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 each Friday morning, and a link to the archived email is posted here after it becomes available. If you’d like to subscribe, complete this sign-up form or email Michelle with your contact information and the name of your credit union or organization.

NOVEMBER

  • November 7:
    • Welcoming Scott Simpson
    • Crash the GAC 2026
    • Two fraud-fighting resources
    • Applications for the Diamond Awards are now open
    • Save the dates for next week’s important events
    • Remote learning opportunities available
    • Today’s trick-or-treaters are likely to become tomorrow’s credit union members
    • Where’s Gerry?

OCTOBER

  • October 3:
    • Registration is now open for GAC 2026
    • Americans spend 4+hours/day thinking about money
    • The NCUA announced the availability of funding for low-income-designated credit unions
    • Government shutdown resources
    • How to get involved in this year’s CU4Kids Brawl of the Wild fundraiser
    • Celebrating what it means to be a Co-op
    • Save the dates for next week’s important events
    • Secure your spot for Be Well. Live Well. 
    • The Midland Empire Chapter of credit unions donated bikes, helmets, and locks to the Friendship House
    • Credit Union Visits: The Heart of our Communities
  • October 10:
    • Celebrate National Co-Op Month with the Montana Council of Cooperatives
    • Explore the economic impact of AI in the economic impact from America’s Credit Unions
    • Join Montana’s Credit Unions for GAC 2026
    •  New data shows community banks see each other — not credit unions — as their main competition
    • Government shutdown resource hub
    • Lending Conference registration ending soon
    • Save the dates for next week’s important events
    • Don’t miss the session “Fraud: Ending the Sickness” at our Be Well. Live Well. conference
    • Celebrating the heart of financial cooperatives
    • Support in tough times
  • October 17:
    • WOCCU has released its 2024 Statistical Report
    • Serving members during the government shutdown
    • Applications open for the NCUA’s 2025 CDRLF grants
    • Last chance to register for MCU’s fall events
    • Brawl of the Wild announcements
    • Save the date for next week’s important events
    • Incoming CEO Scott Simpson’s vision for America’s Credit Unions
    • Mile High FCU is continuing its legacy of raising funds for breast cancer awareness.
    • The Power of “We”: Unlocking Team Synergy
  • October 24:
    • Filene’s big.bright.minds. 2025 set for December 2-4
    • Apply to Crash the GAC 2026
    • Registration is now open for America’s Credit Unions’ 2026 schools and conferences
    • NASCUS Cybersecurity Tabletop Exercise (TTX) 2025
    • All four members of Montana’s congressional delegation voiced support for the CDFI Fund
    • Reviewing the Montana Credit Union Act this month
    • Save the date for next week’s important events
    • Clearwater CU has launched a recurring segment called “Spot the Scam”
    • Be Well. Live Well.
  • October 31:
    • A Be Well. Live Well. recap
    • Official Brawl of the Wild kickoff
    • Save the date for next week’s important events
    • Be Well. Live Well. — The spaces in between

SEPTEMBER

  • September 5:
    • 2026 DE registration coming soon
    • Co-op Month resources
    • Our new partnership with Level All
    • Recharge, connect, and thrive at Be Well. Live Well.
    • Save the dates for next week’s important events
    • Deep Dive Program Launching in Helena
    • Upcoming CU Voices community call on short-form video
    • What’s on your 2025 development plan?
  • September 12: 
    • International Credit Union Day is October 16
    • On September 10, TruStage marked its 90th anniversary
    • There’s no better time to invest in yourself by earning a Montana Credit Union Philosophy certification
    • Montana’s Credit Unions were proud to be in Washington, D.C. earlier this week for our annual Hike the Hill.
    • Save the date for next week’s important events
    • Park Side CU supported the Great Fish Community Challenge by hosting a “Pop-Up Donation Station.”
    • Collaboration in Advocacy
  • September 19:
    • Join the 2025 Brawl of the Wild Kickoff Zoom call
    • Be Well. Live Well. is just around the corner
    • Save the date for next week’s important events
    •  Join an educational call about Level All on September 24
    • Horizon CU supports local nonprofits for Go.Give.Grow on September 17
    • A CEO Roundtable recap
  • September 26:
    • A recent podcast from WOCCU shares insights into the latest fraud trends
    • Register for Music Bingo with a donation to MCUCD
    • Save the date for next week’s important events
    • Compliance officers gather for a day of learning, collaborating, and celebrating National Compliance Officer Day
    • Each One, Teach One.

AUGUST

  • August 1:
    • Celebrating two remarkable retirements
    • Deadline fast approaching for this year’s Tristate Mentorship Match program
    • Save the dates for next week’s important events
    • Join us on August 29 for a burnout prevention webinar
    • The Intrepid CU team presented a donation to Rocky Mountain Development Council
    • The power of peer connection
  • August 8:
    • Register for Filene’s big.bright.minds.2025
    • The NCUA has launched its Exam Efficiency webpage
    • Join us for Be Well. Live Well. in Bozeman
    • A legislative win for homebuyers’ privacy
    • Stablecoin FAQ for credit unions
    • This month’s Sidebar from America’s Credit Unions
    • The latest economic update video
    • Save the dates for next week’s important events
    • Grow your career with a credit union philosophy certification
    • Altana FCU hosts its 4th annual car wash fundraiser for Relay for Life
    • Collaborative Leadership
  • August 15:
    • Scott Simpson announced as the next America’s Credit Unions President/CEO
    • Elder Fraud Prevention Summit this September
    • Two Fraud Mitigation Toolkits
    • Personify Leadership® Training November 4-5
    • Register now for the 2025 Lending Conference
    • Save the dates for next week’s important events
    • Interchange fee litigation
    • Executive order on “debanking”
    • NDAA process
    • What’s your “why” for choosing credit unions?
    • The Great Falls Community Food Bank kicked off its 17th Annual Bank & Credit Union Food Drive 
    • Time for a mid-year check-in
  • August 22:
    • NCUA launches AI resource hub
    • Shodair Children’s Hospital update
    • UMACHA’s premier educational event Sept. 16-17
    • Discovery 2025 On Demand
    • Your last chance to join us for Burnout: It’s Real and You Can Help
    • Gerry joined the executive directors of NCBA CLUSA and Montana Cooperatives for Community Development for a discussion about cooperatives
    • Save the dates for next week’s important events
    • Horizon CU doubles down on the #CUDifference
    • A special back-to-school feature
  • August 29:
    • Tennis-related puns for your credit union to use for the U.S. Open
    • Save the dates for next week’s important events
    • Russell Country FCU makes the #CUDifference during two supply drives
    • Carpe Momenta

JULY

  • July 3:
    • A 4th of July message
    • Save the dates for next week’s important events
  • July 11:
    • Register for Discovery2025 – a free and fully virtual conference from TruStage
    • The latest Economic Update from America’s Credit Unions is now live
    • Applications now open for the Tristate Mentor Match
    • Join a burnout prevention webinar with Bethany Williamson from Associated Employers on August 28
    • Credit union tax‑exempt status remained intact throughout the budget reconciliation process
    • Save the dates for next week’s important events
    • We’re thrilled to bring JabberYak to the Tristate Collaborative Leadership Conference
    • High-potential employees
  • July 18:
    • The Montana Women’s Finance Cooperative launched
    • Stay tuned for the newly refreshed Credit Union Philosophy Certification Program
    • Save the dates for next week’s important events
    • SEG FCU presented a $500 donation to S.O.W. Ministry to support free lunches for children in the community
    • MCU team development
  • July 25:
    • It’s #ilovemycreditunion day
    • Join us on July 31 for CU4Kids ATM fundraising webinar
    • Details of a new auto loan interest deduction that was created by the One Big Beautiful Bill
    • Unveiling the newly refreshed Credit Union Philosophy Certification program
    • The annual CEO/Manager Roundtable
    • We’re partnering with SUCCESSIONapp® to offer a new Small Credit Union Group Succession Planning Workshop
    • Save the dates for next week’s important events
    • Our talented education and events team assisted the Minnesota Credit Union Network in the AACUL Education, Events & Training Collaborative Conference
    • A plethora of advocacy updates
    • Why Gerry loves credit unions

JUNE

  • June 6:
    • Four jokes for National Donut Day
    • Walk through America’s Credit Unions’ new auto lending dashboard
    • Retain your young talent with help from the HYPE Workshop
    • MCU needs your feedback in our 2025 engagement survey
    • Save the dates for next week’s important events
    • Find upcoming events online
    • Gerry facilitates this session’s CUDE
  • June 13:
    • Fighting Elder Fraud podcast episode
    • Save the dates for next week’s important events
    • What we’re reading, watching, and listening to
    • Welcoming ScreenSteps as a New Business Partner
    • Richland FCU recently donated $2,500 to support the City of Sidney Police Department’s K-9 Program
    • Experiential facilitation training
  • June 20:
    • 2024 state-specific CU4Kids impact report
    • The FBI released a video and story of a Montana woman who fell victim to a romance scam
    • The Credit Union Times Luminaries Awards close on July 21
    • The annual MCUCD Fancy Footwear Fundraiser will be on Friday, July 11
    • Join us for the second annual Tristate Collaborative Leadership Conference
    • Save the dates for next week’s important events
    • Join The League of Credit Unions & Affiliates and us for a powerful training designed to help you overcome fear, build courage, and sharpen your communication skills
    • The U.S. Senate passed the GENIUS Act (S. 1582) without amendments that could be harmful to credit unions
    • The Senate Finance Committee released its portion of the reconciliation bill with no changes to the credit union tax status
    • Montana’s Credit Unions signed on to a letter urging Congress to fully fund the CDFI Fund
    • HYPE Workshop 2025 Recap
    • Choosing your hard
  • June 27:
    • America’s Credit Unions conference lineup
    • Pre-registration is now open for Filene’s big.bright.minds. 2025
    • The National Cooperative Business Association is launching the P6 Summer Membership Surge
    • The Montana Council of Co-ops has office furniture available
    • Save the dates for upcoming important events
    • Ravalli CU’s Laci Rose sharing financial education and the #CUDifference with first-grade students
    • Goat-Hiding 101: Navigating Stress in the Credit Union World

MAY

  • May 2:
    • MCU needs your feedback in our 2025 engagement survey
    • The registration deadline is extended for the Montana Co-op Academy
    • Power Up plus bonus events
    • Save the dates for next week’s important events
    • What we’re reading, watching, and listening to
    • Advocacy update
    • What contributes to nonmember benefits 
    • Level up your facilitation skills with the upcoming Personify Experiential Facilitation training
    • Montana Educators’ Credit Union has spent the spring giving back to its community in a big way
    • The collaborative spirit of the Midland Empire chapter of credit unions
  • May 9:
    • Stress and burnout seminars are being hosted by credit union chapters in Billings, Fairmont, and Missoula
    • 2025 HYPE Workshop: an investment in your credit union
    • Save the dates for next week’s important events
    • The impact of credit unions on small businesses
    • Park Side CU and Whitefish CU are collaborating on the 2nd annual Run Wild to benefit three local organizations
    • Seven lessons from geese
  • May 16:
    • MCU 2025 engagement survey CTA
    • Register to join the Montana Employer Forum for Child Care Solutions
    • Midyear Economic Update dates/cities announced
    • Sign up to receive the monthly Compliance Vault
    • Montana credit unions represented at last week’s Millennium Corporate CU’s annual meeting
    • Save the dates for upcoming important events
    • What we’re reading, watching, and listening to
    • The House Ways and Means Committee has upheld the federal credit union tax exemption
    • Fighting fraud at the UMACHA Fraud Forum
    • Proceeds from Clearwater CU’s annual yard sale benefit three local, employee-selected nonprofits
    • Inagural Co-op Academy recap
  • May 23:
    • A Power Up recap
  • May 30:
    • 2026 Herb Wegner nominations open
    • Register for ICUCCC
    • $11,500 raised for MCUCD
    • How to retain your top young talent
    • Tristate Collaborative leadership conference
    • Save the dates for upcoming important events
    • With House win secured, advocacy focus shifts
    • What we’re reading, watching, and listening to
    • Reflections on Power Up

APRIL

  • April 4:
    • Learn from the newly forming Montana Women’s Finance Cooperative how credit unions can support women-owned businesses across the state
    • The latest  economic update from America’s Credit Unions
    • InfoSight360 is now available
    • Executive order signed to phase out paper Treasury checks
    • Next week’s important events
    • PowerUp wouldn’t be complete without a tutorial from AASI/ESI’s Don Gensler
    • A Montana legislative update
    • Don’t Tax My Credit Union mythbusting
    • Whitefish Credit Union collaborates with the Sanders County Ledger to host a pet picture contest fundraiser benefiting the Thompson River Animal Care Center
    • What’s in your 2025 toolbox?
  • April 11:
    • Why you should nominate someone on your team for an annual award
    • The inaugural Montana Co-op Academy
    • Register for this year’s HYPE Workshop
    • Empower your trainers with experiential facilitation skills at the Personify Experiential Facilitation Training
    • Save the dates for next week’s important events
    • What we’re reading, watching, and listening to
    • Montana’s credit unions’ benefits-to-tax ratio
    • Four credit unions work cooperatively at a reality fair for Billings Senior High School
    • The importance of telling our story
  • April 18:
    • NCUA board update
    • International Credit Union Day 2025
    • DCUC Annual Meeting
    • Meet Amy Downs, Power Up’s keynote speaker
    • Take the Lead recap
    • Save the dates for next week’s important events
    • What we’re reading, watching, and listening to
    • A legislative update from Helena
    • How to articulate the differences between credit unions and banks
    • MCU participation in a Helena reality fair
    • Clearwater CU recently donated $45,000 to support three Montana Native CDFIs
    • When Take the Lead meets the Giant Springs Chapter
  • April 25:
    • TruStage releases its annual report
    • The latest podcast features some Anaconda area VIPs
    • Donya’s credit union visits in eastern Montana
    • Save the dates for next week’s important events
    • What we’re reading, watching, and listening to
    • Tristate Collaboration announces new partner
    • An NCUA update
    • Upcoming DTMCU webinar
    • FiCEP registration is coming soon
    • Celebrating our volunteer boards during National Volunteer Appreciation Week
    • Financial Literacy Month & Staff Engagement

MARCH

  • March 7:
    • FinCEN’s Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) rule continues to change
    • African-American Credit Union Coalition offers a series of small credit union webinars
    • ELT implementation could prompt confusion and questions from your members
    • Take five minutes to nominate a deserving colleague for one of our three annual awards
    • Infographic to help support your members facing financial uncertainty
    • What we’re reading, watching, and listening to
    • A recap of the past two weeks of the state legislature
    • Sharing advocacy stats from our 2024 Impact Report
    • Congratulations to 1st Liberty FCU’s Steve Grooms on his induction into the Credit Union House Hall of Leaders
    • Gather, Advocate, Celebrate at the 2025 GAC
  • March 14:
    • TruStage offers a webinar on advocating for the credit union tax status
    • Remembering Herb Walberg
    • Credit Union Youth Month toolkit is now available
    • Punch your ticket for the next Personify Leadership® Training
    • What we’re reading, watching, and listening to
    • The latest advocacy update
    • Sharing education stats from our 2024 Impact Report
    • Montana CU makes the #CUDifference during their staff day
    • Sharing education stats from our 2024 Impact Report
    • Impact: Your Personal Journey
  • March 21:
    • The Channel Your Cheetah Retreat recap
    • Registration for this year’s Take the Lead is closing soon
    • CU Youth Month resources
    • What we’re reading, watching, and listening to
    • America’s Credit Unions responds to CDFI Fund
    • 2025 Lending Conference November 12-13
    • Risk Management stats from the 2024 Impact Report
    • Gerry and Jeremy discuss the 2024 Impact Report in our latest podcast
  • March 28:
    • Josh Wilson (Whitefish CU) took the helm as chair of America’s Credit Unions’ Marketing, PR, & Development Council
    • Clearwater CU opened a beautiful new branch in Butte
    • Our newsletters are merging into a single, powerful edition each Friday
    • America’s Credit Unions’ Marketing, PR, & Development Council Conference recap
    • What we’re reading, watching, and listening to
    • “Don’t Tax My Credit Union” resources for your teams and members
    • Heathcare Trust wins celebrated in 2024
    • Billings FCU shares the #CUDifference with Gen Z at the Medical & Healthcare Student Connect in Billings
    • Spring: Hope and Renewal

FEBRUARY

  • February 7:
    • ServeMontana award nominations
    • Events from America’s Credit Unions
    • You’re invited to the first Montana Cooperative Academy
    • Women’s Community Conference registration opens
    • …and so does registration for the Collaboration in Wellness Conference
    • CFPB Director Rohit Chopra’s end of term
    • An update on Treasury Payments System Access and a new Executive Order tracker
    • Upcoming advocacy update webinar from America’s Credit Unions
    • Upcoming online learning opportunities from MCU
    • What we’re reading, watching, and listening to
    • The Roundtable recap
  • February 14:
    • WOCCU opens nominations for its 2025 Digital Growth Award
    • Sign up for the Personify Leadership® training in Billings
    • Kelsey shares her experience completing her CUDE last week
    • What we’re reading, watching, and listening to
    • Mile High FCU made the #CUDifference with contributions to St. James Cancer Center
    • Servant Leadership
  • February 21:
    • Apply for the Montana Commission on Community Service
    • Join a collaborative call between the CU Voices and Advocacy Champions communities
    • Don’t miss this year’s Women’s Community Conference
    • MCU testified on two bills at the Montana Legislature
    • Update on the Credit Union Board Modernization Act
    • A recent op-ed on credit unions’ tax status
    • Power Up speaker feature
    • What we’re reading, watching, and listening to
    • What does impact mean to you?
  • February 28:
    • Register today for the 2025 Women’s Community Conference
    • Two MCUCD FUNdraisers at Old Works in May
    • Registration is now open for our Lending Conference on April 23-24 in Billings
    • What we’re reading, watching, and listening to
    • Clearwater CU’s onboarding process includes new team members volunteering at a local organization
    • Our 2024 Impact Report

JANUARY

  • January 3:
    • Lael Humble with Montana CU nominated to the America’s Credit Unions PAC
    • Upcoming CFPB webinar designed to help front-line staff protect members during tax season
    • The 2025 Economic Outlook series will focus on population trends, gen AI, emerging opportunities
    • Don’t miss Montana’s inaugural Hike the Hill on January 15
    • What’s your word for 2025?
  • January 10:
    • two Montana credit union leaders have been appointed to America’s Credit Unions committees
    • WOCCU opens the application period for GWLN and WYCUP Scholarships
    • NCUA releases its annual list of priority topics for supervision and exams
    • Register your up-and-coming leaders for Take the Lead
    • The 69th Montana Legislature is now in session
    • America’s Credit Unions unveils  17 advocacy priorities for 2025
    • America’s Credit Unions Senior Economist Dawit Kebede talks data in the latest economic update
    • What we’re reading, watching, and listening to
    • Fergus FCU recently made the #CUDifference with donations to the local school district
    • Strategy in action
  • January 17:
    • The NCUA named a new Western Region Director
    • Join us in supporting relief efforts through CUAid
    • Today’s the final day to register for the 2025 Roundtable
    • Bill-tracking update
    • The CFPB has withdrawn a proposed rule that would have prohibited NSF fees on transactions declined in real-time
    • Advocating for the #CUDifference at Montana’s Hike the Hill
    • Collaboration in action at the MCOC annual meeting and Hike the Hill
  • January 24:
    • 2025 annual awards are open
    • NCUA Vice Chairman Kyle Hauptman was named as the new Chairman of the NCUA Board
    • The Native American Credit Union Coalition is hosting a virtual open house
    • What we’re reading, watching, and listening to this week
    • Montana credit union advocates meet with delegates in DC
    • Rocky Mountain CU introduces nonprofit days
    • Collaboration in action: part two
  • January 31:
    • Rocky Mountain CU taps Cyrus Malkin as new CEO/President
    • Montana Farmers Union Foundation grants are perfect for rural financial education programs
    • Power Up registration opens
    • Save the dates for upcoming educational opportunities from the league
    • What we’re reading, watching, and listening to
    • Advocacy recap from the first month of the 2025 legislative session
    • Valley CU’s Sean Paulauskis talked about his involvement with Gallatin Valley Connect and the #CUDifference they recently made with the HRDC Warming Center
    • Strategic Pillar #3: Education

To view previous President’s Reports, view the 2024 PR Archive or 2023 PR Archive.