BankThink

I just read Frank Diekmann’s article, “Three Little Letters, GAC, Are Demanding Three More: ROI,” (CU Journal, March 10), and would like to offer my response. I agree with several of Mr. Diekmann’s points, and found his assumptions on the collective expenditures of CU folks interesting. Those are some big dollars, which reflect how much economic stimulus can be created by having a significant CU gathering.

Mark Meyer of the Filene Research Institute got his first taste that the speaker he had invited to address a breakfast hosted by the Institute would talk about what she darn-well pleased when he attempted to suggest some topics. The invited speaker made it clear: you won’t “censor me.”

I’d like to comment on the latest events taking place due to the Fed’s actions on interest rates, or the economy, whichever is easier to handle and write about. Everybody seems to have been waiting for this as an opportunity to improve profitability at their shop. Why not take this as an opportunity to improve your position in the market place, just as real estate lending CUSOs are pushing for in the lending arena?

Do the right thing. This is an elementary concept, yet many businesses have deviated from this basic principal. We in the credit union community need to bring this elementary concept back into our consciousness and become ethical leaders. The recent experience with sub-prime lenders and predatory lending demonstrates this need.

Is your new director faking it till he makes it?

How was the making of fraudulent construction loans in Florida by recently failed Colorado and Michigan credit unions consistent with the purpose of serving people of modest means?

Empowerment in the workplace is an often-misunderstood concept. Employee empowerment is a term that many managers and organizations think they understand, but few actually do, and even fewer really put into practice.

Have a problem or question you need resolved? Ask your question and get both the left and right perspective–left or right BRAIN that is. The left brain way of thinking is represented by Roger Ball, CEO of Call FCU, Richmond, Va., or as Kelley Parks calls him, the “bean-counting, bottom-line driven, fact-finding, never-ending filibuster.” The right brain way of thinking is represented by Parks, VP of Marketing & Business Development at Call FCU, or, as Roger calls her, the “creative, head-in-the-clouds, wishy-washy insomniac.”

This letter is in response to the March 3, 2008 editorial by JoAnn Johnson, chairman of the National Credit Union Administration, defending the agency’s ongoing rulemaking regarding the conversion of a credit union to the mutual savings bank charter. The editorial was titled: “Why NCUA Has Focused On The Rights Of Members As Owners,” (CU Journal, March 3).

CUJ Reader Question: I have a hard time getting certain people on my management team to buy into my ideas. They just seem to be stuck in the past. How can I turn them into believers?