CUNA Certified Financial Counselor School: Part I
Topics & Objectives

Please note that the Topics/Objectives listed below are subject to change.

Communication Process for a Financial Counselor

• Understand several important communication principles
• Discuss the different ways in which members communicate
• Identify factors that influence and also create obstacles in the communication process
• Understand the important role of listening skills

Creditors and Consumer Rights & Remedies

• Discuss the variety of creditor remedies used today
• Establish members’ options for stopping or preventing garnishments, repossessions, and foreclosures
• Explore the bankruptcy process from the lender and consumer viewpoint
• Review the legal issues with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)

Designing & Implementing a Financial Counseling Program

• Learn how to determine your member's needs and institutional attitudes
• Analyze your department structure and program personnel
• Discuss the development of training programs, adequate counseling facilities, and effective policies and procedures

Financial Counseling Overview & the Role of the Financial Counselor

• Identify myths and goals of financial counseling
• Examine a model for your budget counseling process
• Learn ways to help your members clarify and resolve their financial problems
• Learn how the real cost of credit can discourage over-spending

Helping Members Work with Creditors

• Identify the financial counselor’s role
• Teach your members how to negotiate with creditors honestly and fairly
• Learn how to help your members construct a letter for creditors
• Discuss what to do when members are unable to make payments due to job loss, disability, and other severe financial problems

Investigating Financial Solutions & Options

• Identify options and practical solutions to credit problems
• Learn ways to help your members understand their financial situation and options
• Identify resources and opportunities to help reduce your member’s monthly deficit

Problem Prevention, Education & Information Programs

• Discuss credit union awareness for "best practices"
• Determine tools and resources to help your members prevent credit issues
• Establish just-in-time intervention tools to keep members on the "straight and narrow"

Public Agencies & Community Resources

• Help your members determine when they are eligible for external assistance
• Establish a list of external resources on a state, regional, and national level
• Develop a resource guide to use for member access and referrals

Spending Plans

• Show your members how to develop a plan for spending, bill paying, and saving
• Help your members build savings on a tight budget
• Learn to demonstrate two ways to accelerate debt reduction
• Help your members find alternatives to bankruptcy

Understanding & Improving Creditworthiness

• Learn the six factors lenders look at when considering a loan
• Understand how credit scores are determined
• Discuss what your members can do to improve their credit score and creditworthiness

Understanding Your Member's Financial Issues

• Understand your member's environment
• Discuss why your members act the way they do
• Identify financial problems and their impact
• Distinguish differences between financial crises, emergencies, and problems