PayThink

I've worked in the credit union industry for over 30 years. For the past 20 years I have been making this case about credit union accounting terminology. The reception for the ideas have been mixed-maybe it's that I'm talking about accounting or maybe it's my New York accent, but the general message has been "go away."

Resolving problems builds loyalty, right? False! False!! False!!! Nothing erodes loyalty more than experiencing a perceived problem or error in the financial and health care industries.

Asked of attendees at CUDL's Annual Meeting In Las Vegas

There's a lot of talk about branding in credit union circles these days. That's because there's a lot of pressure on growth in the financial services industry. The end of the mortgage boom has everyone from banks to mortgage companies scrambling for dollars. And they're throwing around cash, cruises, award points and more in an effort to grab new accounts. Credit unions are fighting for growth in assets and membership in what might be the most competitive marketplace in decades.

Cultivating a corporate culture of engaged employees results in great benefits to your credit union.

Maybe they were just mad they didn't get a mint.

Many credit unions have implemented various document imaging systems over the past few years to stave off the increasing costs of paper-retention and improve member service. In doing so, however, many of these same CUs may unwittingly be putting themselves at risk due to inadequate document-retention policies and lack of a formal business continuity process.

Be afraid. Be very afraid. They're out there, walking among us. Well-organized hordes of fraudsters roaming your online banking channel like the undead, often unseen and unheard until it's too late. Their greatest advantage is invisibility-their uncanny ability to blend in among your honest online members as they consume credentials, identities and eventually assets. But what if you could shine the light of day on these phantom visitors and reveal their surreptitious, shadowy methods?

I tried be polite about it, to tell him no thanks, but he had formerly worked as a time-share salesman and was keenly skilled at not taking "no" for an answer. He invited me in again, and once more I declined. His response was subtle and smooth; I was balking, he kept talking, and soon we were both walking toward the room he had been coaxing me all along to enter-was that his arm around my shoulder gently pushing me or was it some sort of apparition?

During the Halloween season we all see the warnings about what is a Trick and what is a Treat. These educational messages are meant to alert us to those things that might seem enjoyable but, in reality, are really scary. When I see these warnings I am reminded how in the world of information security it seems like new tricks come out everyday.