The Corporate Connection | January 2024
A Note from Chris
I hope you all found time to relax over the holidays, enjoyed time with your loved ones, and did some peaceful reflecting as you prepared for a fresh start in this new year. The transition to a new year is an opportune time to pause, look back, and appreciate the lessons learned along our journeys. What challenges have we faced, and how have they shaped us? What successes have we celebrated, and how can we build upon them? Reflection is the compass that guides us toward growth. As we stand on the threshold of a new year, I am filled with gratitude and a sense of anticipation for the journey that lies ahead. The turning of the calendar is not just a symbolic event; it is an opportunity for us to come together in celebration and to appreciate the bonds that connect us.
So, let’s take a moment to celebrate. The achievements and milestones of the past year are a testament to the collective effort and dedication of each of you. Your commitment has been the driving force behind our success. I am proud to say that 2023 was another great year for Corporate Central. We experienced incredible growth while continuing to operate at strong capital levels. We will continue to focus our strategic priorities on leveraging technology to optimize your experience and our member service. We look forward to working with you and continually improving your entire interaction and experience with us.
I am confident that together we will continue to achieve great things. The strength of our movement lies in the unity of its members, and I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. May 2024 bring joy, prosperity, and fulfillment to each of you and your loved ones. I wish you all a Happy New Year filled with boundless opportunities and shared successes!
Sincerely,
Chris Felton
President/CEO
Buzz About Beastro
If you can dream it, we can integrate it.
Corporate Central developed Beastro to grant credit unions the opportunity to come together on a technology platform and compete more effectively with fintechs. It is independently coded and has been developed 100% from the ground up to ensure it is SaaS, agile, and allows for frequent and quick enhancements. Beastro doesn’t replace your credit union’s core system; it’s a hub for all your integrations for credit union transactions and services. If you can dream it, Beastro can integrate it.
What’s Trending?
Tips for selecting the right core processor for a seamless digital transformation.
Your core processor is the backbone of all future digital initiatives, enabling your credit union to operate more efficiently, serve members better, and stay competitive in the digital age. By identifying your strategic goals, selecting the right vendor, looking beyond costs, and meticulously managing migration and implementation, your credit union can unlock the full potential of your core processor. The journey may be complex, but the rewards of a successful digital transformation will lead to greater operational efficiencies, enhanced member service, and sustained competitiveness, making it well worth the effort.
Our Community
Corporate Central employees demonstrate commitment to community service and philanthropy.
In December, eight dedicated employees volunteered their time at the Hope Center in Waukesha, WI. Hope Center is a non-profit organization that has been serving the basic needs of financial assistance, food, and clothing in Waukesha County for more than thirty years.
Kyle Gutierrez, Amy Nowak, Sandy Garcia-Alvarez, Brian Luitze, Dawn Beyer, Chuck Doherty, Fred Blask, and Jevon Cliffgard selflessly devoted their time to serving breakfast to those in need. Their hands-on involvement reflects Corporate Central’s core values of social responsibility and community engagement.
Corporate Central also donated $1,000 to further bolster the Hope Center’s meal program. This financial contribution will help ensure that individuals and families in the Waukesha community have access to nutritious meals, particularly during challenging times.
Corporate Central employees help give students a reality check.
Will Valadez, Orianna Valentine, Michele Vukovic, Amy Nowak, and Fred Blask had a blast volunteering at “Reality Check Day,” a unique financial literacy program organized by Educators Credit Union. This event is designed to empower students with practical financial knowledge and skills. The program provides participants with hands-on experience, allowing them to gain insights into real-world financial scenarios and make informed decisions about budgeting, saving, and managing personal finances.
Students are given the option of selecting their occupation, while other areas of their life are randomly assigned, such as credit score, marital status, and if they have children. Each student also decides their retirement age and is tasked with using their budgeting skills to reach their retirement goal. Students then travel to each station representing a life event. Housing, insurance, groceries, apparel, furniture, entertainment, and daycare necessities can be purchased, and bills can be paid as needed. The Wheel of Fate adds some excitement where students earn or lose money based on unpredictable life events. Well done, Educators!
If you are interested in volunteering with Corporate Central at future events, please send us an email at [email protected]
Technology Tidbit
New Talkdesk survey reveals the impact of integrated AI capabilities on contact center service quality.
Financial services customers in the digital age expect the same level of convenience and personalized service they get from online retailers, travel and hospitality service providers, and streaming audio and video services. And credit unions are responding, particularly by investing in artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities in the contact center.
Credit Unions Connect
Stories that exemplify the movement
Breaking barriers to financial stability.
Veridian Credit Union’s Successful Financial Future Grants award up to $5,000 to nonprofit organizations who address barriers to financial stability through financial literacy or employment readiness. Their team has distributed $90,000 in grants to 24 organizations across Iowa and eastern Nebraska over the past year.
Giving back to the community.
Nuvision Credit Union is proud to share the success of their NuvisionCares Holiday Food Drive benefiting Robyn’s Nest, a resource for children and youth in foster care. In addition to food donations, Nuvision collected over $4,000 in financial donations from the community. They matched these donations to total over $8,000 raised for Robyn’s Nest.
What’s New and Who’s Who
Our Compliance team has grown by two: one familiar face and one new!
We are excited to share that Malisha Yang, CCUFC, has accepted a new position within the organization as a Compliance Analyst. Malisha rejoined Corporate Central as a Member Service Representative in June 2017 and in April 2023 she was promoted to Member Services Specialist. In this role, she was responsible for facilitating robust delivery of superior member service and proactive relationship development. She also served as primary support for all new member onboarding processes, assisted with account user authority, and provided support for member solutions introductions and onboarding/implementation.
Now, Malisha oversees the BSA/AML monitoring program, and she provides support for the daily auditing functions of user administration and setup. These both complement the work she has done with new member onboarding and her experience in Member Services helps inform the compliance aspects of transaction monitoring and Customer Due Diligence/Know Your Member requirements. Malisha also assists with member compliance requests and provides backup support for Member Services as needed. Congratulations, Malisha!
We are also very excited to introduce Danielle Carter as Risk & Compliance Coordinator. Danielle coordinates third party risk management and compliance activities across Corporate Central’s employees and lines of business. She serves as a resource for employees and members’ inquiries regarding third party risk management and compliance. She also provides primary support for the Compliance department, backup support for internal auditing functions, and assists with training and development support for employees and members.
Danielle started her career in financial services as a Proof Operator and then Teller before moving up to the Treasury Management Department as Implementation Coordinator. She continued her path up to Team Lead for the Technical Project Managers responsible for implementing Remote Deposit Capture products for commercial clients. She received her bachelor's degree in Economics from Marquette University and also obtained a Project Management Certificate from the University of St. Thomas. She then went on to get her Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Cardinal Stritch University. Outside of work, Danielle loves decorating, reading, bowling, and baking. She also loves gathering with family during the holidays, especially Christmas – her most favorite holiday. Welcome to the team, Danielle!
Ladies and gentlemen…introducing Professor Chiappetta.
Kevin Chiappetta has established himself as a standout professional with a passion for excellence and a commitment to continuous learning. We are very proud to share that Kevin has reached a significant career milestone by successfully completing the Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) program at Marquette University. The program is recognized for its rigorous curriculum tailored for seasoned professionals seeking advanced business knowledge and strategic leadership skills. Kevin navigated the program with exceptional focus, showcasing his ability to excel in both the workplace and academic arena. Are you ready to learn from Kevin? Check out our Speakers Guide. Congratulations, Kevin!
