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Enhanced Financial Counseling Certification Program (E-FiCEP)

Enhanced Financial Counseling Certification Program (E-FiCEP)

CUNA’s Financial Counseling Certification Program (CUNA FiCEP) offers credit union employees the skills and knowledge required to guide their members toward making sound financial decisions.

AVCU’s Enhanced FiCEP (E-FiCEP) builds on CUNA’s core curriculum by supplementing the traditional self-study program with the addition of an orientation webinar, eight tutorial webinars, exam preparation, exam proctoring, and program development training from June to October. The training concludes with students passing the online certification exam with complimentary proctoring services provided by AVCU.

Students passing their exam will attain the Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor (CCUFC) designation which is valid for three years. CCUFCs are required to recertify every three years to ensure that their knowledge about financial counseling is current, but no additional testing is required. E-FiCEP is provided in partnership between AVCU, CUNA’s Center for Professional Development (CUNA CPD), and CU Difference.

Although the webinars are available as recordings, attending the live webinars provides students the opportunity to participate in interactive discussions with their credit union peers across the country. Students should plan to spend approximately 30 minutes studying each chapter, 60 minutes participating in each webinar, and additional time as needed to review the materials prior to taking the online proctored exam. This is followed by one final training session designed to help newly certified CCUFCs develop a detailed vision and plan for their credit union to offer ongoing member financial counseling.

Completing the training and earning the CCUFC designation allows Vermont credit unions to differentiate themselves from for-profit financial institutions. More importantly, it gives financial counsellors the confidence needed to help members emerge from the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and build a stronger financial future for their family.

More information about AVCU’s E-FiCEP is available in the labelled tabs below.

Please Note: The registration deadline for E-FiCEP is Friday, May 6, 2022

Introduction to FiCEP and Orientation webinar: Thursday, June 2 (Time TBD)

Webinar 1:  Review Chapters 1 & 2 - Thursday, June 16, 3:00 pm ET

Webinar 2:  Review Chapters 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8 - Thursday, June 30, 3:00 pm ET

Webinar 3:  Review Chapters 9, 10, 11 & 12 - Thursday, July 14, 3:00 pm ET

Webinar 4:  Review Chapters 13, 14 & 15 - Thursday, July 28, 3:00 pm ET

Webinar 5:  Review Chapters 16, 17, 18, 19 & 20 - Thursday, August 11, 3:00 pm ET

Webinar 6:  Review Chapters 21, 22, 23 & 24 - Thursday, August 25 3:00 pm ET

Webinar 7:  Review Chapters 25, 26, 27 & 28 - Thursday, September 8, 3:00 pm ET

Webinar 8:  Review Chapters 29, 30, 31, 32 & 33 - Thursday, September 22, 3:00 pm ET

Testing and Training (Time TBD) - Week of October 17

The Enhanced FiCEP builds confidence in credit union staff when helping members strengthen their financial future. While certain employees may see different benefits of completing the Enhanced FiCEP, there is built-in value to participants at all levels due to the credit union-specific nature of this program.

FiCEP enhances credit union services through:

  • Developing financial counseling skills that become a part of the credit union’s culture;
  • Curriculum built for all staff levels to ensure every member interaction includes confident and consistent financial counseling;
  • Satisfying members’ needs as they continually look for the value of the credit union;
  • Differentiating the credit union with certified financial counselors; and
  • Helping members transform the way they handle financial questions.  

​Upon completion of this program, participants will receive the Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor (CCUFC) designation. Credit union staff who typically pursue the CCUFC designation include:

  • Senior Management
  • Branch Managers
  • Educators / Business Development / Marketing
  • Lending Department
  • Collections Department
  • Branch Employees – Member Service Representatives, Loan Officers, and Tellers

As a central part of its mission to provide resources for credit unions and communities to prosper and thrive, AVCU is providing comprehensive E-FiCEP administrative support to enable students to focus on learning and achieving their certification. The program is provided in partnership between the Association of Vermont Credit Unions, CUNA's Center for Professional Development, and CU Difference.

Contact John Cote with questions.

Enhanced FiCEP costs (per participating student):

  • $459 (invoiced by AVCU) for the nine webinars, the October pre-exam training, and AVCU's exam proctoring services.
  • $530 to purchase the 5th Edition Financial Counseling Certification Program book from CUNA. AVCU will order the student's choice (selected at the time of registration) of a printed book or an encrypted PDF on their behalf and CUNA will invoice their credit union directly. Please note that the PDF cannot be shared.

Click here to submit your registration via SurveyMonkey. Payment is not required today as AVCU will invoice your credit union for your E-FiCEP registration.