The Corporate Connection
A Note from Chris
As we welcome the new year, I hope you had time to relax over the holidays, connect with loved ones, and reflect on the journey behind us and the opportunities ahead. The start of a new year is a perfect time to pause and appreciate the challenges that shaped us, the successes we celebrated, and the lessons that guide us forward.
This past year was remarkable for Corporate Central, marked by incredible growth and continued strong capital levels. Your dedication and support made these achievements possible, and we are deeply grateful for your commitment and trust.
Looking ahead, we remain focused on leveraging technology to optimize your experience and enhance our member service. Together, we will continue to strengthen our movement and create new opportunities.
Thank you for your partnership, and may 2025 bring joy, prosperity, and success to you and your loved ones. Happy New Year!
Sincerely,
Chris Felton
President/CEO
Buzz About Beastro
Explore Beastro's newest feature – Corporate Certificates!
On December 16, we launched Corporate Certificates in Beastro. This innovative update is designed to enhance your investment experience, offering a streamlined and user-friendly approach to managing your investments. You can now view available investments, including certificates and structured certificates, and make online requests to purchase. Additionally, you can access a list of active certificates, review your current holdings, and explore new certificates available for purchase. Once a certificate purchase is approved, you can download a safekeeping receipt for your records. Authentication has also been improved—no more PIN! User profiles can be established for those appropriate to view, request to purchase, and download safekeeping receipts for your credit union. To help your team get started, we have created a brief FAQ in the Knowledgebase.
2025 and Beyond Holiday Schedules
Corporate Central's holiday schedule is primarily based on the Federal Reserve holiday schedule.
The start of the new year means it's time to fill calendars with important dates and reminders. We publish our holiday schedule at least three years in advance on our website. In fact, our holiday schedule is one of our most popular pages on our website. Below is a snapshot of our holiday schedule through 2027. Feel free to bookmark this popular page for future reference.
New Website Launched
Corporate Central has launched a newly designed website for better navigation and user experience.
We are excited to share that our newly redesigned website launched on December 18! It's built with you in mind, offering improved navigation and a better user experience. Take a moment to explore the updated layout and new features—we think you will love it! And this is just the beginning; we will continue to make updates and enhancements, so check back often!
New Service Spotlight
QuantyPhi has introduced a CECL Validation service to support credit unions.
We are excited to announce that QuantyPhi is offering a new service designed to simplify compliance and boost confidence in CECL (Current Expected Credit Loss) processes for credit unions. The CECL Validation service provides a comprehensive review to enhance the accuracy, reliability, and regulatory alignment of credit unions' CECL methodologies.
Navigating CECL compliance can be a complex journey, but QuantyPhi's expertise is here to help. "CECL compliance is a critical component of a credit union's financial health, and we're thrilled to offer a service that ensures their processes meet and exceed regulatory expectations," said Adam Stone, QuantyPhi President. "Our CECL Validation service offers insights and recommendations tailored to credit unions' unique needs."
What's Included in the CECL Validation Service?
QuantyPhi focuses on six key areas essential for CECL success:
- Risk Factors: A detailed analysis of portfolio risks, such as historical loss data and economic conditions, ensures all potential risks are accounted for.
- Regulatory Compliance: Stay aligned with the latest guidance and navigate compliance confidently.
- Governance: Review governance frameworks, roles, and internal controls to support accuracy in CECL calculations.
- CECL Methodology: Evaluate modeling approaches, assumptions, and data inputs for best practices.
- Policies and Procedures: Ensure policies are comprehensive, documented, and consistently applied, with recommendations for improvement.
- Calculation Validation: Test and verify CECL calculations, reviewing model inputs and vendor processes for accuracy.
Ready to learn more? Visit the QuantyPhi website for details and schedule a consultation today.
What's Trending?
The future of credit unions: financial wellness as a core strategy.
In an era where member needs are evolving rapidly, credit unions are uniquely positioned to redefine their role from being financial service providers to becoming champions of holistic financial wellness. This is not just a shift in service but a comprehensive transformation that can deepen trust, loyalty, and financial engagement. Read the Article
Where to Find Us: Upcoming Conventions and Events
It's a great time of year to show our support for credit unions across the country by attending, sponsoring, and presenting at various league and association events. Please stop by the Corporate Central booth and our CUSO booths and say hello!
- January 28 – Wisconsin Credit Union League State GAC in Madison, WI
- February 4-5 – Dakota Credit Union Association The Roundtable in Las Vegas, NV
- February 4-6 – CUES Michigan Council Future Summit in Detroit, MI
- February 17-19 – Iowa Credit Union League Legislative & Regulatory Conference in Des Moines, IA
- February 19 – Nebraska Credit Union League Jam the Unicam in Lincoln, NE
- March 2-6 – America's Credit Union's GAC in Washington, DC
Our Community
Offering warmth and kindness to animals awaiting their forever homes.
In early October, Corporate Cares volunteers visited HAWS in Waukesha to spread warmth and comfort. The team crafted 30 cozy blankets for the dogs, just in time for cooler weather. With HAWS welcoming animals from hurricane-affected areas, these blankets provide a small but meaningful gesture to help scared animals feel safe and loved.
Reality Check Day offers students real world experience.
In November, Corporate Central teamed up with Educators Credit Union for Reality Check Day, giving MPS students a fun, hands-on lesson in family budgeting. Students navigated a series of stations simulating real-life expenses like housing, transportation, childcare, and shopping—plus a few surprises! Our team had a fantastic time interacting with these young budgeters and watching them tackle the challenge.
Corporate Central employees support families at the Ronald McDonald House of Eastern Wisconsin.
We were honored to volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House of Eastern Wisconsin, where a few of our team members packed lunches for the Lunch 2 Go program. This wonderful initiative provides families with grab-and-go meals, so they can focus on supporting their children during medical care. We were also thrilled to present a check to help further their incredible mission.
Showing our holiday spirit: Christmas with the Vets 🎄
The holiday season is always a special time here at Corporate Central, and this year was no exception! We were thrilled to kick off Christmas with the Vets for the 9th year in a row. Partnering with "Doc" (Jeffery Dentice) and his team of elves is one of our favorite traditions as we join forces to bring holiday cheer to the veterans at the VA Hospital.
For an incredible 37 years, Doc has dedicated himself to making sure these heroes are remembered during the holidays with thoughtful gifts, and we're honored to play a small part in his amazing mission. Our team came together to donate much-needed items like toothpaste, deodorant, playing cards, soap, gloves, socks, hats—and even made a financial contribution.
But that's not all! Our awesome crew also stuffed 360 stockings full of goodies to brighten the holidays for these deserving veterans.
Spreading warmth and comfort for the holiday season.
We came together to make a difference for children spending their holidays away from home at the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC). We hosted a special event where kids got to unleash their creativity and compassion. They stuffed teddy bears and dressed them in cozy pajamas, turning each bear into a cuddly companion filled with love. These special bears were donated to the children staying at RMHC. We also donated brand-new pajamas in various sizes and made a financial contribution.
If you are interested in volunteering with Corporate Central at future events, please send us an email at [email protected].
Credit Unions Connect
Stories that exemplify the movement
Letting no child be forgotten this holiday season.
Financial Plus Credit Union raised an incredible $5,714.16 for the annual Old Newsboys of Flint Paper Sale—a record-breaking achievement! Thanks to their generosity, children from birth to age 18 will receive gifts this holiday season, bringing joy to those who might otherwise go without.
Donating to a cause that supports the entire community.
Altra Federal Credit Union proudly donated $30,000 to support the City of Onalaska's Community Center and Gymnasium Construction Project. Their contribution will support the creation of a multi-generational facility, where families and children of all abilities will be able to gather, play, and engage in activities both indoors and outdoors.
What's New and Who's Who
Help us celebrate Michael Baumann's CCUIP achievement.
We are thrilled to announce that Michael Baumann, MBA, CCUIP, Investment Analyst, has earned the prestigious Certified Credit Union Investments Professional (CCUIP) designation. This comprehensive certification equips participants with advanced skills in portfolio management, risk mitigation, and regulatory compliance. Read the Press Release
Corporate Central welcomed Pete Paulson as Senior Vice President/Chief Operating Officer.
We are thrilled to announce Pete Paulson has joined Corporate Central as our new Senior Vice President/Chief Operating Officer (SVP/COO). In this vital leadership role, Pete oversees key operations that drive our mission forward. Read the Press Release
Corporate Central welcomed Chelsea Menge as Relationship Development Manager.
We are excited to introduce Chelsea Menge as our new Relationship Development Manager. In this key role, Chelsea works closely with our member credit unions to understand their unique needs. Read the Press Release
Shannon Cate earns prestigious leadership certification.
Corporate Central is thrilled to celebrate Shannon Cate, NCP, CCUFC, and CWCUL, Director of Member Experience, for earning the Certified Wisconsin Credit Union Leader (CWCUL) designation. Read the Press Release
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