For more information: 
Phil Tschudy 608/231-7188  philip.tschudy@cunamutual.com
Rick Uhlmann 608/231-8940  rick.uhlmann@cunamutual.com

Jan. 18, 2008

CUNA Mutual Announces Slate of 2008 Risk Management Webinars

MADISON, WI – CUNA Mutual Group is offering seven risk management Webinars for credit union decision makers and staff on key risk topics.  The Webinars are designed exclusively for the company’s Credit Union Bond policyholders, which represent approximately 95 percent of U.S. credit unions, and are provided at no extra charge.

Following is a summary of this year’s sessions:

• Lender Liability Lawsuits - An evolving exposure (Jan. 23, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. CST)  Borrowers can and do take lenders to court for failing to act in good faith and deal fairly, even when lenders adhere to the letter of the contract.  Learn about these evolving risks and how to guard your credit union against “lender liability” lawsuits.
• Disaster Preparedness - Prepare for the unexpected (March 12 and 26, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. CDT)   Failure to properly plan for a disaster can not only negatively affect a credit union’s operations in the short-term, but it could threaten the credit union’s very existence.  Disasters of all types can strike at any moment…be prepared for the unexpected.
• The New Wave in Payments - Risks on the horizon (May 14 and 28, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. CDT) Futurists have spun predictions that momentum is building toward a “cashless” society.  But, it just may not be that far away.  Payments are shifting from cash and traditional card forms to ACH, contactless payment cards/tokens, and even cell phones, but there are potential drawbacks and risks.
• Director Responsibilities - What every director should know (July 9 and 23, 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. CDT) The responsibilities of a credit union director are immense and growing more complex every day. Hear perspectives and experiences which may help you better serve your members and help you both perform your board duties and mitigate your personal liabilities.  Credit union board members are encouraged to attend.
• Fiduciary Risk - A sleeping giant ready to awake? (July 9 and 23, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. CDT)   While fiduciary liability is a concept that encompasses liability under ERISA, it is not limited to claims brought under ERISA.  Learn what risks you and your employees assume in their capacity as a fiduciary, and hopefully let a sleeping giant lie.
• Plastic Card Fraud Trends (Sept. 10 and 24, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. CDT) Plastic card fraud is a lot like a rainstorm, an almost inevitable inconvenience with which we have had to cope with and pay for.  Learn what’s new in the area of plastic card fraud risks, loss controls, and best practices.
• CUSOs - Controlling risk to drive reward  (Nov. 12, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. CST) Some credit union leaders look at CUSOs through “credit union glasses.”  CUSOs are entrepreneurial, for-profit companies that have to remain nimble and take more risk.  Understand and manage the risk, so you and your CUSO reap the rewards.

“These Webinars are designed to provide decision-makers and staff with key insights and best practices that will help your credit union programs and functions run smoothly and successfully,” said Gary Pate, director of insurance compliance and risk management for CUNA Mutual.

Participants will need a computer, an Internet connection, Web browser and a telephone.  Registration opens 45 days prior to each session.  To register, go to www.cunamutual.com/2008RiskManagementWebinars.  Webinars are only available to current Credit Union Bond policyholders, and access to registration requires a UserID and Password.  Policyholders without a UserID and Password should go to www.cunamutual.com, click on “Welcome,” and then select “New User Registration” from the navigation options.  In addition, all sessions will be recorded and can be accessed by policyholders at any time using a UserID and Password through the Web-based Credit Union Protection Resource Center.

Credit unions needing additional assistance should contact the Credit Union Protection Response Center at 1-800-637-2676.

CUNA Mutual Group is the leading provider of financial products and services to credit unions and their members worldwide. More information on the company is available on the company’s Web site at www.cunamutual.com.