DakCU News & Notes

TCCU’s Jacob Fannik earns CUERP designation; plus food drives; holiday events; scholarships; webinars; and more.

Jacob Fannik

Fannik earns CUERP designation
Congratulations to Jacob Fannik, Vice President of Risk Management at Town & Country Credit Union (TCCU), on earning the Certified Credit Union Enterprise Risk Professional (CUERP) designation from America’s Credit Unions. Jacob joined TCCU in 2023 and brings nearly a decade of experience in financial services, including expertise in lending and credit quality. Now in his third year leading risk management, he continues to build a strong, adaptable framework that aligns with TCCU’s mission and growth objectives. This achievement highlights his commitment to advancing Enterprise Risk Management and supporting TCCU’s strategic growth through strong risk leadership and forward-thinking practices.
 
Credit Unions United Hosting Food Drive
The Credit Unions United Chapter is hosting a food drive through November 20. All food, household paper supplies, and toiletries collected will be picked up during the week of November 21st and will be delivered to the food pantry at Cornerstone Soup Kitchen. Drop off locations and more information here. 
 
Red River Chapter Friendsgiving
The Red River Chapter will hold their annual “Friendsgiving” gathering on Thursday, November 20, at Junkyard – West Fargo Location – 409 Sheyenne, St. starting at 5:30 p.m. Dinner will be catered by Spitfire for $20/per person. A food drive contest will be held in conjunction with this dinner and all credit unions are encouraged to participate. A $250 prize to a charity of choice will be awarded to the credit union who brings the most donations! Kindly RSVP to Kori by TODAY, November 13.
 
Red River Chapter Holiday Social
The Red River Chapter will host a holiday social on Thursday, December 4, at TAK Music Venue in Dilworth, MN.  Meet at 5:30 p.m. for dinner ($26/person) and the annual Irish Auction to benefit Spread Your Sunshine. Please RSVP to Kori by Tuesday, November 26.
 
SD Central Chapter Meeting
The SE605 Chapter of Credit Unions will be hosting a free credit union social on Thursday, December 18 at Union Social -310 Industrial Rd, Harrisburg, SD from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Join credit union peers for heavy appetizers, drink tickets, bowling, and open game play! RSVP to Tiffany.
 
CUDE Registration Open
Registration is open for the 2026 Development Education (DE) programs through America’s Credit Unions! Both in-person and virtual options are available, offering credit union professionals the chance to earn their CUDE designation and deepen their understanding of the credit union difference. In-person sessions are scheduled for Tampa, FL, and Madison, WI, and the virtual program will run in November and December. Although the February and June sessions are full, you can still join the waitlist. DakCU Foundation scholarships are available to help cover registration costs so don’t miss this opportunity to apply and take part in this transformative experience!
 
SE605 Chapter of Credit Unions Scholarship
The SE605 Chapter of Credit Unions is excited to announce a $2,000 scholarship for a credit union employee to use towards continuing their education within the CU Industry. Click here for an informative flyer. Please be sure to include what school you are looking to attend. Applications are due by December 31 to [email protected].
 
Envisant Webinar: Reach Your Potential
November 19 10:00 a.m. CST
As fraud threats grow, Trusted Contacts provide a unique way for credit unions to protect members while also building stronger, multigenerational relationships. This webinar will explore how family-inclusive fraud prevention not only keeps account holders safe but also introduces your credit union to the next generation of members. Register here.

Jackson Lewis Webinar: Labor & Employment Law Update
December 10 2:00 p.m. CST
Chad Richter, Principal at Jackson Lewis, will present a 60-minute webinar on the most significant labor and employment law developments of 2025 and their impact on your credit union. Chad will review recent changes and share best practices for minimizing risk. Topics will include essential policies every business should have in their handbook, updates on wage and hour regulations, and strategies for managing leave and absence issues in the workplace. Join Chad and other credit unions as we explore these important developments. No registration required—just save the date! Be sure to add this free webinar to your calendar so you don’t miss it. 
​Join the webinar here. 

Webinar: Fraud Trends & Prevention: Interactive Panel with Envisant
December 11 1:00 p.m. CST
Fraudsters never take a holiday—and neither does Envisant when it comes to helping credit unions protect their members! Join Envisant’s expert panel, hosted by Anthony Mondello, for an engaging year-end discussion on the latest fraud trends, prevention strategies, and real-world solutions credit unions are using to stay ahead. Have a Question About Fraud? Submit a question when you register to be entered into our Fraud Buster Giveaway for a chance to win a gift card! Register here.
 
Alloya Receives 2025 Kim Bannan Eternal Flame Award
Alloya Corporate Federal Credit Union is honored to be a recipient of the 2025 Kim Bannan Eternal Flame Award. The award, named after California’s Credit Unions’ late vice president of credit union development and research and information, recognizes efforts that contribute to the success and future of Shapiro Group credit unions.
 
The award highlights the vital role Alloya plays in helping smaller credit unions thrive by offering knowledgeable, dependable and member-focused services tailored to their unique needs. Through its cooperative model, Alloya provides access to expert guidance, cutting-edge technology and back-office solutions that would otherwise be out of reach for many small institutions. Their team of account executives and investment representatives deliver personalized, strategic support, ensuring each credit union receives the attention and expertise needed to navigate complex financial landscapes. Read the full press release here.
 
One Stop GAC Shop
The Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC) will be held in Washington, D.C. March 1 – 5, 2025. For those interested in attending, DakCU has prepared a “one stop” GAC shop on our website, which you can find here. This convenience allows you to register for the conference, make your hotel reservations, and apply for a scholarship for financial assistance. Please contact John Alexander or Kenley Lamberty with any questions about the GAC agenda.
 
GAC Crasher Opportunity
The best way to ensure the continued success of our movement is to capture the attention, dedication, and enthusiasm of future leaders. That is why credit union leaders should encourage their young professionals to expand their industry network and gain confidence by applying as a GAC Crasher. One Crasher is selected from each state. Crashers receive free conference registration. If selected, DakCU is offering a scholarship which can be used for travel, hotel, and incidentals. The deadline for applications is December 1 and the application can be found here.
 
Help Us Stay Up to Date with Your Staff
Please help us to make sure that your employees are receiving the Memo and are in our database for other important information. We strive to bring you the latest important information related to advocacy, compliance, networking and educational opportunities, and more. Is everyone at your credit union receiving this information? Be sure we have the names, title, and email address of any new employees. The more information your staff has, the better for all of us!  Email Annie Elhard to be added to our distribution list or sign up directly here on our website.
 
Share News
Submit your news to Annie Elhard. Employee promotions, awards, new products or services, community involvement/recognition, job openings, all are welcome! 

---