The Corporate Connection | October 2024
A Note from Chris
At Corporate Central, we are committed to continually enhancing the value we provide to our credit union members. I am thrilled to share that we are in the process of designing a brand-new website that will deliver a refreshed, user-friendly experience, making it easier than ever for you to access the tools and resources you need.
This new website will feature a modern design, intuitive navigation, and enhanced functionality to better serve your evolving needs. We are working hard behind the scenes and expect to launch the new site before the end of this year. Stay tuned for more updates. We are eager to bring you an improved online experience that will support your success.
Also, I want to thank all of you who attended our Economic Outlook Conference. It was wonderful to connect with so many friends during our signature event. Feedback during the conference confirmed that our mission to bring you insightful educational content and top-notch speakers was achieved. Planning for 2025 is already underway as we look to expand this conference and reach even more members. Thank you again.
Sincerely,
Chris Felton
President/CEO
Buzz About Beastro
The Beastro Roadmap aims to elevate credit union operations.
Beastro is revolutionizing how credit unions interact, engage, and transact digital financial services through a secure, integrated platform. As we look ahead, several exciting enhancements will further streamline operations, enhance security, and unlock new capabilities for credit unions and their members.
2024 Enhancements
This year, Beastro introduced a single point of access for a more efficient, one-stop service experience, significantly enhancing self-service capabilities and empowering credit unions to manage their services with greater flexibility. A major highlight is the implementation of Safekeeping Reporting, which provides 24/7 access to daily transaction reports, member security statements, and portfolio summaries via a cloud-based system. These features simplify accounting, auditing, and reporting, with downloadable options in multiple formats for streamlined operations.
Key Features Coming Soon:
- Corporate Certificates: Credit unions will soon have access to view corporate certificate offerings and request online purchases, with real-time rate notifications embedded in the platform for a seamless investment experience.
Future Releases
Looking further ahead, Beastro will leverage artificial intelligence and advanced analytics to offer real-time balance sheet management, comprehensive asset-liability modeling (ALM), liquidity forecasting, and enhanced investment portfolio analysis. These powerful tools will provide credit unions with deeper insights, scenario analysis, and intelligent fraud monitoring to make smarter, data-driven decisions. Stay tuned for continuous innovation as Beastro evolves to support your credit union’s growth. The roadmap is updated frequently, so be sure to check back often for the latest developments.
Is there a feature you would like to see in Beastro that would make your job easier?
What’s Trending?
Generative AI plays a crucial role in driving innovation and resilience.
Recent insights from the McKinsey Global Institute spotlight the staggering potential of Generative AI in banking, projecting an annual impact ranging between $200 billion and $340 billion. This profound influence stems chiefly from enhanced productivity, with additional forecasts by Precedence Research and Juniper Research indicating a robust market growth trajectory. As we delve into the transformative capabilities of Generative AI, it becomes evident that its integration within banking is not just about augmenting customer service or marketing strategies, it is about reimagining how financial services are conceived, delivered, and experienced.
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!
October 2 to October 4 – Indiana Credit Union League Annual Convention in Indianapolis, IN
October 3 to October 5 – Illinois Credit Union League Annual Convention in Chicago, IL
October 13 to October 16 – GoWest Maxx in Aurora, CO
October 14 – Sponsoring The Wisconsin Credit Union League’s Community Day
October 24 to October 26 – Sponsoring The Wisconsin Credit Union League’s YP Conference 2024
October 29 to October 30 – Credit Union Connect in Appleton, WI
November 6 – Sponsoring The Wisconsin Credit Union League’s Compliance Roundtable
Our Community
The Free Store provides hope.
Some of our employees had the privilege of sorting donated clothing at the Hope Center in Waukesha, WI. The clothing is used for the Free Store, which helps those in need shop with dignity. Volunteers will even help people find clothing to wear for job interviews. The Hope Center provides many services to those in need including daily breakfasts, lunches, and a place to stay warm during the day. Corporate Central proudly donated $1,000 to help the Hope Center continue their amazing journey. In its seventh year, the donation drive raised over $10,500 in donations.
Having a tee-rific time at The Foundation Invitational.
At the end of August, Corporate Central was pleased to sponsor and participate in The Wisconsin Credit Union Foundation’s event. The Wisconsin Credit Union Foundation, established by The Wisconsin Credit Union League, works to promote the growth and health of credit unions and their communities. The Foundation resources are used to promote credit union development, assist with the educational needs of credit union employees and volunteers, support programming designed to enhance financial literacy of the public, and support the credit union system in times of need.
Credit unions tailgate and raise funds during Credit Union Day at the Ballpark.
Corporate Central and The Wisconsin Credit Union League hosted Credit Union Day at the Ballpark, where over 330 credit union members, families, friends, employees, and supporters came together, raising over $38,000 for The Wisconsin Credit Union Foundation and The National Credit Union Foundation.
Uniting for heroes, Corporate Central proudly champions the Tunnel to Towers Run & Walk.
Corporate Central was honored to have been the host and main sponsor of southeastern Wisconsin’s Tunnel to Towers Run & Walk event, demonstrating commitment to supporting the heroes who have served our nation and our communities. The event, which took place on Saturday, August 3 in Muskego, WI, saw participants from all walks of life come together to honor the sacrifices made by first responders and military personnel in the line of duty.
If you are interested in volunteering with Corporate Central at future events, please send us an email at [email protected].
Technology Tidbit
Collaborate or compete? The shifting roles of fintechs in the banking world.
Over the past decade, the relationship between fintechs and traditional financial institutions has been dynamic. Initially, many fintechs positioned themselves as disruptors aiming to overhaul the banking sector, but over time, they have shifted to become technology providers eager to collaborate with banks and credit unions.
Credit Unions Connect
Stories that exemplify the movement
Giving back to those in need.
Brokaw Credit Union helped to host a food drive that benefitted The Neighbors’ Place, which is a nonprofit organization offering food and basic necessities to the community. They collected 1,068 pounds of food and over 1,000 diapers that will be distributed to families and people in need.
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 chidren of all abilities will be able to gather, play, and engage in activities both indoors and outdoors.
What’s New and Who’s Who
Cameron Krueger has been promoted to Website and Design Specialist.
Congratulations, Cam! In this new role, Cameron crafts visually stunning and user-friendly websites that make navigation a breeze for all users. He collaborates with our amazing cross-functional teams to bring design principles to life, position our products effectively, and keep up with the latest industry trends to ensure our websites look fantastic and function flawlessly. Cam joined the Corporate Central family in June 2022 as a Graphic Design Intern, where he created eye-catching graphics for our marketing and sales materials. His talent and dedication quickly shone through, leading to a promotion to part-time Marketing Coordinator in December 2022. In that role, he played a key part in elevating our brand with successful marketing campaigns across email and social media, managing communication schedules, and ensuring our brand was consistently represented. By June 2023, Cam stepped into a full-time position as Marketing Coordinator, taking on even more responsibilities and showcasing his graphic design and marketing expertise. We can't wait to see the incredible things he will accomplish in his new position!
Shannon Cate has taken on a new role.
We are excited to share that Shannon Cate has been promoted to the newly created position of Director of Member Experience! With nearly a decade of dedicated service at Corporate Central, Shannon has proven to be an invaluable part of our team. Most recently, she served as Manager of Member Services, where her unwavering commitment to excellence and impressive organizational skills shone brightly. In her new role, Shannon focuses on enhancing your member experience by reinvesting in our products and services, understanding the needs of our credit unions, and building strong relationships. She is refining our internal touchpoints, implementing strategies based on member feedback, and overseeing projects aimed at continuous improvement. Shannon collaborates with leadership to ensure a seamless and consistent experience for all members. Her operational support is key, as she coordinates new service implementations, manages corporate cash services, assists with member mergers and core conversion projects, and welcomes new credit union leadership to our Corporate Central family. Please join us in congratulating Shannon on her well-deserved promotion! We can’t wait to see how she will continue to elevate your experience with us.
Cheers to Orianna Valentine for achieving dual Digital Marketing Certifications.
We are thrilled to announce that Orianna Valentine, our talented Marketing Strategist, has just added some impressive credentials to her name! She earned dual certifications in digital marketing—the Certified Digital Marketing Professional (CDMP) from the Digital Marketing Institute (DMI) and the Associate Professional Certified Marketer® (aPCM®) in Digital Marketing from the American Marketing Association (AMA). These accomplishments showcase Orianna's dedication to staying ahead in the ever-evolving world of digital marketing. The DMI CDMP program is not just about mastering advanced skills; it also focuses on honing leadership and strategic planning abilities. Over 30 hours of interactive e-learning, Orianna gained hands-on experience in crafting multi-channel digital campaigns, making data-driven decisions, and developing innovative strategies to fuel business growth. The curriculum dives deep into essential topics like social media marketing, pay-per-click advertising (PPC), and AI-driven marketing, ensuring that graduates leave with a robust, actionable digital strategy. To top it off, the program wraps up with a challenging 2-hour exam that truly tests expertise in these vital areas. With her dual certification from two of the most respected institutions in marketing, Orianna is now even better equipped to lead transformative digital initiatives at Corporate Central. Join us in celebrating this fantastic achievement!
Raghu Gandhe has joined Corporate Central as a Data and Analytics Architect.
We are very excited to welcome Raghu to our team! Raghu focuses on designing, developing, and maintaining reliable, secure, and efficient data and analytics solutions for our SaaS applications and fintech innovations. His work plays a big part in meeting the evolving needs of our credit unions, while also boosting our internal data capabilities. Raghu's proactive approach to delivering exceptional service and his passion for solving complex challenges through technology make him an invaluable part of our team. With over 18 years of experience in data and analytics across healthcare, IT, retail, security, and manufacturing, Raghu brings a wealth of knowledge to Corporate Central. He earned his master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the City University of New York and has an impressive track record of building data-driven solutions that help us stay at the forefront of innovation in financial services. Outside of work, Raghu loves spending time with his wife and two daughters. He also enjoys exploring new places and is an enthusiastic cricket fan; whether it's watching or playing, he’s always ready for a match! Welcome, Raghu!
Stay Connected: Subscribe and Follow Us!
Don't miss out on the latest updates, insights, and developments from Corporate Central! Subscribe to our email lists and follow us on social media for real-time news and valuable resources. You can find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter (X), and YouTube.
If you know someone who would benefit from receiving Corporate Central's communications, please pass this information along. Together, we can keep our community informed and engaged!