CUNA Certified Financial Counselor School: Advanced
Topics & Objectives

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

Challenges & Best Practice Discussions

• Network with other credit union professionals on challenges faced as a financial counselor
• Describe and discuss best practices in credit union financial counseling

Communicate to Build Relationships

• Establish the best way to create trust and rapport with your members
• Learn how to respond to a member’s perception of your counseling session
• Explore how to overcome communication barriers

Delinquent Taxes

• Understand how to deal with delinquent taxes
• Review available tax payment options at the local, state, and federal level
• Learn to adjust a spending plan to deal with tax liabilities

Financial Counseling a Member Who is Facing a Bankruptcy

• Review and understand bankruptcy alternatives
• Compare the differences between a Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy
• Review the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention Consumer Protection Act (BAPCPA) and it’s impact on bankruptcy filings, consumers, and creditors
• Establish how to work with a member who has no other alternative than to file for bankruptcy

Financial Counseling Techniques

• Discuss how to establish an open and communicative counseling session
• Gain a better understanding of how appreciative listening will continue to build a relationship
• Learn how to see the world through the subjective experience of your member

Self Awareness & Building Relationships

• Discuss how powerful Emotional Intelligence (EQ) can be in your role at your credit union
• Gain a better understanding about who you are and how that plays a role in building and maintaining relationships
• Create your own EQ analysis and use this information to enhance self awareness and self-management skills

Student Loans

• Evaluate higher education funding options
• Understand different types of student loans
• Identify options for members who are behind on student loan payments
• Review the consequences of not honoring student loan agreements
• Help members create a college spending plan
• Understand the impact of student loans on one’s future

Only participants who are getting their Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor (CCUFC) recertification need to attend on Thursday, April 2, 2009.