Roughly 450 finance leaders gathered in Anaheim, Calif., May 21-24 for the 2023 CUNA Finance Council Conference.
Pressures on liquidity and noninterest income dominated discussion, as well as credit unions’ readiness for the current expected credit losses (CECL) standard, which went into effect Jan. 1, for most credit unions.
Here are scenes from the conference:
A mix of finance and other leaders offered insights into budgeting. From left: Willis Chang, digital transformation officer at Kinecta Federal Credit Union; Brandon Smith, CEO at Reliant Federal Credit Union; Ashley Vandermause, chief financial officer (CFO) at UnitedOne Credit Union; and Jay Scungio, senior vice president (SVP)/CFO at Freedom Credit Union.
Succession planning will be a top priority for the next generation of CFOs, according to (from left) Jeff Welch, CFO at FORUM Credit Union; Laura Fielding, chief human resources officer at UnitedOne Credit Union; and Lindsey Myhre, executive vice president (EVP)/CFO at STCU.
It’s not just on CFOs to address liquidity pressures, says Amber Cisneros, chief member experience officer at Orange County’s Credit Union. She advises making people throughout the organization accountable for deposit growth. From left: Amy McGraw, vice president/chief experience officer at Tropical Financial Credit Union; Catherine Berman, co-founder/CEO at CNote; Cisneros; and Sam Das, managing director at TruStage Ventures.
Panelists discuss the finer points of CECL, including modeling techniques and implications for governance and ongoing operations. From left: Bud Hollenkampo, partner at FORVIS LLP; Alexis Fitzpatrick, EVP/CFO, SAFE Credit Union; Ed Lis, CFO, First Choice Financial Federal Credit Union; and Steve Arbaugh, CFO at SECU of Maryland.
Appearing via livestream, NCUA Board Member Rodney Hood praised credit unions’ strong loan, membership, and asset growth. Brad Barnes, CFO at Air Academy Credit Union, and Amy McGraw, vice president/chief experience officer at Tropical Financial Credit Union, moderated the session.
Bowling was right up attendees’ alley during Monday’s social event at Splitsville in the Downtown Disney District.
A panel of economists see earnings struggles, liquidity pressures, and high inflation ahead. From left: Amy McGraw, vice president/chief experience officer, Tropical Financial Credit Union; Christine Messer, CFO/SVP at Heritage Family Credit Union; Lindsey Piegza, chief economist at Stifel; Marisa DiNatale, senior director at Moody’s Analytics; and Bill Hampel, consultant at MDB Hampel LLC.
Songs have the power to change the way people think and feel, says speaker and author Lee Silber.
The conference registration area did brisk business on Sunday.
This was the last conference for CUNA Councils Senior Coordinator Deb Verdecchia before she retires. The CUNA Councils crew from left: Megan McKee, Jamie Wigand, Sunny Schomaker, Verdecchia, Cindy Parker, and David Rohn. We wish her the best.
Credit Union Rock Stars are outstanding credit union professionals and directors from a wide range of disciplines who inspire and innovate to advance the missions of their credit unions. The 25 members of the 11th class of Rock Stars were selected for their exceptional creativity, innovation, and passion.
