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Corporate Connection E-Magazine

Corporate Connection is our quarterly e-magazine that features information on our latest happenings and hottest services. If you want an insider look at what’s going on at Vizo Financial, Corporate Connection is a must-read! Check it out now!

2024 Board Election Update

‘Tis the season for an election, and we’re not talking about the one in November! No, we’re here to give a quick update on our 2024 board of directors election!


The petition for nominations for the Vizo Financial 2024 board election expired on April 15, 2024, with no new nominations being submitted. The nominating committee submitted three nominees to fill the three open seats on our board of directors.

According to our bylaws, the election of directors is by plurality vote, except where there is only one nominee for a vacant position. As this is the case this year, we will not need a formal voting process and the candidates will simply be approved during the virtual Annual Meeting on June 18, 2024.

As a reminder, nominations are not allowed from the floor during the Annual Meeting, unless sufficient nominations have not been made to provide one nominee for each vacant position, or circumstances prevent the candidacy of a nominee for a vacant position.

Therefore, at this time, the three candidates who will be confirmed as directors during our Annual Meeting are as follows:

  • Daniel Berry (incumbent), CEO, Duke University Federal Credit Union, Durham, N.C.
  • Paul Hughes (incumbent), president/CEO, Greenville Federal Credit Union, Greenville, S.C.
  • Jerry King (incumbent), president/CEO, DEXSTA Federal Credit Union, Wilmington, Del.

We’ve also launched our Annual Meeting website, which is your go-to place for more information regarding the 2024 board election, biographies of the candidates, important dates to remember and more.

On that note, make sure to attend our Annual Meeting in June to get the official election results and join in on other important discussions. See the Upcoming Events article below for more details. And, as always, thank you all for your continued support of Vizo Financial!

Did You Know: Credit Unions are Talking About Our Core Solution!

There is no shortage of core solutions out there. From the big names in the core game to the less well-known companies, the options are plentiful. One such option is the CU*BASE system through CUaxis, the core community formed by the collaborative partnership of Vizo Financial, MY CU Services and CU*Answers.

This flexible and robust system is already used by 350+ credit unions in the U.S. One of those credit unions is Pennsylvania-based Lesco Federal Credit Union, and we invite you to read about their experience with CU*BASE in this case study. So, without further ado, let’s take a core journey with Lesco FCU…

Beyond the Platform: A Core Built for Partnerships, Not Just Processing

CU*BASE Core Case Study with Lesco FCU

From processing transactions and balancing accounts to storing member data and making loan decisions, every single piece of credit union operations hinges on one thing – a core processing system. When viewed through this lens, it’s almost an understatement to say that the core system is the most crucial component of these community-driven financial institutions.

At the same time, a core solution is also the biggest expense and most complex system a credit union utilizes. That presents the true dichotomy credit unions are faced with when the time comes to choose whether to renew a contract or start looking for a new core. And it’s that very choice Pennsylvania-based institution, Lesco Federal Credit Union (Latrobe, Pa., $98 million), had to face when their core contract was up and they learned their platform through Fiserv was going to be sunsetted.

The Search for a Core

“The core system is the nervous system, the brain – everything that we really rely on to operate. It’s critical,” said Neal Fenton, CEO of Lesco FCU.

With that in mind, the credit union began their search for another core option. The marketplace can be an overly saturated and overwhelming place, with core providers ranging from big names – like Fiserv and Jack Henry – to smaller organizations. “It was a very competitive process. Since we had been on Fiserv forever, we really had no feel for what was out there,” said Fenton.

After doing ample research and due diligence, the credit union identified their top candidates. “We narrowed it down to three core data providers,” said Fenton. “Fiserv was one, because that was our existing one. CU*Answers was a new one, along with ShareTech. We did a pretty good, extensive review of all the platforms with our staff, and we found that we felt the best of everything was with CU*Answers and CU*BASE.”

Making the Call

CU*BASE is a core solution owned by CU*Answers, a credit union service organization (CUSO). Lesco FCU joined the CU*BASE core through CUaxis, a core community created through the partnership between CU*Answers, Vizo Financial and MY CU Services.

For the team at Lesco FCU, there were four big components that impacted their decision to move forward with CUaxis and the CU*BASE core: the cost, the conversion process, the level of support and the provider’s reputation.

Cost

A core solution is a large expense for any credit union, but particularly for small and mid-sized institutions. And as a necessary piece of the puzzle for daily operations, core processing is a high priority item in any credit union’s budget considerations.

“The system is technically equivalent, if not better, than the competition. But their price point is way lower. The cost savings is significant,” said Fenton.

Not only was the credit union pleased to see that the CU*BASE system was going to be a much more cost-effective solution for their bottom line, but they were also made aware of the rationale behind the associated price tag. “The costs are much more transparent. They gave us a history of the costs and everything, so you know that they’re doing their due diligence in offering the CU*BASE product, yet really considering the cost.”

Conversion

To Fenton and the Lesco FCU team, the conversion process and implementation of CU*BASE also proved to be a reasonable experience, considering the extensive time and resource commitment that comes along with such an undertaking.

“As far as the implementation, there’s no way around it – it’s a very challenging experience. But I think, in general, CU*Answers’ approach in terms of a core conversion is pretty good,” expressed Fenton. “There’s a lot of upfront training and information as you’re coming into the conversion. The conversion week, you have a team there.”

Core conversions are complicated in nature, but with the dedication of the CUaxis team, Lesco FCU was able to make the transition to the CU*BASE system with minimal disruption.

“They kind of differentiated themselves in the marketplace by offering to take all your calls to a call center. That was big for us because then our member service reps could concentrate on in-lobby transactions with the team from CU*Answers and CUaxis helping them.”

Support

And the support Lesco FCU experienced during the conversion process was only the tip of the iceberg. As a core solution backed by the cooperative partnership between Vizo Financial, MY CU Services and CU*Answers, CU*BASE has a plethora of support resources available to users 24/7/365, including on-demand training, access to exclusive educational opportunities, group buying power and an entire community of credit unions also utilizing the system. All of these avenues of support are designed to give credit unions a competitive edge in the tempestuous financial industry.

Provider Reputation

But there was another factor that contributed to their choice – the good name of the core provider themselves. With CU*BASE already being utilized by over 350 credit unions ranging in assets from under $1 million to more than $1 billion, CU*Answers has a solid foothold in the credit union movement.

“The other thing that kind of turned the tide for us is that fact that CU*Answers is a CUSO,” shared Fenton. “They understand that mission and that aspect of doing business, and that was an advantage. It wasn’t just like they’re a CUSO – they talk the talk. In everything they do, they have their credit unions in mind.”

Add to that the names of Vizo Financial and MY CU Services – two other well-known entities in the credit union world – and the entire CUaxis team carries a strong reputation for service, innovation, expertise and reliability.

“It’s very apparent that they are continuously improving, so that’s only going to benefit us,” said Fenton. “CU*Answers is always looking to keep the CU*BASE core system state-of-the-art, and that certainly helps us compete with the big boys out there.”

Additional Benefits

For Lesco FCU, all of these factors – and more – were imperative in choosing a core system to help the credit union achieve not just their typical operational tasks, but also their overall growth, relevance and sustainability. Aside from their main considerations, Lesco FCU gained additional benefits from choosing CU*BASE as its core.

“The CU*BASE system integrates with our online banking and the mobile app. Prior to that, ours was kind of fragmented and segmented and we were getting charged a lot for integration,” Fenton explained. “But now, CU*BASE has the total package with the It’s Me 24/7 online banking and mobile app, and that’s probably one of the biggest things we’ve seen.”

Another improvement for Lesco FCU was the depth and power of reporting capabilities through CU*BASE. “It’s very powerful and very extensive both on the reporting side as well as data mining and giving you information about your members and tendencies in terms of the marketing world,” said Fenton.

A Partnership for the Present and Future

CU*BASE may be a core system, but for Lesco FCU, it’s more than that. It became a stepping stone to building a partnership beyond the typical credit union-core provider relationship.

“CUaxis transforms themselves from a third-party vendor to a partner,” said Fenton. “It’s different from just a third-party vendor that is there for that transactional relationship because they are so helpful and because they have our operations in mind.”

Fenton and his team continue to enjoy the quality of service and opportunities for collaboration with the CUaxis team, as well as the flexibility, modern technology and efficiency of the CU*BASE solution – a position that will serve their operations and member experience well into the future.

Focus Spotlight: Make ALM Simple Again

Simple balance sheet management – does that even exist in today’s financial world? The answer is no…and yes. Confused? Don’t be…let us explain.


It’s true that simplicity is not often a word we think of when it comes to asset liability management (ALM). In fact, just the opposite is true. With rates at a critical point and balance sheets that are increasingly complex, the process of ALM is actually quite complicated. Unless…

Unless, of course, you have ALM experts on your side, ready and waiting with the tools to support your ALM modeling and validation needs. And you can find all of these things at Vizo Financial.

ALM Modeling

Our ALM Direct modeling solution can provide your credit union with a trusted resource to process your data and perform modeling while also giving you the ability to test rate strategies or perform what-if scenarios whenever needed.

ALM Direct is an internet-based solution that provides you with the advantages of both an in-house and outsourced modeling solution. We will provide the processing and analysis of your results, as well as perform “what-if” income simulations to help you plan.

Benefits to your credit union:

  • Model processing and report production
  • ALCO-friendly summary analysis
  • Unlimited “what-if” analyses
  • Optional custom liquidity reporting

ALM Model Validation

You enter your data, run your ALM models and get the results. Now what? Does the analysis look accurate? Are your assumptions what they need to be? The best way to double-check your results is through model validation.

Vizo Financial’s comprehensive model validation services examine data inputs, assumptions, model processing, model reports and policies. We provide your credit union with a report of all findings and suggested recommendations to improve your model. Additionally, we take time to make sure you understand the suggestions with a follow-up call because we never want you to have to second guess your finances.

ALM Experts

The best part of our ALM services isn’t the software or the convenience. Sure, those things are nice, but the backbone of our solution is our ALM team. These are the people who work with your credit union to analyze data, build models, interpret results and help you truly understand your balance sheet. Our team is dedicated to providing fast, accurate and personalized service. It’s what your credit union deserves, and it means the best results for your bottom line.

When you consider Vizo Financial’s ALM solutions, don’t just think about the technical side of things. Keep in mind that you get something even better – a support system made up of experienced individuals who not only understand the ins and outs of ALM, but who also care about the success of your credit union.

While it’s true that balance sheet management is no longer simple, the decision to come to Vizo Financial for your ALM needs just might be. Contact us at almservices@vfccu.org to learn more about our ALM services!

2023 Annual Report and 2024 Compliance Package Now Available

Vizo Financial is pleased to announce that our 2023 Annual Report is now available on Zephyr and the Financials page of our website.

In addition, Vizo Financial’s 2024 compliance package is also available via Zephyr, our online member access network.

The compliance package includes the following documents:

  • Application Program Summary
  • BSA, AML, OFAC Program Summary
  • Business Continuity Program Summary
  • Cybersecurity Program Summary
  • Vendor Management Program Summary
  • Zephyr Security Controls Program Summary
  • ACH Audit Letter
  • Federal Reserve Bank Attestation Letter
  • Annual Report
  • SOC 1 Type II Report
  • SOC 2 Type II Report
  • Proof of Insurance

We understand that credit unions need access to our corporate compliance package to fulfill their due diligence process; however, as a reminder, due to the sensitive information within the package, we do not send this package via email.

Credit unions must access Vizo Financial's compliance package from Zephyr. All Zephyr users have access to the compliance package, which can be found under the Documents tab on the left-hand menu. For your convenience, each of the compliance package documents are also available individually in the Vizo Financial Vendor Due Diligence section.

Holiday Closings

Holiday Closings

Vizo Financial will be closed in observance of the following upcoming holidays:

Monthly Financials Now Available

Monthly Financials Now Available



Nacha’s New Risk Management Framework: A Swift Response to Credit-Push Fraud

Andi Crockett, product manager/EFT, Vizo Financial/MY CU Services


Taylor Swift isn’t the only one who has reinvented herself multiple times…so has our infamous friend, fraud. Just like the evolution from Fearless to Midnights, fraud has shifted from mostly unauthorized ACH debits from an individual’s account to authorized ACH credits from someone’s account. These authorized credits, also known as credit-push payments, typically result from a person falling victim to a social engineering scheme, which has a Reputation to include anything from business email compromise (BEC) to account takeovers. In some instances, these schemes can also include a bad actor impersonating a vendor, Lover, government agency, etc.

Now, this isn’t to say that unauthorized debits are no longer an issue, they most certainly are; although, Nacha’s previous frameworks included certain initiatives that resulted in a decrease of incidents, in part due to an increase in the awareness of these attempts. However, in this new era, bad actors are becoming more skilled at convincing people to fall for a scheme and, as a result, authorize a payment they wouldn’t normally authorize. In response to this evolution in payments fraud, Nacha crafted a new Risk Management Framework that specifically targets credit-push fraud.

Nacha’s Risk Management Framework Overview:

Similar to previous frameworks, the goals for the new Risk Management Framework are “to increase awareness of fraud schemes that utilize credit-push payments, reduce the incidence of successful fraud attempts and improve the recovery of funds after frauds have occurred.”

Throughout the document, Nacha states that education about these schemes and cooperation among all parties involved are key. Think about it…it’s one thing if your debit/credit card is used without your knowledge or someone steals your account information. It’s hard to prevent something that you didn’t know was happening or was going to happen. However, it’s an entirely different situation when you knowingly authorized a payment, and it turns out that you fell victim to a fraud scheme. People typically feel a lot more shame and embarrassment from the latter, and when people are Red with shame, they’re less likely to talk about it. That’s why it’s so important to encourage your members to Speak (up) Now instead of waiting until later. If your institution doesn’t realize that these credit-push fraud schemes are occurring, then your financial institution is going to be less likely to be able to prevent them and your other members could fall victim to the same fraudulent attempts.

Once you are aware of these issue, your credit union should also communicate with other financial institutions about what is going on. This is when the “collaboration among cooperative” principle comes into play. If your credit union had a member who fell victim to a scheme, warn your credit union peers so that they can inform their members about the potential fraud attempts that are circling. If you’re not sure how to warn your other credit union peers while also keeping your member’s sensitive data safe, Nacha encourages you to utilize the Risk Management Portal and the ACH Contact Registry to spread the word about fraud issues and other pertinent information. As a reminder, it’s best practice to keep your list in the ACH Contact Registry updated, and make sure to review it at least once a year, but the more often, the better.

Nacha’s Point of View on RDFIs and Credit-Push Fraud:

When it comes to payments and the ACH network, the Receiving Depository Financial Institutions (RDFIs) usually take on a more passive role, but in this recent Framework, Nacha notes that credit-push payments can be more easily identified by the receiving institution. That’s because, in order for a credit-push fraud attempt to be successful, the bad actor must have an account at the institution that the payment is being sent to. Nacha added that these types of accounts are typically “newly opened or mule accounts with limited history and activity,” as opposed to an account opened in say, 1989, and once the payments post to the account, it will likely be transferred to another account quite quickly. Knowing this, it’s easy to see why RDFIs have a special role to play when it comes to credit-push fraud. Nacha encourages these institutions to actively use their experience in searching for abnormal account activity and put it towards also identifying any potential credit-push fraud situations.

On the Horizon:

With all this being said, there is hope on the horizon. Nacha’s Risk Management Advisory Group (RMAG) stated that in the future, there are a couple of ways they believe Nacha can help successfully return funds that have been sent due to a credit-push fraud attempt.

First, a potential return code could be created to allow an RDFI to reject the fraudulent funds and send them back to the Originating Depository Financial Institution (ODFI). RMAG also noted that “allowing returns of partial amounts using the ACH Network is another option that would improve the recovery of funds after fraud has occurred.”

In time — and with the help of Nacha, RDFIs, members and everyone else in the financial industry, along with education, cooperation and awareness — there is hope that credit-push fraud could be significantly reduced, maybe even to the point where it becomes an urban legend - or financial industry Folklore. But, in the meantime, with Evermore risk infiltrating payments, specifically ACH, it's imperative for credit unions to recognize how they can utilize Nacha's risk management framework to better protect their members and institution. So, take Swift action and have your ACH staff familiarize themselves with the framework because you never know when a credit-push fraud attempt might impact your members. Are you Ready for It?

Security Corner: Considering Artificial Intelligence? Consider the Risks As Well

Talk to any risk professional about artificial intelligence (AI), and they’ll all say the same thing…it’s always a loaded topic. Sure, it can be great in making things easier for your credit union, but is it worth the risk? On the flipside, are the risks enough to outweigh the time and resources spent where AI could be of help?


See? AI is one of those polarizing technologies that keeps many risk management professionals on the fence. That’s why Vizo Financial is hosting a session about it at our upcoming Risk Management Conference (if you’ll be attending, we can’t wait to see you!), and why it’s also been a topic of discussion on our blog.

The article, written by our enterprise risk management director, Belinda Mumma, starts out like this:

Oil and water, or peanut butter and jelly? Wait…that is the question?

Sure, it may not be as timeless and eloquent a thought as William Shakespeare’s “to be or not to be?” But it is, undoubtedly, a loaded question for risk management professionals when it comes to the use of artificial intelligence (AI), a technology that is slowly but surely creeping into every aspect of our lives, including business.

Think of all the data your institution deals with on a day-to-day basis, the various systems you use to complete transactions and the vendors you utilize to access those systems. Consider all the new regulations being released each year and the plethora of security threats that find their way to your institution. When it comes to AI, you can certainly create efficiencies and streamline the process of enterprise risk management (ERM)…but is the cost worth the price?

In the risk world, AI requires a certain tactical approach. You must ask yourself – when it comes to forecasting threats, preparing plans, maintaining vendor relationships and creating policies – does AI complement or detract from your credit union’s ERM program? As with any tools you may decide to explore, the only way to be sure that AI is going to play nice (or not) with your ERM standards is to do your due diligence and perform your own risk assessment.

To read more from Belinda’s article, Do ERM and AI Play Nice?, head over to the Vizo Financial blog now! Want more articles like this? Subscribe to our blog and have them sent directly to your inbox!


Plugged In

Plugged In

Latest Blog Posts, Podcast Episodes & Webinar Recordings:

Thank You New Users

Thank You New Users

Thank you to the credit unions and organizations that recently began using the following services...


Community Involvement

Vizo Financial continues to make a positive difference in our local communities. Here’s what we’ve been doing over the past few months:


Financial Reality Fairs

Vizo Financial provided a sponsorship that covered five Financial Reality Fairs hosted by several credit unions in the Greater Reading, Pa., area. Vizo Financial employees also volunteered at some of the events, including the fair at Hamburg Area High School in Hamburg, Pa. on March 13.

In addition, some we had staff members donated their time to reality fairs in March at Central Valley High School in Monaca, Pa. (hosted by New Alliance FCU and West-Aircomm FCU), as well as William Penn High School in York, Pa., which was hosted by York Educational FCU.

Financial Reality Fairs are an interactive financial education exercise for students. This hands-on experience allows students to identify their career choice and starting salaries, then complete a budget sheet requiring them to live within their monthly salary while paying for basics such as housing, utilities, transportation, clothing and food. Additional expenditures such as entertainment and travel are factored in as well. Vizo Financial is always happy to participate in these reality fairs as a means of promoting financial literacy within our communities.

Toy Drop for Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals

Our SVP/chief investment officer volunteered with CMN Hospitals for Duke Children’s in North Carolina. He worked with Duke Children’s Specialty Services in Greensboro, N.C., to deliver donated toys and help bring joy to the patients and families served by this satellite Duke Children’s office.

Daffodil Days for American Cancer Society

Vizo Financial employees at all of our campuses had the opportunity to purchase real or virtual daffodils in support of Daffodil Days for the American Cancer Society. Three employees from the Pittsburgh campus also volunteered to assist in distributing daffodils at two locations in March. In total, Vizo Financial raised over $500 for this amazing cause!

Encouragement Cards

On March 26, Vizo Financial staff gathered to write encouragement cards to residents at local nursing homes and assisted living facilities. These cards helped to brighten the days of the residents.

Here’s what’s coming up:

Walk for Children’s

Vizo Financial is once again sponsoring this year’s Walk for Children’s event to benefit Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, which is a CMN Hospital. The event is being held in person at Schenley Park in Pittsburgh, Pa., as well as virtually, on Saturday, June 8. This event has been raising money and awareness for the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh since 2016 and has brought in over $6.5 million for medical education, Child Life resources, social work and music and art therapies, among other things. Last year alone, the event raised more than $1 million. Good luck to all the walkers (or runners, skippers, etc.) – including some of our staff – who will be participating in the Walk for Children’s event this year!

11th Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest

We’re already rolling on the preparations for our 11th annual Hot Dog Eating Contest for CMN Hospitals at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital in Hershey, Pa. The hospital is an organization dedicated to providing care and support to children and their families. Our donations and support help them continue serving children in need. The contest – which has raised nearly $60,000 for Penn State Health Children’s Hospital – will once again be virtual, so we are welcoming credit unions across the country to join in the fun as contestants, sponsors and supporters of CMN Hospitals on July 18, 2024.

So, save the date and make plans to join us for this fun-filled event to help raise money and awareness for CMN Hospitals at Penn State Health Children's Hospital! Registration will be ready soon…stay tuned!

Second Quarter 2024 Education Sessions

Vizo Financial’s education sessions for the second quarter of 2024 are:


Offer Education Loans to Your Members with Sallie Mae

Karie Bedford, Sallie Mae
April 18 at 10:00 a.m. ET

Now is the time to start preparing for the rush of students - many of them your members - searching for education loans. As college tuition costs continue to rise, more students are in need of private education loans to help fund the gap between financial aid and college expenses. With the education loans from Sallie Mae, in partnership with Vizo Financial, your credit union members can choose from three in-school repayment options to help them pay off their loans faster and save more money compared to the conventional private loan.

Register Now


Overdraft Going Forward: How Do I Keep Some of My Overdraft Income While Keeping Members Happy?

Jon Weisblatt, VP, corporate and business development, DoubleCheck
April 30 at 10:00 a.m. ET

The CFPB and NCUA are pressing hard for overdraft changes. Credit union leaders across the country are weighing their options. They want to provide members with better service, but they want to do it in a way that doesn’t wreck their profit and loss (P&L). In this session, we’ll review how putting full transparency, control and a fairer fee structure in the hands of members can make members happy, preserve income and satisfy the spirit of what regulators are looking for.

Register Now


Planning & Implementing Commercial Deposits and Services

Mike Smith, VP, senior business services officer, CU Business Group, LLC
May 16 at 2:00 p.m. ET

Thinking of offering business accounts or enhancing your current business deposit program? Looking for ideas on growing your commercial deposit base? In this session, we will discuss common issues and hurdles you will face, how to thoughtfully plan for growth and ways to develop and implement strategies that will make your business deposit services program more successful.

Register Now


Regulations for All Payment Systems

Jessica Lelii, director of education, Macha/PAR
May 21 at 2:00 p.m. ET

The rules and regulations that govern the United States payments systems exist to protect both financial institutions and their account holders – and there are so many of them! This is your opportunity to learn about how the rules and regulations for ACH, checks, cards and wire transfers intersect or diverge.

Register Now


NCUA’s New Guidance For Model Risk Management And Validation Webinar

Mike Umscheid, president/CEO, ARCSys
May 28 at 2:00 p.m. ET

The NCUA's guidance, outlined in their "Supervisory Committee Audit Minimum Procedures Guide Addendum," emphasizes the importance of model risk management and validation in conducting thorough and independent validations of CECL models. The addendum’s objective is to ensure the accuracy, reliability and appropriateness of these models in estimating credit losses. By adhering to this guidance, credit unions can enhance their risk management practices and maintain compliance with regulatory requirements.

Register Now


Give Your Credit Union Direction With The Compass Of Critical Security Controls Webinar

John Cuneo, VP, information security, Vizo Financial
May 30 at 2:00 p.m. ET

Throughout history, the compass has served as a tool for guidance and direction. It was helpful during the days of westward expansion and epic expeditions, and it’s still the case now…even in the age of technology and cybersecurity. In the modern risk world, we can continue to use the idea of a compass to point credit unions in the direction of proper and effective security management. In this session, we will be discussing how a review of your CIS security controls, as well as other common security practices, can guide you to your intended destination – an information security program that is all-encompassing of your potential risks and vulnerabilities, and allows you to stay the course, even when perilous situations arise.

Register Now


Tabletop Exercise – Threats to Your Credit Union

Mark Clarke, business continuity administrator, Vizo Financial
June 5 at 2:00 p.m. ET

A tabletop exercise is a walk-through of emergency procedures with your credit union’s key personnel about what could happen in a real-life incident. This live tabletop will test your credit union’s plans with a “mock” real-world example. How will your team handle the situation? Are you prepared?

This tabletop session is designed for multiple credit union team members to participate together. The session will break periodically for 5 to 10-minute intervals to allow time for team discussion regarding the tabletop scenario. The goal of this exercise is to test the effectiveness and efficiency of the team and your credit union’s security and risk plans.

Register Now


Road to Recovery: Return Requests and Reversals

Jessica Lelii, director of education, Macha/PAR
June 13 at 2:00 p.m. ET

We are currently living in the era of authorized credit-push fraud…a.k.a., scams! As an ODFI, you must understand your rights and responsibilities to know what steps to take and attempt to minimize unnecessary loss. RDFIs need to understand what is permissible and what is not. In this session, we will explore when to use a reversal and when to use a request for return of funds.

Register Now


Quarterly Economic Insights Webinar

Scott Wood, SVP/chief investment officer, Vizo Financial
June 27 at 2:00 p.m. ET

We can all agree that the economy and the markets are unpredictable. So, what can we do? We can use the insights we have through trends, expert opinions, past performance in similar situations and so on to make educated predictions. That’s what these quarterly sessions are all about – sharing our insights to help your credit union achieve financial fortitude, regardless of what may actually happen in the future.

Register Now


Upcoming Events

Vizo Financial will be hosting the following events for credit unions. Please register for any of our events on the Upcoming Events page of our website.


Financial Strategies Workshops

May 8, 2024 - DoubleTree by Hilton Pittsburgh Cranberry – Pittsburgh, Pa.

Some may think that credit union finance is just about crunching numbers, moving assets and a bunch of other monotonous tasks – but you know better. Of course, it’s about all those things, but it’s also about playing the game – the very intricate and interrelated tug-of-war involving interest rates, market trends, economic performance and many other contributing factors. And that game, above all else, requires good strategy to keep your credit union well-positioned for success.

Vizo Financial’s 2024 Financial Strategies Workshops are back to give your credit union those strategies to manage your financials and stay ahead of the game. Each one-day event will provide engaging and informative content, brought to you by our very own financial experts, to empower you with essential financial strategies that go beyond the basics. Join us to learn about all the things that influence your financials and receive practical insights to help you achieve your financial goals.

With sessions on current economic trends to the latest investment options – complete with CPE credits – this isn’t just an educational opportunity, but an experience that will enhance your expertise and give you the tools you need to handle the complexities of credit union finance!

Register Now


Member Appreciation Reception at CrossState Connect

May 19, 2024 - The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, Atlantic City, N.J.

There’s no doubt about it…our credit union members are rockstars! We want to treat you as such and let you know how much we appreciate your partnership, which is why we’re throwing a Member Appreciation Reception during the CrossState CU Association’s Connect Annual Convention. Meet us at the Backstage Café at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, N.J., from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 19. We’ll get the party started with all the food, drinks and meet and greets you could want…in true rockstar fashion, of course. We can’t wait!

Register Now


2024 Annual Meeting

June 18, 2024 - Virtual

Member credit unions, you're invited! Our 2024 Annual Meeting is coming to a screen near you on June 18, 2024. This members-only event will be a virtual meeting where we can review the Corporate’s financials and discuss various executive/board reports. Credit union staff are invited to attend this virtual event with an authorized representative from the institution. There is no cost to attend the Annual Meeting, but registration is required.

Register Now


Quarterly Tech Talks

June 20, 2024 - Virtual
*More dates available

Did you know there are approximately 11,651 financial technology startups throughout the United States, with many ranging all the way from person-to-person (P2P) and wealth management apps to stock trading and e-commerce sites? That’s according to a 2023 study conducted by Statista.

With the ability to deeply understand the ins and outs of both the financial and technology industries, these fintechs are positioned to grow even more in the coming years. In fact, they’re already profoundly reshaping financial services through innovation, member-centric value propositions, collaborative business models and so much more! That then begs the question: How many of these fintechs has your credit union looked at – 20, 10, even five? And moreover, how is your credit union embracing this evolving service landscape?

If you’re not sure how to answer either of those questions, that’s okay. We’ve got you covered! Vizo Financial is here to serve as your link to these fintechs.

During each 30-minute quarterly Tech Talk, we will showcase a few fintechs that we believe may bring benefits to your institution. We highly recommend that you use these 30 minutes to seek out the technology and innovation that may help revolutionize how you serve your members. And you never know, one of these may end up holding the key to innovation for your credit union because if your credit union isn’t already looking at fintechs, then you could be falling behind.

Your members are expecting the latest modern solutions, after all, so make sure you’re prepared to provide them by joining us for Vizo Financial’s 2024 Quarterly Tech Talks!

Register Now


Vizo Financial on the Road

Vizo Financial has been very busy out on the road! Before we tell you where we’re heading next, let’s do a little recap of where you may have spotted us in the first quarter. Remember, if you see us, feel free to tag us on social media using hashtag #VizoFinancialOnTheRoad.


CUNA’s Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC)

Corporate account managers, Robyn Cooper, Joe Reiner and Ty Snavely, along with Jaime Agostino, Vizo Financial’s VP of sales, marketing and education, traveled to Washington D.C. on March 3-5 to attend CUNA’s GAC.

York Chapter Lunch Meeting

Vizo Financial’s information security engineer, Mike Bechtel, was the speaker at the York Chapter Lunch Meeting on January 8, 2024, in York, Pa. He spoke to attendees about credit union security in a cyber world. Jaime Agostino, VP of sales, marketing and education, and Steve Houser, corporate account manager, also attended the meeting.

MACUMA New Years Celebration

Jaime Agostino, VP of sales, marketing and education, and Joe Reiner, corporate account manager, traveled to the Springfield Golf & Country Club in Virginia for the Metropolitan Area Credit Union Management Association’s New Year Celebration on the evening of January 10, 2024. The event was a celebration of the new year ahead, as well as an opportunity to collect food items for donation to a local food bank.

Central South Carolina Chapter Dinner

On January 23, Scott Wood, Vizo Financial’s SVP/chief investment officer, gave an Economic Update presentation to attendees of the Central South Carolina Chapter Dinner at Seawell’s in Columbia, S.C.

MD|DC Credit Union Association’s YPN Virtual Mentor Panel Meeting

Vizo Financial sponsored the MD|DC Credit Union Association’s Young Professionals Network (YPN) Virtual Mentor Panel Meeting on January 25, 2024. In addition, our chief human resources officer, Janice Appleby, was a panelist for the event, and Jaime Agostino, Vizo Financial’s VP of sales, marketing and education, also attended.

Vizo Financial’s Pittsburgh Open House Event

Vizo Financial welcomed more than 50 credit union professionals and guests to our Pittsburgh Open House event in Pittsburgh, Pa., on January 29, 2024. At the event, attendees were treated to drinks and refreshments, meet and greets with our staff (including our new president/CEO, Fred Eisel) and a tour of our new Pittsburgh office, which we share with CHROME FCU. Several members of our team – Fred Eisel, Lori Gall, Rodney May, Jeff Stoner, Jaime Agostino, Steve Houser and Ashley Aubele – enjoyed getting to share this special event with our members. Thanks to all who came to see us!

Baltimore Chapter Virtual Wine Tasting Meeting

Who knew wine tastings could pair so well with credit union meetings? The Baltimore Chapter sure did, and Jaime Agostino, our VP of sales, marketing and education, was happy to attend this virtual event on January 30.

Beaver Valley Chapter Bowl-A-Thon

Vizo Financial supported and sponsored the Beaver Valley Chapter Bowl-A-Thon on February 3, 2024. Vizo Financial had two teams participate in the event, consisting of Steve Houser, corporate account manager; Ashley Aubele, core solutions account manager; Dorian Gilliam, IT specialist I; and Lori Gall, SVP/chief risk officer, along with her entire family. The chapter raised over $10,000 for the CrossState Credit Union Foundation.

DC Chapter Meeting

On February 6, 2024, Joe Reiner, corporate account manager, attended the virtual DC Chapter Meeting, which focused on mindfulness. Attendees were joined by a certified meditation instructor who presented tips and techniques for enhancing focus and reducing stress.

Carolinas Credit Union League’s LAUNCH 2024

Corporate account managers Jill Bennett and Robyn Cooper traveled to Concord, N.C., on February 7-8 to attend the Carolinas Credit Union League’s LAUNCH 2024 event. Thank you to everyone who stopped at our booth. In addition, we wish a big congratulations to Donna Beringer from Carolina FCU, who won our coffee-themed gift basket!

Northeast Credit Union Chapter Dinner

Vizo Financial/MY CU Services’ EFT product manager, Andi Crockett, gave a great presentation on instant payments and the FedNow® Service at the Northeast Credit Union Chapter Dinner at the Hitch’N Post restaurant in Williamston, N.C. on February 29. We hope everyone enjoyed her information-packed session.Jill Bennett, corporate account manager, and Jaime Agostino, VP of sales, marketing and education, were also in attendance.

Harrisburg Chapter Meet & Greet Networking Mixer

On March 12, Steve Houser, corporate account manager, attended the Harrisburg Chapter Meet and Greet Networking Mixer at Appalachian Brewing Company in Harrisburg, Pa. He had a great time meeting (and greeting) with everyone!

Baltimore Chapter Business Partner Mixer

Also on March 12, corporate account manager, Joe Reiner, attended the Baltimore Chapter Business Partner Mixer. He represented Vizo Financial at our business partner table during a speed networking activity aimed to connect business partners with credit unions. Thank you to everyone who met with Joe and learned more about our services for credit unions!

Small CU Collaborate

Robyn Cooper, corporate account manager and small credit union advocate, attended the Small CU Collaborate event on March 13, 2024, at the CrossState Credit Union Association’s Pennsylvania office in Harrisburg, Pa.

Financial Strategies Workshops

Vizo Financial held our first three Financial Strategies Workshops in Hershey, Pa.; Richmond, Va., and Charlotte, N.C., on March 13, March 27 and April 10, respectively. The workshops are focused on providing useful and relevant financial strategies education for credit unions. We look forward to hosting the final workshop on May 8 in Pittsburgh, Pa. See more details about the upcoming workshop in our Upcoming Events article!

YWCA Greater Harrisburg Tribute to Women of Excellence

Jaime Agostino, VP of sales, marketing and education, was in attendance at the YWCA of Greater Harrisburg’s 35th Annual Tribute to Women event in Hershey, Pa., on March 19, 2024. This year, the event honored 27 women who dedicated their time and talents to making a difference in Central Pennsylvania, including a few from the credit union movement. Congratulations to all of this year’s honorees.

CUES Meeting

Vizo Financial’s president/CEO, Fred Eisel, and corporate account manager, Ty Snavely, attended the CUES Meeting on March 20, 2024.

Macha Compliance Day Virtual Event

Cindy Hagan, VP, compliance and fraud risk, gave a presentation on Disentangling the Corporate Transparency Act Web of Mystery at the Macha Compliance Day virtual event on March 20, 2024. Thanks for your sharing your compliance knowledge, Cindy.

Where will we be next, you ask? You can find us at:


NACUSO

April 15-18, 2024 in Orlando, Fla.
Who to Look For: Jaime Agostino & Andi Crockett

Invest48

April 22-24, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio
Who to Look For: Steve Houser & Robyn Cooper at Booth #220

West Virginia CU League Annual Meeting

April 25-27, 2024 in Charleston, W.Va.
Who to Look For: Joe Reiner & Jaime Agostino

IGNITE | VACUL Annual Meeting

May 1-3, 2024 in Washington, D.C.
Who to Look For: Joe Reiner, Andi Crockett & Jaime Agostino

CrossState Credit Union Association’s Connect Annual Convention

May 19-21, 2024 in Atlantic City, N.J.
Who to Look For: Steve Houser, Robyn Cooper, Andi Crockett & Jaime Agostino

CCUL Annual Meeting

June 3-5, 2024 in Hilton Head Island, S.C.
Who to Look For: Jill Bennett, Robyn Cooper, Andi Crockett & Jaime Agostino

CONNECT MDDCCUA Annual Meeting

June 9-11, 2024 in Ocean City, Md.
Who to Look For: Joe Reiner, Andi Crockett, Jeanne Heath & Jaime Agostino

Southeast Credit Union Conference & Expo

June 12-14, 2024 in Orlando, Fl.
Who to Look For: Jaime Agostino & Steve Houser

VACUL EMERGE Conference

June 26-27, 2024 in Richmond, Va.
Who to Look For: Joe Reiner


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Past Issues:

Thank You New Users

Thank you to the credit unions and organizations that recently began using the following services:

Domestic Wires
Trumark Financial CU PA

Penetration Testing – DDI
UFCW Local 1176 FCU PA

Securities Safekeeping
BEE FCU MD
Honeywell Philadelphia Division FCU PA

SimpliCD
BEE FCU MD
Lanco FCU PA

Social Engineering Testing
Credit Union Services, Inc. MD
DEXSTA FCU DE
Washington Area Teachers FCU PA

Vulnerability Scanning – DDI
UFCW Local 1776 FCU PA

Zephyr
East Baton Rouge Teachers FCU LA

Thank you to the credit unions and organizations that recently began using MY CU Services:

ACH for Business
Central South Carolina Chapter SC

ACH Originations
Community First Fund FCU PA

ACH Receipt & Returns
Energy People FCU NJ

Branch Capture
Lion’s Share FCU NC
Valdosta Teachers FCU GA

Deposit Returns
Columbia Post Office CU SC
Elliott Community FCU PA
Hopewell Chemical FCU VA
Palmetto First CU SC
Valdosta Teachers FCU GA
Weyco Community CU NC

Foreign Check Services
First Choice FCU PA

Instant Payments – Receive Services
Riverfront FCU PA

Instant Payments – Settlement
Riverfront FCU PA

International Wires
Moonlight CU PA

Merchant Capture
SRU FCU PA

Mobile Capture
Highway FCU PA
Elliott Community FCU PA
Lakehurst Naval FCU NJ

Website Hosting
Dow Bucks County FCU PA

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