Corporate Central holds annual Economic Outlook Conference
MILWAUKEE, WI (October 16, 2018) — Credit union professionals from the Midwest gathered in Wisconsin’s capital last Thursday for Corporate Central Credit Union’s 2018 Economic Outlook Conference. Held at the Monona Terrace, the annual event offered credit union-specific economic insights and covered issues related to fiscal policy, market opportunity, risk management, and growth planning. Speakers also discussed trends impacting the industry.
“Hosting the annual Economic Outlook Conference is both a pleasure and a privilege,” said Chris Felton, President/CEO, Corporate Central. “Our purpose in bringing credit union executives together to learn and exchange valuable information about the current and upcoming economic environment is to help credit unions prosper. We greatly appreciate our expert speakers for their time, insights, and advice, and we equally appreciate all who attended to share experiences and knowledge.”
“Seeing the economic and financial landscape from a variety of vantage points is crucial for future planning,” said Nick Fanning, SVP/Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Central. “The conference offers participants big-picture information they can take back to their credit unions to help guide and inform their budgeting and strategic planning in the coming months.”
“The Economic Outlook speakers share a variety of perspectives about the financial services industry,” said Douglas Anderson, SVP/Chief Financial Officer, CoVantage Credit Union. “This event promoted free-flowing sharing of ideas among Corporate Central members and with staff.”
Speakers and topics covered included:
- Clare Zempel, CFA, CBE, Principal, Zempel Strategic. Zempel spoke about the economic and financial outlook for 2018-2021, specifically addressing trade-war threats, narrowing yield spreads, and other dark headlines that have fueled unrest in the financial markets despite economic indicators telling a more positive story. He also advised participants about how to protect their credit unions during market downturns, and how to exploit opportunity in times of economic upturns.
- Daniel Heckman, SVP, National Investment Consultant, U.S. Bank. Heckman provided participants with a 2018 economic and market update, specifically addressing the question of how much longer the current upswing will last, the impact of tax cuts on the U.S. economy, and the impact of recent tariffs on the global economy. He also spoke on potential Federal Reserve rate hikes and ongoing trade battles that threaten to derail the U.S. economy and capital markets.
- Curt Long, Chief Economist and Vice President of Research, NAFCU. Long spoke on shifting patterns in U.S. household finance, specifically addressing how the Great Recession will impact families for decades to come. He reviewed recent changes in consumer behavior and the household balance sheet modifications those behaviors have instigated. His presentation also provided insights into the future of overall household finance.
- Jay Johnson, President, CUFSLP. Johnson spoke about the “New Credit Union Era,” addressing the industry’s future opportunities and challenges. He addressed how rising interest rates, the shifting regulatory climate, and increased competition will affect credit unions going forward. His presentation provided real-world examples of successful strategies, tactics and programs, and offered a new way of thinking about cooperative benchmarking.
Corporate Central’s 2019 Economic Outlook Conference will be held on October 10, 2019. More information about the conference will be released at a later date.
About Corporate Central Credit Union
Corporate Central Credit Union is a federally insured financial cooperative built on the values of commitment to service, fiscal responsibility, and respect for the individual. We cultivate a culture of respect, ethics, teamwork, and innovation. We are "Helping Members to be Wildly Successful" by delivering industry knowledge and expertise to help credit unions achieve their strategic objectives and compete in today’s evolving financial services industry. We are motivated to passionately serve our members and strive to learn, create, and innovate daily. Please visit corpcu.com to learn more, and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
