in Billings
    • Meet Beth — part of our Meet the Staff podcast series
  • October 18:
    • Governor Gianforte declared October 17 as “Credit Union Day” in Montana
    • Register for Filene’s big.bright.minds. and annual member meeting
    • Encouraging our members to apply for America’s Credit Unions committees
    • The Park Side Charitable Foundation awarded $7,500 to three local nonprofits in Missoula and the Flathead Valley
    • Meet Donya — part of our Meet the Staff podcast series
  • October 25:
    • Halloween resources to get you into the spirit
    • A Be Wild video recap
    • How to learn more about our partners
    • Meet Gerry — part of our Meet the Staff podcast series

SEPTEMBER

  • September 6:
    • Learn more about the cooperative industry in Montana at the Co-op Academy
    • Join the upcoming CU Voices Community call and make a plan to celebrate ICU Day
    • MCU endorses Jon Tester
    • Hike the Hill scheduled for next week
    • Daniels-Sheridan FCU making the #CUDifference at county fairs across eastern Montana
    • CEO dialogue in Sidney
  • September 13:
    • Mental health resources for your teams
    • Upcoming NCUA accounting webinar
    • The Credit Union Development Education program opens on October 16
    • Hotel room block for Be Wild drops September 20
    • Hike the Hill recap
    • The Hellgate Chapter collects necessities to stock local care closets
    • Advocacy at its finest
  • September 20:
    • What families really want in a youth account
    • Registration opens for the annual MCUCD cornhole fundraiser
    • Blocks of discounted hotel rooms during Be Wild drops Setember 27
    • Brawl of the Wild 2024 fundraiser details announced
    • The Midland Empire chapter made the #CUDifference in Billings to the tune of over $25,000 last weekend
    • CEO Roundtable recap
  • September 27:
    • America’s Credit Unions 2025 conference lineup
    • Checking out the FinHealth hub
    • Upcoming FinHealth webinar
    • Credit Unions Vote resources
    • Join the ACS CAN Cancer Summit
    • Over 300 Horizon CU Go-Givers sorted cans, gardened, cleaned and maintained, spruced up, and packed food at over 21 Montana organizations
    • A new podcast to help you get to know the MCU staff

AUGUST

  • August 2:
    • Be Wild registration opens
    • 20 best books for learning about money for your TBR list
    • July economic update from America’s Credit Unions
    • New webinar and free access to NCUF’s FinHealth Hub
    • FinCEN requirements for BOI collection
    • Senator Steve Daines shares #ILoveMyCreditUnion message on X
    • Tristate Mentorship Match program applications close soon
    • Park Side CU hosts educator for externship
  • August 9:
    • Small credit union marketing grant available
    • Last chance to apply for next session of Tristate Mentorship Match
    • Donya graduated from the FBI Citizens Academy
    • Tristate Collaborative Leadership Conference recap
    • four credit unions in Great Falls work cooperatively to collect food donations for Great Falls Food Bank
  • August 16:
    • New Personify Leadership® podcast features Gerry
    • CFPB releases its Financial Literacy Annual Report 
    • InfoSight adds a Fraud Channel
    • Advocacy Champion Call on August 27
    • Credit unions oppose federal legislation on EFTA liability
    • Discovery2024 on-demand available now
    • Rocky Mountain CU supports the Inspire Academy with money for youth scholarships and staff volunteers in Butte
    • A look at collaboration, unity, and Olympic medals on the league level
  • August 23:
    • Registration opens for the first Montana Co-op Academy
    • Miracle Jeans Day benefit for CU4Kids on September 19
    • Be Wild about advocacy at this year’s fall conference
    • Intrepid CU team creates care packages for foster children across Montana
    • Expressing appreciation for our volunteer board members
  • August 30:
    • Lauren Culp selected as the Foundation’s Executive Director
    • TruStage recently released their 2023 annual report
    • NCUA Western Regional Director Cherie Freed retired after a 37-year career
    • America’s Credit Unions prepares to host eight conferences this fall
    • MCU has several virtual and in-person events still to come this fall
    • America’s Credit Unions strongly defended their role in small business lending in an American Banker op-ed
    • Credit unions urged to provide feedback on a new proposed rule
    • America’s Credit Unions’ economic update
    • SEG FCU takes to social to share one of their Core Values: Teamwork and Family
    • What are you curious about?

JULY

  • July 3:
    • An abbreviated newsletter with an Independence Day message
    • Horizon CU in Missoula assists the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Missoula with homeownership financial planning workshops for immigrants and refugees
  • July 12:
    • Today is the Fancy Footwear Fundraiser for MCUCD
    • #ILoveMyCreditUnion is right around the corner: here’s how Ravalli CU celebrated last year
    • New resource to measure and boost financial health added to the NCUF FinTech Hub
    • Michelle appointed as the MSAE Board Chair
    • America’s Credit Unions kicked off their new video series, The Sidebar
    • No credit union-related language in Senate Armed Services Committee’s FY25 National Defense Authorization Act thanks to advocacy by America’s Credit Unions and the Defense Credit Union Council
    • Spring 2024 regulatory agenda released
    • Check out the agenda and register for the Tristate Collaborative leadership conference
    • Apply for the Tristate Mentorship Match; bonus points if it’s as a mentor
    • Sky FCU opens new branch in Ennis, bringing the #CUDifference to the community
    • Servant leadership and credit unions
  • July 19:
    • Recent NCUA board meeting recap
    • MCUL Trust offers free adaptive leadership training — Lessons from Crisis and Change
    • Upcoming Personify Leadership® training in Missoula
    • Hike the Hill scheduled for September 10-12
    • Next MCU Advocacy Champion call will be July 23
    • MT league signed letter to FHFA encouraging them to reconsider establishing a dual mission statement for FHLBs
    • This year’s CEO/Manager Roundtable September 18-20, in Missoula
    • Russell Country FCU goes all in during first year of sponsorship of 4-H youth at Cascade County fair
    • Honoring the legacy of Debbie McConaughey, MM Employees FCU, at her retirement party
  • July 26:
    • International Credit Union Day on October 17
    • 2024 Montana Child Care Business Connect Summit registration opens
    • Registration closes soon for the International Credit Union Contact Center Conference
    • Credit Union Times article on attracting younger members
    • Wealth of nonpartisan voting resources on Credit Unions Vote site
    • Upcoming webinar on IT and cybersecurity challenges facing credit unions
    • 1st Liberty FCU celebrates Military and Member Appreciation Night at the Great Falls Voyagers game
    • Why #ILoveMyCreditUnion

JUNE

  • June 7:
    • Two upcoming Filene events
    • New Personify Leadership® opportunity in Missoula this November
    • Overview of the primary election results and the matchups for the upcoming general election
    • Advocacy community call on June 26
    • CU Voices community call on June 27
    • Our 16 free communities; find the right one for you
    • Summer and fall events from the league
    • Southwest Montana Community FCU showcases the #CUDifference through a series of “Ask the Experts” ads in a local paper
    • Why having a “best friend” at work is one of the keys to success and joy
  • June 14:
    • Defense Credit Union Council membership
    • Registration opens for Discovery2024 and World Credit Union Conference
    • DEI speaker highlights
    • CU Pride resources
    • CEO/Manager Roundtable registration opens
    • Medical debt update
    • HYPE 2024 workshop wraps up
    • Russell Country FCU donates to 1000 in Action
    • Credit union celebrations
  • June 21:
    • Upcoming conferences from America’s Credit Unions
    • “The Barber of Little Rock”
    • 2024 Economic Update Series
    • Tristate Collaborative Leadership Conference
    • Senate bill introduced to stop and study debit interchange proposal
    • Virtual IRA training
    • Online learning opportunities from our partners
    • MCUCD Fancy Feet Fundraiser is July 12
    • HYPE Workshop video montage
    • The power of team
  • June 28:
    • Celebrating 90 years of the Federal Credit Union Act
    • The correlation between financial and mental well-being
    • ServeMontana 2024 Needs Assessment
    • NCUA’s annual Cybersecurity and Credit Union System Resilience Report
    • Terrance Williams, CEO of TruStage, joins Montana credit union CEOs
    • Registration opens for the 2024 International Credit Union Contact Center Conference
    • Whitefish CU awarded ServeMontana Business Service Award for its community service efforts

MAY

  • May 3:
    • The March 2024 Credit Union Trends Report
    • Credit union implications of the U.S. DEA announcement of plans to reclassify marijuana as a “less dangerous” drug
    • TruStage announces webinar to help credit unions collaborate with FinTechs
    • Last call for Collaboration in Wellness Conference
    • Engagement survey opens
    • The Midland Empire Chapter donates $2,520 to Warrior Transition Outdoors through shred event and credit union match
    • Personify Leadership® recap
  • May 10:
    • NCBA CLUSA appoints Tracy McIntyre, Executive Director of the Montana Cooperative Development Center to board
    • Upcoming #ILoveMyCreditUnion webinar
    • Retain younger employees’ professional development by encouraging participation in the HYPE workshop
    • Senate rejects an attempt to add unrelated amendments — including the Big Box Bailout bill — to the FAA reauthorization
    • America’s Credit Unions opposes the Federal Reserve’s proposal to lower debit interchange fees
    • Compliance Officers Community was recently joined by Nick St. John, Director of Regulatory Affairs at America’s Credit Unions
    • Park Side CU plants trees in honor of Arbor Day and assists with native grass revegetation at the Lion Mountain Trail with Whitefish Legacy Partners
    • Eagerly anticipating Power Up
  • May 17:
    • Russell Country FCU announces Stacey Byrne as their new President/CEO
    • America’s Credit Unions PAC launches the Credit Union Elections Hub
    • 2024 CUAC Raffle prize drawing raises $22,986
    • Registration closing for this year’s Enhanced FiCEP training webinars
    • Our 2024 MCU Engagement Survey
    • Business partners and exhibitors as our extended family
  • May 24:
    • Power Up recap
    • 2024 professionals of the year announced
    • A special thank you to our exhibitors
  • May 31:
    • NCUA launches financial technology and digital assets section on its website
    • Registration opens for the first Tristate Collaborative Leadership Conference
    •  MCUCD fundraising events during Power Up raise over $12,000
    • Lincoln County CU donates $20,000 to build an event stage in Troy
    • Whitefish CU and Park Side CU host Run Wild event that raises over $18,000
    • How will you share your road with others who can learn from your experience and find their road?

APRIL

  • April 5:
    • Extension of ServeMontana award nomination deadline
    • Credit unions take home America’s Credit Unions Marketing & Business Development Council Diamond Awards
    • League Presidents join the Mitchel Stankovic Underground to share their insights and celebrate league-to-league collaboration
    • Registration opens for the CUFEN 2024 conference
    • Can you build a better charcuterie board than American Share Insurance’s Don Gensler?
    • 2024 Take the Lead recap
    • Sky FCU encourages kids to “Unleash the Power of Saving”
    • Collaborative leadership in action
  • April 12:
    • NCUA has announced the opening of the CDRLF grant round
    • FiCEP designation can empower your  staff to guide members toward financial well-being for all
    •  A four-step process for writing a winning award nomination
    • Reminders to register for the Collaboration in Wellness conference, Power Up, the MCUCD fundraisers, and Billings Personify training
    • The next Data Activation Series starts soon
    • Horizon CU makes financial education fun with online pop-up events and branch tours
    • Great Falls Personify training recap
  • April 19:
    • Registration opens Shodair Children’s Hospital PlayYellow
    • The Foundation announces the launch of Exploring Our Values™
    • America’s Credit Unions lineup of events
    • Ravalli County CU hosts reality fair and offers account matches with donations to the Linda Massa Youth Home or Bitterroot CASA
    • The power of connection
  • April 26:
    • TruStage presents America’s Credit Unions with a $250K contribution to bolster credit union advocacy
    • Join business development professionals in Bozeman for BD NOW innovation summit
    • Last call for 2024 awards
    • Registration closes soon for Power Up
    • Registration opens for 2024 HYPE workshop
    • Cooperation among cooperatives and the creation of a cooperative academy that will focus on the “why” of cooperatives

MARCH

  • March 1:
    • Take the Lead workshop deadline approaching
    • Coach Donnie Campbell headlines upcoming Power Up
    • GAC virtual experience opportunity
    • America’s Credit Unions urges reconsideration of CFPB’s overdraft proposal
    • Bitterroot Community FCU and their Darby Brilliant Beginnings, a kindergarten-to-career savings initiative
    • How does your credit union “leap” ahead?
  • March 8:
    • How to nominate a credit union professional
    • Rocky Mountain CU President/CEO Steve Sendon has several reasons why you should attend Power Up
    • GAC recap
    • Intrepid CU collects donations to raise awareness for National Multiple Sclerosis Month
    • A “first-timer’s” perspective on GAC
  • March 15:
    • Kathy Briggs retires from Family First FCU after 38 years
    • Release of the February Economic Update from America’s Credit Unions
    • Registration opens for the first two Personify Leadership® opportunities in Montana
    • Industry support for a lawsuit seeking a preliminary injunction to stop the implementation of the CFPB’s credit card fee late rule
    • Opposition to the Secure Payments Act (H.R. 7531), which would stop the finalization of the Fed’s proposed debit interchange proposal
    • Webinars, online courses, and virtual workshops from our partners
    • Russell Country FCU retired board member Bryan Fox inducted into the Credit Union House Hall of Leaders
  • March 22:
    • Nominations open for the the annual ServeMontana awards
    • Credit Union Youth Month materials available
    • NCUA’s Office of Consumer Financial Protection offers financial capability webinar
    • How award nominations boost employee retention
    • Upcoming Personify Leadership® opportunities
    • Interchange update
    • Support our credit union allies in Congress as they work to stop the Federal Reserve’s Reg II proposed rule
    • Montana CU recently executes a week-long fundraising initiative for NeighborWorks Great Falls
    • Systems partner meeting recap
  • March 29:
    • Interchange update
    • NCUA has released updates to its Simplified CECL Tool
    • Whitefish CU holds its second financial reality fair at Linderman Education Center
    • How are you engaging your team to support your strategy for the year?

FEBRUARY

  • February 2:
    • Available Grants to Address Affordable Housing
    • Registration opens for Power Up and Collaboration in Wellness conference
    • Upcoming young professionals community call
    • Clearwater CU celebrates Women in Sports Day with the Griz
    • Cooperation among cooperatives at the MCOC annual meeting
  • February 9:
    •  Angela Kallevig from Altana FCU announced as 2024 GAC crasher
    • Upcoming webinar to introduce the Tristate Collaborative, LLC
    • Power Up invitation from Vocal CU CEO/ President Eddie Black
    • Park Side CU announces 2024 Park Side Partners Program nonprofit organizations
    • The Foundation announces  FinHealth Hub
  • February 16:
    • Jason Hagadone, President/CEO with Altana FCU, awarded a 40 under 40 recognition from the Billings Gazette
    • Online training opportunities
    • Vally CU’s Refer-A-Friend program donates $3,550 to Tumbleweed of Billings
    • Leveraging the credit union difference in Montana
  • February 23:
    • Richland FCU celebrates the retirement of Nancy Verschoot and the hiring of Dana Jonsson
    • Registration opens for Millennium Corporate’s 2024 Annual Meeting and the 2024 CUFEN Conference
    • A reminder to register for the Collaboration in Wellness Conference
    • America’s Credit Unions pushes the CFPB to reconsider overdraft proposal
    • America’s Credit Unions focuses on the importance of providing affordable credit solutions
    • The Midland Empire Chapter hosts reality fair at Billings Senior High School
    • The importance of being a lifelong learner

JANUARY

  • January 5:
    • National conference registration opens
    • NAFCU and CUNA merge
    • Credit union trade organizations call on the CFPB to delay and modify its proposed rule to implement section 1033 of the Dodd-Frank Act
    • Horizon CU pairs with Nourish and International Spice District to host Food & Finance Class
    • How are you uniquely living out the cooperative principles in your credit union?
  • January 12:
    • HYPE newsletter distribution
    • Interchange update
    • Montana’s Credit Unions participates in Annual Business Days at the Capitol
    • Grasslands FCU serves Thanksgiving meal at the local Senior Citizen’s Center and gives gifts to “behind the counter” workers
    • Take the Lead recap
  • January 19:
    • The Family First FCU appoints Kyeanna Scharberg as President/CEO
    • Fergus FCU awarded Newsweek “America’s Best Regional Banks and Credit Unions” status
    • The Foundation announces a grant pool of $750,000
    • MonDak 2024 recap and take-aways
    • The CFPB issues its proposed rule for overdraft credit
  • January 26:
    • NCUA releases its annual supervisory priorities letter
    • Take the Lead registration opens
    • Interchange update
    • The CFPB proposes rule to ban NSF fees on certain transactions
    • America’s Credit Unions issues letter of support to Senate Banking Committee members
    • Daniels-Sheridan FCU hosts movie day to support Daniels County Food Bank
    • Celebrating our mutual success and impact across the state in 2023 Impact Report

To view previous President’s Reports, download the 2023 PR Archive or the 2022 PR Archive.