Join our panelists to hear an assessment of how the credit union industry is currently addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion. We'll begin by defining these terms. Then, we'll address these topics within credit unions, with the members they serve, and how our industry is working to deliver change. The panelists will cover gender, race & ethnicity, and financial inclusion. We'll also start to look to the future - what is the ongoing role of the credit union movement and what can credit unions do to continue to move forward?

Moderator: Eric Hansing, VP of Multicultural and Corporate Strategy, CUNA Mutual Group

Panelists:

• Cathie Mahon, President/CEO, Inclusive (formally National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions)
• Angela Russell, VP of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, CUNA Mutual Group
• Samira Salem, PhD, Senior Policy Analyst, CUNA

This session will include a comprehensive overview of Current Expected Credit Losses (CECL), including where we are now, how we got here, and what we need to do now to prepare. While we will get into the weeds as it pertains to CECL's specific accounting requirements, this session is appropriate for league and credit union accounting experts, senior management, as well as advocacy staff. 

Panelists will provide their perspective on the first two months of the 116th Congress and divided government in Washington. The panelists will offer bipartisan views on the legislative outlook for 2019 and what credit unions can expect. They will also offer insights from their experiences working on Capitol Hill. 

Bank attacks continue to be an ongoing threat to the credit union movement. The bankers have become more advanced in their attacks especially at the state level. Attend this session and learn about recent state fights and how credit unions were successfully able to mobilize and push back against these efforts. Additionally, learn to analyze and plan for any potential bank attacks in your state. 

Slowing U.S. economic growth, increased stock market volatility and rising geopolitical risks have some wondering about the prospects for credit union success in 2019. Tariffs could spell trouble for auto lending. Higher interest rates and rising home prices will likely challenge mortgage lending operations. Bankruptcy filings are on the rise. Liquidity is a mounting concern in some quarters. What does the future hold? CUNA economists will review how credit unions are responding to looming challenges and will explore prospects for credit union loan and savings growth and the probable effects on asset quality, earnings and interactions with regulators. 

Panelists:

• Mike Schenk, Chief Economic Officer, CUNA
• Jordan van Rijn, Senior Economist, CUNA

The regulatory environment for credit unions has been chaotic the last few years. While it may be calming down, credit unions are faced with additional threats such as frivolous lawsuits brought by aggressive plaintiffs' attorneys. Given this evolving landscape, what should credit unions pay attention to moving forward? Our panel of industry professionals will discuss how the regulatory and legal environment in 2019 will affect credit unions and their operations. 

Are you new to credit union advocacy or are you a seasoned advocate in need of a refresher of current best practices? Either way, this session will review the programs and resources CUNA has to help you develop relationships with your state and federal lawmakers. With the 116th Congress now in session, building these relationships is more crucial than ever. Establishing these relationships takes place back in your states as well as in Washington, D.C. Speakers will discuss a variety of techniques and programs that currently exist to help you enhance your role in credit union advocacy.

Join us to discuss the top technology issues for 2019 and beyond. This session will feature a discussion by the Federal Reserve Board on faster payments, including an update on the last year's real-time payments proposal. Ways your credit union can improve and test cyber security preparedness will also be discussed. 

Flooding is the most common natural disaster in the United States, impacting every region and state. Statistics show that nearly 40 percent of small businesses never reopen their doors following a natural disaster because just a few inches of water can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage, increasing the risk of business owners walking away from their business and their loan. Just one inch of water can cost $27,000 or more in damage, leaving members without flood insurance literally and figuratively underwater on their mortgage. Credit unions face unique challenges following natural disasters, experiencing power outages, interruptions in business operation, branch damage, data loss, and employee turnover, all while their members need them most. Join us for a panel discussion on financial preparedness and the issues and opportunities credit unions face in preparing themselves and their members for flooding and other natural disasters. 

Panelists:

• Paul Huang and Matt Behnke, FEMA
• Mark Klinedinst, Filene
• Jay Isaacson, CUNA Mutual Group
  
  

An opportunity to network, share insights and exchange ideas with other forward-thinking credit union CEOs in a candid and enlightening session. Participate in CEO-relevant discussions in a roundtable format with your peers. Topics will be driven by feedback from credit union CEOs. Conducted by the CUNA CEO Council.

Participants are not required to be CUNA CEO Council members, but the sessions is strictly limited to credit union CEOs. 

Slowing U.S. economic growth, increased stock market volatility and rising geopolitical risks have some wondering about the prospects for credit union success in 2019. Tariffs could spell trouble for auto lending. Higher interest rates and rising home prices will likely challenge mortgage lending operations. Bankruptcy filings are on the rise. Liquidity is a mounting concern in some quarters. What does the future hold? CUNA economists will review how credit unions are responding to looming challenges and will explore prospects for credit union loan and savings growth and the probable effects on asset quality, earnings and interactions with regulators. 

Panelists:

• Mike Schenk, Chief Economic Officer, CUNA
• Samira Salem, Senior Policy Analyst, CUNA
• Jordan van Rijn, Senior Economist, CUNA

*Sessions are subject to change