According to the CUSO, this decision was made due to the rapidly changing needs of the Internet, and Microsoft ending mainstream support for these versions, including the implementation of important security updates for these outdated browsers.

CU*Answers has said that effective Monday, October 4, these browsers will no longer be supported.

A series of recommendations have been made which stress the importance of credit unions communicating this change and alternative solutions available to their members (updating their browser to a supported version or downloading another supported browser such as Safari, Firefox, or Google Chrome).   Additionally, the CUSO has offered to assist by either sending an electronic message (email/online banking) via Member Connect, a service provided by the Xtend CUSO, as well as placing an article on the Online Banking Community (OBC) page that members see when they login.

The CUSO says that It’s Me 247 already presents a message every time a member logs on with an out of date browser that encourages them to upgrade, and that the Online Banking Use Agreement presented to members states, “Your computer must have installed browser software which utilizes appropriate security protections.”

For more information about the sunset for IE5 and IE6 Access to It’s Me 247, view the Client News & Updates page at http://www.cuanswers.com/client.php.

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According to the CUSO, some of the upgrades include a new configuration file  to hold country names/codes, maintained by CU*Answers for all clients that can be used in both batch and interactive scans, wherever there is an address with a foreign address flag that can be used to identify a country name.  This feature will assist in cleaning up issues related to modifying and deleting country names.  Other changes include the addition of a new log file that will record every time an OFAC scan is done for anything other than a member – which is designed primarily as an informational archive for credit unions to Query the file any time if they are questioned about when a particular name was scanned through OFAC.

For more information about products in the works at CU*Answers, visit the CU*Answers Kitchen page at http://www.cuanswers.com/kitchen/.

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According to the CUSO, Michelle Layton, a member of Sangamon Schools Credit Union in Springfield, IL was the recipient of the Garmin nuvi 3790T GPS Navigation System.   Layton was selected from a random drawing of entries from the 42 participating credit unions.

This sponsored contest is one of the CU*Drive Marketing Campaigns that are free (only incur cost of printing collateral materials which are discounted via collaborative ordering) for members of the CU*Answers CUSO.

For more information about collaborative marketing options offered by CU*Answers, visit http://marketing.cuanswers.com/.

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According to Bohdanyk, Mad City Money is a 2 1/2 – hour simulation program born from CUNA’s initiative to provide financial education for the youth population.  Mad City Money provides participants a set of circumstances and a the opportunity to experience the decision making processes of purchasing a home, a vehicle, even everyday necessities such as food, clothes, personal care products and more.  An important facet about the effectiveness of this program is that it also allows students to be tempted by products such as cell phones, vacations, computers, etc. – and then to suffer the consequences of making poor decisions.

“The entire purpose of the program is show kids how to use a checkbook, to create and stick to a budget – and then to subsequently break their budget, so that they understand realistic consequences of their decisions,” commented Bohdanyk.

Both Starla and Mark were very helpful in illustrating that to our participants,” commented Lin Standke, CUDE, CCUFC and Manager of Youth Programs at the Center for Personal Finance at CUNA.  “I think the program was a success,” she continued.

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The event contained several educational opportunities in which the pair participated, including the Social Media & Your Credit Union education breakout led by CUNA Manager of New Media & Communications, Josh Jones. Jones covered an array of topics ranging from the use of credit union blogs, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter – and reasons why credit unions cannot afford to neglect social media.  According to Bohdanyk, an interesting topic of discussion between Jones and he was the use of Google Alerts by credit unions to monitor their reputation.

While attending the conference, Honea and Bohdanyk also answered questions on why it is important for data processors to provide the tools required to help grow loan volume, how tiered relationship management benefits credit union membership and why being able to “know your members” is more important today than ever.

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According to Greg Smith, President/CEO of CU*NorthWest, the annual planning session will include participation from senior members of the Management team of sister CUSO, CU*Answers.  The inclusion of CU*Answers is in support of the shared cuasterisk.com network visibility and collaborative business strategy.  CU*NorthWest also says that the planning session will focus on charting a course for sustainability by continuing to offer ‘more for less’ through its core processing product suite, CU*BASE.

“Completing our 5^th year in business with having met every original milestone is a great accomplishment for our CUSO,” comments Todd Powell, CU*NorthWest Board Chair and CEO of Spokane Firefighters Credit Union. “Especially in an economy where long established businesses are struggling,” Powell continues.

CU*NorthWest also recently said it is offering mobile web phone banking for its credit unions/clients at no additional cost, and plans to continue demonstrating the advantages and value realized by partnering with a CUSO with other upcoming product announcements.

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According to Greg Smith, President/CEO for CU*NorthWest, the workshop is designed as another way to stimulate collaboration in its community of users and assist individual credit unions in sharing strategies and associated tools.  In addition to educating other clients/owners on specific tools being used in the network, the workshop will also be used as a “launch pad” for further potential studies by the CUSO.  Integration or alignment to the standing tool set available in the CU*BASE product suite is a standard consideration either by direct funding from the CUSO, the vendor of the product, or shared expense by one or many credit unions who have interest.

The process will include the presentation of a product by the using credit union (the “Champion”), and may also involve incorporation of the providing vendor.  Illustrated by credit union staff from their perspective, the focus will be on the direct business application in their credit union operations.

“We are always looking for ways to stimulate our collaborative community at CU*NorthWest,” said Smith.  “The Champions Workshop will be an exciting forum, building on the concepts of peer-to-peer networking,” he continued.

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According to Greg Smith, President/CEO for the CUSO, this will be the first appearance for CU*NorthWest or its core processing solution, CU*BASE, at this event.  CU*NorthWest recently converted its first California credit union in San Bernardino (1^st Valley Credit Union) and has plans to expand in that market.

“Our product and service offerings are gaining traction in the West, so we’re excited to attend this conference and introduce ourselves to other California and Nevada credit unions,” comments Smith.  “We have a great story to tell about networked business strategies, and will continue to promote collaboration as a vehicle for sustainability in the credit union industry.

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The integration to eDOC’s products followed the credit union’s discovery of the cuasterisk.com network, which is a collaborative of CUSOs.   eDOC Innovations is one of the CUSOs that collaborates in the network, providing imaging, document management, Check21 and Remote Deposit Capture strategies for sustainable paperless processes to over 400 credit unions nationwide.

According to Linda Bodie, CEO of the credit union, WV United is enthused with the outcome to their recent implementation of eDOC’s paperless solutions.  “eDOC offers an awesome solution for our e-Strategy,” she remarks.  “We are looking forward to providing a vast array of e-Documents to our team and our members, so they will finally have access to all the important stuff without any interaction from a support person,” she continues.

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According to NACUSO, the gatherings are scheduled in different communities so that the spirit of collaboration is actively facilitated, rather than falling stagnant due to tight time and budget restrictions.   Credit Union Executives interested in forming a CUSO/Collaborative or learning about existing CUSO resources as well as CUSO Executives interested in sharing knowledge are urged to attend.

In the Regional Meeting Series, NACUSO plans to:

• share practical information about the collaborative model and how it is being used
• provide an opportunity to network with local peers interested in collaboration
• discuss CUSO 3.0 and how the model can be utilized
• showcase local collaboratives
• learn more about Platinum and Gold Partners in the NACUSO network
• foster a networked innovation session for discussion of strategy development and realizing opportunities in a collaborative atmosphere

The meetings are scheduled for September 8^th in Denver, CO and November 4^th at the Corporate Offices of CUDL/CCUL in Ontario, CA.  Cost of registration is $59 for NACUSO members, $89 for non-members, and $99 for late registrants at the door.  For added incentive, NACUSO will deduct the registration fee amount for non-member attendants at the event that later join NACUSO as well as discount additional registrations from the same organization by $10.  Agenda information and online registration are available online at http://www.nacuso.org/ Queries for information may be directed to:

Shawna Luna, NACUSO Executive Assistant, 888-462-2870 or Shawna@nacuso.org.

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The West Michigan-based CUSO has added the ability for credit union members to select their Opt In/Opt Out Status on It’s Me 247 online banking.  The new page allows members to select their “Overdraft Protection Options.”  The member can select to Opt Out (No) or Opt In (Yes).  CU*Answers implemented this new feature at no extra cost to its clients.

For more information access:  http://www.cuanswers.com.

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According to the CUSO, a new report query option provides analysis of the potential impact on fee income as a result of Reg. E.  This tool will show members that have Opted In or Out that also had fee activity from January to June of 2010.  Credit unions also have the ability to view listings of all members that have elected to Opt In or Out, regardless of whether applicable fees were posted in the first half of the year.  The announcement reminds credit union leaders that the information pertains to ATM/Debit card activity only.

CU*Answers also recommends that credit unions should use the information provided from the report  to contact members that have Opted Out, and persuade them of the benefits of Opting In.  It continues to say that fellow cuasterisk.com network partner, Xtend, provides outbound member contact services through its Xtension Call Center, and does provide this specific Opt In/Out call service.

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According to the CUSO, the Warrenville, Illinois-based credit union chose to upgrade to eDOC’s products for the benefits the credit union could provide to its members as a result.  According to Byron Cluckey, Director of IT for the credit union, providing extended access to statement copies and other documentation relevant to the member was an influential factor when deciding to integrate with eDOC’s products.

“eDOC’s entire DocLogic suite fits together well – each solutions building on the other.  It makes sense to use them all in our strategy and we look forward to creating an eDocument environment for our staff and members,” remarks Cluckey.

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WV United FCU of Charleston, WV, will be upgrading to the CU*BASE core data processing system during the fourth quarter of 2010.

Linda Bodie, CEO of WV United FCU says, “We are beyond excited to join the CU*Answers team and implement their efficient software solutions.  CU*BASE has everything we need… and it’s all in one place.  We are literally counting the days to conversion and can’t wait to move to a system that will improve our member serviceability and staff productivity.”

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Many of the software enhancements were driven by the approaching regulation changes.  The CUSO stated it has already implemented statement changes in accordance with Reg. Z as well as adding Opt In/Out features for Reg. E.  Not only did CU*Answers have the regulatory changes in place before the deadline, but all software development and implementation was done at no charge to CU*Answers clients.

For more information regarding CU*Answers and its core data processing system, CU*BASE, go to http://www.cuanswers.com .

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