MADISON, Wis. – The Enhanced FiCEP program has concluded another year of training with 275 new credit union staff representing 95 CUs in nine states becoming Certified Credit Union Financial Counselors (CCUFC).
That number will continue to grow in 2016, according to the National Credit Union Foundation.
The Enhanced FiCEP program (Credit Union Financial Counseling Certification Program) is a partnership between the National Credit Union Foundation's REAL Solutions program, CUNA's Center for Professional Development (CUNA CPD), credit union leagues and credit unions to train staff who are then able to give professional financial counseling and education to help members better prepare for their future and to assist when they are faced with financial difficulties.
“Thank you to all who participate in the enhanced FiCEP program,” said Kathryn Greiner, director of credit education at University of Michigan Credit Union. “It’s not a requirement, yet this is something that credit unions do because of the principles and values that all credit unions share. This is crucial work and we’re changing the world.”
According to the Foundation, this was the fifth year that the program has been conducted, and since then 1,655 staff from 448 credit unions in 25 states have become certified financial counselors. The demand from credit unions for more trained counselors is continuing to grow as they see the value the training has for credit union members.
“I think the financial counseling program is exactly what credit unions need to be doing,” said Charles Elliot, president/CEO of the Mississippi Credit Union League. “I don’t think there is anything that a credit union could do that would bring more value and benefit to credit union members. There are members that need this and we could absolutely change their lives.”
The Foundation said that 2016 is shaping up to be the biggest year yet for FiCEP, with at least four state leagues planning to conduct programs for the first time ever. There are also four leagues that have worked with FiCEP in the past and are planning to rejoin the program next year to continue to strengthen their staff’s ability to serve their member’s needs, the Foundation said.
The Foundation said that FiCEP enhances credit union services by:
- Proven financial counseling skills become a part of the credit union’s culture.
- Written for all staff levels so anyone can offer financial counseling during every member interaction.
- Certification satisfies members’ needs as they continually look for the value of the credit union.
- Differentiates the credit union with certified financial counselors.
- Helps members transform the way they deal with money through real-world counseling.