Bill Cheney

NEW (Nonprofit Enterprise at Work) is doing great things in SE Michigan! Applications for the 2024-25 cohort of "Champions for Change" are now open. In Champions for Change, leaders from across the social sector in SE Michigan can grow in their abilities to lead from their values. Champions will uncover the implicit and explicit ways race has impacted their lived-experiences. They'll practice dialogue across diverse aspects of identity. And they'll conspire with others to spur change towards racial co-liberation.

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Víctor shares some extremely sage insights that we as an industry should sit up and pay attention to: “ Credit unions have the values, the community focus, and the potential to lead the charge in financial health and inclusion. But to do so, they must be relentless in their pursuit of relevance. They must recognize that the young, multicultural market is not just another segment—it is the future”

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This is a great six-minute read on creating an empowerment culture for bank leaders. The four key elements are trust, open communication, support, and autonomy.

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Thanks to Chris Nichols and SouthState Bank for sharing valuable insights on the origins and evolution of time deposits. I love this quote in the article "As the legacy knowledge of deposit gathering is passed down from generation to generation of banker, some of the finer points of liability structuring are getting diluted with some knowledge just plain forgotten about." In the current landscape, bankers must adapt their deposit structuring and pricing strategies to avoid unproductive, reactive measures. It's crucial to move away from the "Whack-A-Mole" approach that many have resorted to since the Fed's interest rate adjustments in March 2022. It's time for banks of all sizes to embrace a more strategic and informed approach to optimizing their deposit processes, products, and pricing. By studying and implementing the deposit best practices checklist, professionals can enhance their overall deposit management strategies. Check out the interest-bearing deposit best practices checklist here: https://lnkd.in/gFvngEFP #Banking #Finance #DepositManagement #BankingStrategies #FinancialInsights

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"Community banking plays an important role in fueling the local economy, according to Andrew Ryback, president and CEO of Plumas Bank." Learn more about how using community banks is "just like shopping locally" in this article from The Plumas Sun. #CommunityBank #SupportLocal #Community #Nevada #California https://lnkd.in/gNvNvKrb

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In celebration of International Credit Union Day on Oct. 17, ICUL is proud to stand with American Association of Credit Union Leagues & America's Credit Unions to promote "One World Through Cooperative Finance." 🌟 This year's theme highlights the power of #creditunions in advancing financial inclusion worldwide. 🌎 Read AACUL's press release to learn more about how they're coming together in this global movement: https://ow.ly/8X8C50Tme9W.

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Here’s another way you can help support DIAPER BANK OF NORTH CAROLINA

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Bank of America released its 2024 Women & Minority Business Owner Spotlight, which analyzes the aspirations and concerns of small and mid-sized business owners with specific insights on women and minority entrepreneurs. Check it out: https://bit.ly/4h0WG3s

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Why bank with a local community bank? Our CEO, Brian Nicklason, explains the difference between several types of financial institutions, highlighting the impact locally owned community banks have on the communities they serve. Read more: https://lnkd.in/grizrhk8

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At credit unions, every board member is a volunteer - an interesting fact that really shaped the industry in the early days. Even the largest credit unions in the country have volunteer Boards. Credit unions were established as member-owned cooperatives in the Federal Credit Union Act of 1934. Volunteer boards align with their core cooperative principles - democratic member control and economic participation. Despite increased complexity, assumed level of liability, and possible regulator scrutiny, the Board members remain as volunteers in 2025. A few of the strengths of this model include member-focused decisions, deep community ties, and alignment on the overall credit union mission. There’s also challenges with a volunteer Board, such as limited director availability and perhaps expertise gaps. Yet volunteer boards remain core to credit unions' identity. It’s also interesting to note that while nearly all publicly traded banks have compensated Boards, there are smaller, community-focused banks that also have volunteer Boards similar to credit unions. For perspective, JP Morgan individual Board members earned over $345,000 in 2023. So, in 2025 – does this model hold up? (To clarify – I used “credit union” and “federal credit union” interchangeably) #CreditUnions #MemberOwned #VolunteerLeadership

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We’re proud to announce our strategic alliance with pocketnest, a leader in digital innovation for financial services. This partnership marks a major step forward in empowering credit unions across the country to better serve their members. Together, CU WealthNext and Pocketnest are redefining financial wellness - making it more accessible, impactful, and aligned with the needs of credit unions members. Here’s to innovation and collaboration that drives lasting change. #FinancialEmpowerment #CreditUnions #WealthTech #Partnerships #Innovation

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Seez President Michele Stone recently shared 6 foundational strategies to build credit union member-centricity at the Marketing Association of Credit Unions (MAC) Conference. Member-centricity is the path to lasting success. 👉 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/edyyCCjd #CreditUnions #MemberCentricity #FinancialServices #GrowthStrategies

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Why bank with a local community bank? Our CEO, Brian Nicklason, explains the difference between several types of financial institutions, highlighting the impact locally owned community banks have on the communities they serve. Read more: https://lnkd.in/g3Q_N3YS

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As a prominent Community Development Financial Institution certified by the U.S. Treasury's CDFI Fund, we recognize our responsibility to strengthen our longstanding banking relationships and collaborate effectively on initiatives that address critical community needs. This certification aligns with our mission-driven approach to community development and underscores our commitment to supporting underserved populations and uplifting communities. By providing financing to those who may not have access to traditional banking services, we aim to foster economic growth and empowerment. We aspire to lead the industry toward a broader landscape of impact investing, where capital market solutions and public funding converge to amplify the transformative work of CDFIs nationwide. #FinancialInclusion #ImpactInvesting #CommunityDevelopment

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🌟 Moderator Announcement! 🌟 We're excited to introduce Ms. Dawne E. Williams , CEO of the First Federal Co-operative Credit Union, as the moderator for the Discussion on Credit Union Regulations at the OECS Conference. Expect an insightful session on regulatory frameworks shaping the future of credit unions! 📊⚖️ #OECSConference #CreditUnionRegulations #FinancialLeadership #CooperativeGovernance #CreditUnionCompliance

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For my business owner/manager friends... The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is cutting interest rates.  Is your business prepared for the coming changes? Comerica’s Lupe Ramirez, Sr. Commercialization Manager for Liquidity and Treasury Management, provides insight on steps you can take to make sure your business is ready when interest rates drop. Get the insights here: https://bit.ly/3XtBuKl Member FDIC. #ComericaBank #InterestRates #SmallBusiness

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𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: "Build, Grow, and Thrive" : the mantra of Wellby Financial On the Women of Community Banking Podcast, I had an insightful conversation with Monique Robertson-Gunter, Chief Experience Officer of Wellby Financial. We explored the future of credit unions and their role in being the right place to serve the next generation of HENRYs—High Earners Not Yet Rich consumers. Monique shared her thoughts on how Wellby focuses on "Prosperity" This conversation is a must-listen for anyone interested in how credit unions can innovate and remain mission-driven while connecting with younger, aspirational demographics. #Leadership #CreditUnions #HENRYConsumers #Innovation #WomenInBanking #Podcast

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