...because of compliance demands

The latest in a series about the value of League membership

Compliance remained one of the most in-demand League services in 2012. This assistance helps to reduce credit unions’ exposure to regulatory penalties, prepare credit unions for visits by regulators and protect the credit union and its members from liabilities that have the potential to affect income, member service, reputation and more. So far in 2012 we:

Made 40 updates of The League's 161 ii Releases to keep up with an endless run of changes to the state and federal regulations governing credit unions. To assist with compliance with our unique combination of state and federal rules, The Wisconsin League maintains one of the largest collections of searchable compliance resources available online for credit unions.

Offered practical guidance to 96 credit union compliance staff at the spring and fall compliance roundtables. The sessions updated credit unions on the newest rules and regs, presented the Office of Credit Unions’ views on compliance issues, and gave attendees the opportunity to share their insights.

Presented Keys to Compliance Webinars on 10 topics to 63 credit unions, allowing multiple staff members to participate live or view the archived webcasts later.

Maintained 2,737 searchable compliance web pages that were visited more than 55,223 times.

Answered more than 2,278 compliance-related calls to guide credit union operations.

Conducted competitively-priced BSA compliance reviews to help credit unions meet requirements for annual independent Bank Secrecy Act program testing.

Sent 44 issues of our Compliance Courier newsletter to compliance contacts at credit unions to alert them to changes in Wisconsin laws, compliance deadlines, available resources and more.

Issued regular security alerts regarding scams, fraudulent checks and investment schemes.

Monitored regulations to prepare for major updates to the loan and deposit forms credit unions ordered through the W.C.U.L. Services Corp.

Continued to update employee handbooks drafted by The League to reflect changes to state and federal laws.

"Membership in The League puts credit unions just a click or two away from one of the largest collections of searchable online credit union compliance resources specifically tailored to our unique combination of state and federal rules," said John Engel, Director of Legal Affairs.

"Quite often, the tools for addressing credit unions' compliance-related questions are already somewhere on our site. The materials we've developed help credit unions get farther, faster on compliance issues."

"We appreciate that compliance presents a massive challenge for credit union people wearing multiple hats for their organization," Engel said. "When you have full plate of other responsibilities, you need help locating the information you need relating to complex compliance issues."

He encourages credit unions struggling to juggle compliance responsibilities to look into the Compliance Specialist program through The League Services Corp.

"The program draws upon the compliance resources at The League and adds personnel to the equation. Instead of stretching your staff to try to keep up with compliance, a trained specialist tackles the issues for you," Engel said.

"Some credit unions can't afford a full-time compliance officer, so this program gives you a Compliance Specialist that divides their time with several credit unions in your area. Jo Whiting has assembled a great team and can develop a Compliance Specialist arrangement that works for you."

For more information on the program, contact Jo Whiting at (262) 408-6044.

Watch League News for more about what we have accomplished together in 2012 as a united League. Our entire article series is being archived as it unfolds at www.theleague.coop/membershipmatters.