2014 LSCU & Affiliates Affiliation Brochure

League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates

Focusing on Your Success

It is hard to believe that January 1, 2015, will “officially” mark the fifth anniversary of the legal and structural consolidation of the Alabama and Florida Leagues into the LSCU & Affiliates. It was March 2009 when the membership of both leagues voted overwhelmingly to consolidate. In August of that same year is when I came on board as CEO. Much has changed in the past five years, but the success of credit unions in Alabama and Florida has been our focus from day one. In fact, it is the first guiding principle that we have as an organization. Two more of our guiding principles are to be a highly effective, efficient, and fast moving organization, as well as helping to maximize the long-term returns to our stakeholders. Over the past five years, I hope all of you have seen us live these principles.

As you look through this brochure, you will see each of these principles in action. We were quick-moving when we shifted into high gear on the Don’t Tax My Credit Union initiative and the risk-based capital proposed rule, being a national leader in our grassroots response. The LSCU & Affiliates continues to run very efficiently, allowing us to return almost $800,000 back to our member credit unions in the form of dues rebates and patronage dividends over the last two years. The Cooperative Image Campaign is an example of helping all of our credit unions succeed by raising the credit union brand across both states.

Inside, a few of our most recent accomplishments are highlighted in a unique way. Some of them were set in motion over the past five years as we laid the foundation for future success. Meaningful achievements can take time, and this is a good way to show that incremental progress can lead to significant wins. Since 2010, we have also begun working with credit unions across the country through LEVERAGE, CU Vendor Management (CUVM), CU Audit and Compliance Group (CUACG), and our Cooperative Image Campaign. The LSCU & Affiliates, along with Alabama and Florida credit unions, is looked upon as leaders among leagues, and we plan to only increase our leadership at both the state and national levels in the years to come.

It is proven that when we work together we can accomplish much. I ask for your affiliation and active participation in 2015 and beyond. The first five years were just a warm up. With your continued support, the best is yet to come.

Sincerely,

Patrick La Pine, president/CEO

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LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT/CEO OF LSCU

Dues Rebates & Patronage Dividend

2014 8.7% of Dues Returned

2013 10% of Dues Returned The dues rebates and patronage dividend are made possible by the success of LSCU & Affiliates through an efficiently run organization, as well as credit unions doing business with LEVERAGE.

Ever since my days of representing Iowa in the U.S. House, I have witnessed the tremendous passion and commitment of the credit union movement in serving its members and local small businesses.

Today, I am honored to serve credit unions as president and CEO of the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), a role I assumed in September. I have been learning more about credit unions – as well as listening to credit union leaders, just like you. Generally, these leaders want nothing more than the flexibility to serve their members with the financial services their members want or need – and to continue building the credit union movement so that Americans choose credit unions as their best financial partner.

Working together, I know we can accomplish both.

We can utilize my experience from service in Congress and as director of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, a cabinet-level position, under Pres. George W. Bush. We can rely on the deep knowledge and long-term commitment of the CUNA staff in addressing the issues. We can call on the strength of the CUNA-League system across the country to carry our message, which is amplified by more than 100 million credit union memberships nationwide. And we can work with your 6.8 million members of Alabama and Florida credit unions to ensure they have access to the financial services they want and need through your credit unions.

I am greatly optimistic about the future of our cooperative financial institutions, especially as we remain united in support of our shared agenda. That is why your affiliation with CUNA and the League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates is so important for all of us. This past year alone, through the strength of our team effort, our “Don’t Tax My Credit Union” helped keep our tax exemption intact, and the record 2,000 comment letters to NCUA we generated on its risk-based capital proposal resulted in numerous changes considered by the agency, and a new comment period on the revisions.

There is much more ahead to accomplish together on behalf of you, your peers in Alabama and Florida – and, of course, in service to your members and small businesses in your states. Let us keep working together – and achieve our goals as a team.

I am looking forward to meeting all of you either at the 2015 CUNA GAC March 8-11 in Washington, or in meetings right here in Alabama and Florida.

Sincerely,

Jim Nussle, president/CEO, CUNA

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT/CEO OF CUNA 2

Regulatory Advocacy The LSCU understands that regulatory and compliance burdens increases costs and takes credit unions away from serving their members. That is why the League makes regulatory advocacy and compliance support a priority in a variety of ways.

The League implemented a comprehensive risk-based capital (RBC) plan to help credit unions understand the NCUA’s proposed rule.

The League held 14 RBC informational session in Alabama and Florida. Each session educated credit unions on the RBC proposal, provided time for Q&A, and helped credit unions understand what was needed to submit a comment letter. To provide access to those that were not able to attend, a session was recorded and posted online. It was viewed 370 times.

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The League worked to get 28 of 33 members of Alabama and Florida delegation to sign on to a congressional RBC letter to NCUA. Additionally, Sens. Richard Shelby (R-AL) and Bill Nelson (D-FL) sent their own letters of concern to the NCUA.

In 2014, the League held 68 free compliance training sessions for credit unions and chapters across Alabama and Florida on a variety of topics ranging from BSA training to IRA training.

Maintaining working relationships with state and federal regulators is a key component of our regulatory advocacy strategy.

An online compliance management and tracking solution that the League helped develop through League InfoSight.

The League and credit unions met with incoming NCUA Board Member Mark McWatters during our fall Hike the Hill.

Your own personal compliance library containing more than 300 detailed model policies.

Patrick La Pine met with the CFPB in Washington, D.C. to discuss various credit union issues.

New Alabama Credit Union Administration Administrator Sarah Moore presented to credit unions during the Southeast Leadership Development Conference.

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Legislative Advocacy The LSCU holds legislative advocacy as a top priority. Being an advocate for credit unions by educating lawmakers about the credit union difference and how they serve their membership is important to the successful passage of positive legislation at the state and federal level.

2014 was a good year for credit unions in the Alabama State Legislature. An update to the Alabama State Credit Union Act was passed.

This was the first proactive piece of credit union legislation passed in Alabama in 20 years. The new law limits board member liability, allows boards to expel members, and modifies annual operating fees to make the state charter more affordable for some asset classes, among other updates.

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The passage of the State Act was set in motion in 2012 when a credit union task force was formed to look at the State Act and recommend changes.

The League raises money for its Political Action Committees (PACs) in a variety of ways to help elect credit union friendly candidates to public office. In 2014, the League also contributed $154,000 in corporate funds (not PAC) to support the CUNA/AACUL National Advocacy Fund.

Credit unions met with Rep. Phil Williams (R-Huntsville) during the State GAC to give real world experience on patent trolling. It helped Alabama become only the third state in the country to pass a “patent troll� law.

As an advocate for its member credit unions, the LSCU works to facilitate meetings between lawmakers and credit unions to discuss legislative issues of importance to the industry.

First Commerce Credit Union CEO Cecilia Homison (left) and Chief of Staff Jan Sheffield with Florida CFO Jeff Atwater during a lunch meeting to discuss credit union issues.

In 2014, the League worked with Florida Office of Financial Regulation (OFR) to pass updates to the State Credit Union Act that among other things, allows credit unions to open branches after giving OFR 30 days written notice, allows the establishment of employee, officer, and director benefit, insurance, and investment plans, and updates the information submitted to OFR after new directors are elected.

The LSCU worked with the Florida Attorney General’s office to help update data breach notification laws in 2014. The new law requires specified entities to take reasonable measures to protect and secure data containing personal information in electronic form and requiring notice to individuals of data security breaches if it affects more than 500 or more individuals.

The League was a title sponsor of the 2014 Florida Gubernatorial Debate in October that was seen by more than 4.8 million Floridians and across the country on C-Span.

In the fall, the League facilitated a credit union lunch meeting with Florida Gov. Rick Scott.

Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam headlined the Florida State GAC.

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- Debra D. Childress, COO My Healthcare Federal Credit Union

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“As a small credit union with limited resources and money the League of Southeastern Credit Unions has provided us with valuable and affordable training, compliance updates, webinars, and conferences. Without the League, all of this would be out of our reach to afford.”

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The League's goal is to be seen as a regional 3 leader in education and training for credit unions.

Rebranding some of our signature events will help 2 to attract more credit union officials outside of our 1 core market.

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The Southeast Credit Union Conference and Expo (SCUCE) had 1,185 attendees in 2014, the largest attendance for the conference to date. With a sold out exhibit hall with more than 135 vendors, the SCUCE is one of the largest credit union conferences in the country.

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More than 2,000 credit union executives and staff have been trained at LSCU & Affiliates conferences and workshops in 2014. The sessions included lending, bankruptcy, BSA, disaster recovery, and regulatory compliance.

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2 The LSCU1offers numerous educational offerings 11 to meet credit unions’ needs.

There 0 are signature events, like the 1 5 Southeast Credit Union Conference and Expo, the Southeast Supervisory Committee Conference, the Southeast Leadership Development 4 Conference, and the CU Executive Dialogue, as well as more than 100 webinars offered to help credit 3 unions cut down on travel 7 costs. One-and two-day workshops 6 maximize time and travel by having them in central locations in5 both states.

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“At the Southeast Leadership 0 17 0 Development Conference, 0 social I received great ideas on using 18 union media to build up our credit as well as the employees!”

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- Janice Wright, director Tuscaloosa Credit Union

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“The League’s BSA session helped me better understand my responsibility as a board member.”

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The CU Executive Dialogue is designed exclusively for large asset-sized credit union CEOs and senior management to discuss the future of the credit union movement through innovation and greater collaboration.

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The League provides Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits at many of the conferences and workshops.

The credits enhance a director's role at their credit union while keeping them up-to-date on topics like risk management, asset liability management, and strategic credit union leadership.

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- Robert Lipscomb, director North Alabama Educators Credit Union

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The Southeast Leadership Development Conference has become the League’s second largest signature event. The conference provides credit union directors, CEOs, and executives with leadership training, an exhibit hall, and educational opportunities.

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Unity & Cooperation

& Affiliates

Cooperative Initiatives focuses on activities that promotes cooperation among credit unions and chapters, as well as the credit union motto of "People Helping People." Staff also provides valuable support to small credit unions.

Small asset sized (SAS) credit unions have a unique set of needs. The League recognizes that and works to help them by providing operational support. Addtionally, each credit union under $50 million in assets receives a $500 SAS initiatives account to use toward an LSCU or LEVERAGE product or service. The League also holds four small asset-sized conferences per year. “LSCU is a valuable resource for current industry-related information and education. In addition to providing products and services to help our employees succeed they are a conduit for enhancing the cooperative principles of credit unions.�

Richard J. Skaggs, president/ CEO USF Federal Credit Union

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The Young Professionals Group (YPG) program has grown to more than 250 participants and seven active chapters. The YPG is for credit union employees under the age of 40. The goal of the program is to improve industry awareness, increase knowledge exchange and professional development, and strengthen the collaborative spirit of our next generation of credit union leaders.

The League holds Philosophy in Action workshops to educate credit union staff on the seven cooperative principles and to emphasize collaboration.

The Southeastern Credit Union Foundation is dedicated to promoting financial literacy, offering professional development grants, providing disaster relief to credit unions and staff, and raising money for the Children’s Miracle Network. In 2014, the foundation awarded 27 Professional Development Scholarships totaling $29,825 for the CUNA GAC, State GACs, SCUCE, Southeast Supervisory Committee Conference, Hike the Hill, & YPG events.

THE SECUF & CO-OP PARTNERED TO DONATE A BOX SET OF BIZ KID$ DVDS FOR ALL NINE CMN HOSPITALS IN ALABAMA & FLORIDA.

29 CREDIT UNION STAFF WERE TRAINED TO BE FINANCIAL COUNSELORS BY COMPLETING THE FICEP/REAL SOLUTIONS PROGRAM.

The League hosted a group of Costa Rican credit unions in Florida to help them understand lobbying, messaging, and day-to-day operations of credit unions. The group visited credit unions, met with Gov. Rick Scott's staff, and toured the state capitol. The League has had a relationship with Costa Rican credit unions for nine years.

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Communications The LSCU strives to be credit unions' first source of industry news and information. By working with the media, the League places credit union friendly stories in local newspapers.

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2015

Cooperative Image Campaign Task Force formed in Alabama & Florida to help establish campaign.

New shareable content ads to be produced for the campaign.

2011-2014 Alabama credit unions added

in assets, Florida credit unions added in assets.

First wave of campaign airs with credit union awareness rising 8 percent.

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Second wave of campaign airs with credit union Cooperative awareness rising 27 percent.

Image Campaign

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Concentrated on Don’t Tax My Credit Union. Produced two radio ads.

2011- 2014 2014 Third wave of

Alabama credit unions added 120,000 new members, Florida credit unions added 250,000 new members.

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campaign airs with 183,000 visits to www.betternameforbanking.com.

Increasing

Social Engagement

The League is looked upon as a leader among state leagues on multimedia and social media.

The League increased Twitter followers by 33 percent and Facebook followers by 50 percent in 2014. The League is a member of a credit union social media task force through CUNA and AACUL. The Communications team produced 43 original videos in 2014 and the “LSCU from the GAC” videos were honored with a CUNA Blockbuster award.

“The message of the Cooperative Image Campaign is making a difference with consumers. Alabama & Florida credit unions are seeing record growth, and the correlation of the campaign integrating with our marketing efforts has produced significant results. The more the credit union message is out there, the more consumers want to join.”

Mark Johnson, CEO, NAHEOLA Credit Union Demopolis, AL

Credit unions nationally passed the 100m member mark in 2014. Alabama & Florida credit unions helped by adding 370,000 in the past four years.

The Communications Department produced four mobile apps for LSCU & Affiliates Signature Events to enhance the experience for attendees.

Proactive media relation outreach puts credit unions in front of consumers in several different ways. The League placed 93 stories in trade publications and 58 stories in Alabama and Florida local media. More than eight million consumers were reached which is a 175 percent gain from 2013.

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LEVERAGE In 2010, the League Service Corporation rebranded to LEVERAGE. It is dedicated to the success of credit unions and the credit union industry by providing best-in-class products and services.

By doing business with LEVERAGE, a credit union is helping the LSCU to provide a high level of service to member credit unions.

LEVERAGE supports credit unions through sponsorships of chapter meetings, golf tournaments, lunch and learns, and meetings in Alabama and Florida.

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Last year, CUNA Mutual Group provided $2.2 million in marketing reimbursements to the LSCU & Affiliates.

LEVERAGE's CO-OP patronage dividend returned $108,000 to credit unions in 2014.

On average, credit unions participating in the CUVM contract management program save more than 200 hours/ $5,000 in employee expenses annually.

A D i vi si o n o f L E V E R A GE

Our audit and compliance consulting group continues to expand and now provides services to credit unions in Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Georgia.

In 2014, credit unions saved more than $700,000 on the purchase of office supplies with the Office Depot Cooperative Purchasing Program. “LEVERAGE devotes the time and resources necessary to identify best-in-class solutions and conduct due diligence on their vendor partners which saves our credit union time when evaluating new products. Combine this with the cost savings that result from taking advantage of the buying power of all participating credit unions and it makes LEVERAGE products a good fit for our credit union.�

LEVERAGE's reconstituted human resources consulting solution assists credit unions with recruiting/placement, background screens, confidential employee surveys, and salary administration.

Alabama and Florida credit unions earned more than $650,000 in marketing reimbursements through the Sprint Program in 2014.

LEVERAGE launched the Member Security Center in 2014 to help credit unions deepen their relationship with members and provide them security while on the internet.

Shane Nobbley, CEO, Family Security CU

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League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates

Yo u r A dv an ta g e

OF ALABAMA

For more information on affiliation with the LSCU, contact LSCU VP, Cooperative Initiatives Laura Vann at 866.231.0545 ext. 2181 or laura.vann@lscu.coop.

Alabama Office 22 Inverness Center Parkways, #200 Birmingham, AL 35242

Follow us on Twitter at: twitter.com/LeagueofSECUs

www.lscu.coop

Florida Office 3692 Coolidge Ct. Tallahassee, FL 32311

Like us on Facebook at: facebook.com/LeagueofSoutheasternCreditUnions