ALBANY, NY – The Credit Union Association of New York’s (CUANY) 2013 Lending School demonstrated the cooperative nature of the credit union movement as three attendees travelled from the U.S. Virgin Islands to Albany New York to participate in the event. They were joined by credit union professionals from across the state for an informative event.
Led by instructor Brett Christensen and presenters Jim Holt (CU Student Choice) and Bob Nealon (CU Direct), the workshop focused on numerous aspects of credit union lending, including opportunities in private student lending, insights on auto lending trends and best practices, loan interview and sales skills, and the macro-economic lending environment.
“It’s been exciting to learn so much about loans and the lending process. This session reassured me that we’re going in the right direction, but there are also better ways we can approach things,” said Kerri Bess of the Mid Island FCU. “In the Virgin Islands, we don’t have that formal training. When we go back, we’ll be right on top of those loans and go above and beyond to make sure our members get the loans they deserve.”
“People here are doing things basically the same way we are, even though we are so far away. Members have the same needs, no matter where you are,” remarked Barbara McIntosh of the Mid Island FCU. “As members of the Association, we feel that it’s important to take advantage of the products and services that are offered to us.”
Both credit unions of the U.S. Virgin Islands are associate members of CUANY and are also – along with other credit unions in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico – partners with CUANY in the World Council of Credit Unions’ International Partnerships Program.
The Credit Union Association of New York has served as the trade association for the state’s credit unions for 96 years. New York credit unions have assets of more than $62 billion and serve 4.8 million members. To learn more about the Association, visit www.cuany.org. To find a credit union or learn more about the credit union movement, visit www.asmarterchoice.org.