Consumer debt is on the rise and recent statistics report that the average household has over $18,000 in debt. Because of this high level of debt, credit unions are seeing more and more members experiencing financial problems. These problems are the direct result of members not having the needed knowledge or understanding of how to manage their finances, as well as, managing the level of debt.

This program will provide the credit union with the knowledge and skills needed to work with a member who has financial problems, assisting them in solving and preventing future financial problems. You'll also have the opportunity to earn your Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor (CCUFC) certification. Or you can simply attend the programs to expand your knowledge and skills in financial counseling.

Throughout this school you will:

• Get a financial counseling overview & study the role of the financial counselor
• Learn the best ways to communicate during a financial counseling session
• Learn how to design a financial counseling program

Earn national recognition for your financial counseling expertise
At Part I and Part II Schools, testing is provided for those pursuing their Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor (CCUFC) certification. You can review and test at the end of each day or choose to take the exams at a later date at a proctored exam site. To achieve certification, you must successfully complete the exams for both Part I and II of CUNA Certified Financial Counselor Schools. You may attend Parts I and II in any order; there are no prerequisites. Upon completion of both parts, you will receive a "Certified Financial Counseling" certification.

You may also receive your certification through FiCEP, a self-study financial counseling certification program. Learn more about FiCEP.

Earn college credit. The American Council on Education's College Credit Recommendation Service have recommended college credit for CUNA's Certified Financial Counsleors School: Part I. Two semester hours in Personal Finance or Financial Planning in the lower division baccalaureate/associate has been recommended. Contact your advisor to determine if your college or university will accept these credits.

CUNA Certified Financial Counselor School: Part I: March 14–18, 2010

CUNA Certified Financial Counselor Schools: Part II:  March 14–18, 2010

CUNA Certified Financial Counselor Schools: Advanced:  March 14–18, 2010

Preview the schedule

Designing & Implementing a Financial Counseling Program

• Learn how to determine your member's needs and institutional attitudes
• Analyze your department structure and program personnel
• Discuss the development of training programs, adequate counseling facilities, and effective policies and procedures

Communication Process for a Financial Counselor

• Understand several important communication principles
• Discuss the different ways in which members communicate
• Identify factors that influence and also create obstacles in the communication process
• Understand the important role of listening skills

Financial Counseling Overview & the Role of the Financial Counselor

• Identify myths and goals of financial counseling
• Examine a model for your budget counseling process
• Learn ways to help your members clarify and resolve their financial problems
• Learn how the real cost of credit can discourage over-spending

Spending Plans

• Show your members how to develop a plan for spending, bill paying, and saving
• Help your members build savings on a tight budget
• Learn to demonstrate two ways to accelerate debt reduction
• Help members find alternatives to bankruptcy

Understanding & Improving Creditworthiness

• Learn the six factors lenders look at when considering a loan
• Understand how credit scores are determined
• Discuss what your members can do to improve their credit score and creditworthiness

Helping Members Work With Creditors

• Identify the financial counselor’s role
• Teach your members how to negotiate with creditors honestly and fairly
• Learn how to help your members construct a letter for creditors
• Discuss what to do when members are unable to make payments due to job loss, disability, and other severe financial problems

Understanding Your Members' Financial Issues

• Understand your members' environment
• Discuss why your members act the way they do
• Identify financial problems and their impact
• Distinguish differences between financial crises, emergencies, and problems

Investigating Financial Solutions & Options

• Identify options and practical solutions to credit problems
• Learn ways to help your members understand their financial situation and options
• Identify resources and opportunities to help reduce member’s monthly deficit

Creditors and Consumer Rights & Remedies

• Discuss the variety of creditor remedies used today
• Establish members’ options for stopping or preventing garnishments, repossessions, and foreclosures
• Explore the bankruptcy process from the lender and consumer viewpoint
• Review the legal issues with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)

Public Agencies & Community Resources

• Help your members determine when they are eligible for external assistance
• Establish a list of external resources on a state, regional, and national level
• Develop a resource guide to use for member access and referrals

Problem Prevention, Education & Information Programs

• Discuss credit union awareness for “best practices”
• Determine tools and resources to help your members prevent credit issues
• Establish just-in-time intervention tools to keep members on the “straight and narrow”

Affiliation with CUNA/League is required for attendance.

CPE Credits

“I came away feeling more confident that I had the tools to help our members become more financially educated and secure. I came back with great enthusiasm to get this program up and running.”

Kathy Smith, Alcoa Tenn Federal Credit Union

“As a "new" financial counselor I came to this program with an open mind hoping to bring back to my credit union and members as much knowledge as possible. I feel that this program accomplished those goals for me and more. I am hoping to implement a counseling program, which will benefit members as well as all those who can share with me what I have learned. Thank you for time very well spent!”

Shannon Lampman, Bridgeton Onized Federal Credit Union

“It gave me the insight on how this program will help our members as well as the community.”

“The program really opened my eyes to the side of helping our members before they appear on our collection reports.”

“It helped me to recognize when someone is headed down the wrong path and that there are alternatives to filing bankruptcy. Hopefully in the future I will be able to prevent someone from filing if it can be prevented. That would make me feel good. Like I have done my job.”

“I realized there is such a need for this information not only for our members but everyone even us as employees so we can teach everyone around us. I really enjoyed the class thank you for offering it.”

“I came back to work very excited and ready to help members find possible solutions to the problems some have. Can't wait for Part II!”

“I have been a financial counselor for over 12 years. This class made me take a look at my role as a counselor and gave me a new insight on my program. If you're considering a credit counseling program, remember that helping a member correct his or her immediate financial problem-though a big part of the program-is second to educating the member on how never to be in the situation again. Education-it's the ultimate level of "People Helping People," which is what credit unions are all about. The Financial Counseling School is the very best way to make it work. I highly recommend this school to all credit unions.”

Sally Gooding, South Florida Educational Federal Credit Union

Kathryn Greiner, AFC

Ken King

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