Web Case Study-CU Achieves Record Growth

 Arkansas FCU Nearly Doubles Assets During This Recession,

See How They Did It On the Recorded ‘Connect with Leaders’ Webinar

Participants listened to Arkansas Federal Credit Union’s (https://www.afcu.org/) CEO, Larry Biernacki, on Cardwell’s October 2009 “Connect with Leaders” webinar.  The session was filled with leadership insight and learning.  Biernacki discussed how he transformed his credit union’s culture from static to dynamic.  By incorporating Connections Online (Cardwell’s automated strategy execution tool), he streamlined his in-house operations and energized his team – nearly doubling the asset size of his credit union in five tough economic years from $400 million to $760 million. The complimentary webinar took place Wednesday, October 28th at 1:30 p.m. (EST).

Go to this link for a recording of the webinar:  http://www.connectionsonline.net/docs/2009-10-28-lb-webinar. wmv

Comments on the session:  I enjoyed the webinar very much.  My executive team and I were able to get some good ideas-and inspiration.  I felt we received a rich return on our ½ hour investment of time.  It was definitely time well-spent!  Thank you!  Peggy J. Bosma-Lamascus, President/CEO, Patriot Federal Credit Union, Chambersburg, PA

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Prior to this impressive performance record, Arkansas Federal was a medium-sized, slow-growth organization with significant communication, teamwork, and project management challenges. Today, Arkansas Federal has turned these issues into assets.  

Since Biernacki became the credit union’s new CEO over four years ago, it has – along with nearly doubling in asset size – dramatically outpaced the industry in organic membership growth as well as net savings and loan growth. Its employee survey scores went from below average to “best in class.” It just received the highest rating from NCUA, won two Credit Union Journal Best Practice Awards, and was recently honored with the Business of the Year Award for the state of Arkansas.  And, perhaps most interestingly, this was all achieved with the same staff and without mergers.  Biernacki shared the specific tactics he used to build an organization characterized by high levels of positive energy and performance momentum.  

During the webinar, Biernacki provided insight on where they started; where they are today; and how they achieved such dramatic results.  In the process, he showed how Connections Online provided the skeleton that helped the credit union succeed.  He shared how he has used a well-defined infrastructure, along with coaching and performance expectations, to create a high-engagement workplace that is disciplined, productive, and motivated.

“Larry Biernacki may be one of the best leaders in the Credit Union Industry,” says Jim Cardwell, CEO of Cardwell. “He has a well-defined sense of purpose, clear priorities, and a coaching culture built around teamwork, support, feedback and recognition.  He is one of a handful of leaders who have positively transformed their organizations during this recession.  Arkansas Federal’s performance shows how an organization can greatly enhance its performance and energize its team with Connections Online. They are providing better service to members, thus enhancing their organization’s value.”