How financial counseling can improve the lives of you and your members

Working with credit unions to add financial counseling services to your professional portfolio can provide an array of benefits to you, your members and your credit union. You’ll change your members’ lives for the better while also doing the same for yourself.

Benefits include:

Job Prospects

The Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected that the field of financial advising will grow by 30 percent between 2014 and 2024, and credit unions across the country are looking to add more counseling professionals.

Attracting new members

Nothing makes fans out of your members like helping them through tough financial times. You will make close personal connections with your members, and they will become advocates for your credit union.

Making a positive difference

Research shows time and time again that people’s financial health has a direct effect on their mental health, and dealing with debt creates a tremendous amount of stress. People in debt are three times more likely to have mental health issues, and financial problems can often feel inescapable. As a financial counselor, you can lift an enormous burden off their shoulders and help them live better, less stressful lives.

Reducing delinquency and charge-offs

While helping your members gain financial confidence, you’re also helping your credit union eliminate delinquencies and regain confidence in your struggling members.

How do you get started?

To become a financial counselor, you need training and certification to prove to your credit union and members that you have the communication and personal finance expertise to succeed.

CUNA Financial Counseling Certification Program (FiCEP) offers many different affordable and convenient options to earn your stripes as a financial counselor. With your choice of eSchools or self-study print and PDF courses, you’ll gain a comprehensive education of credit union financial counseling and earn your Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor (CCUFC) designation upon completion of exam.

By becoming a financial counselor, you will create a positive difference for your members, your credit union and yourself.

To learn more about CUNA FiCEP and the CCUFC designation, please visit cuna.org/ficep.