Sector Analysis
Investment diversification, an essential component of risk management, requires careful analysis and planning. In this session, examine the important role asset allocation plays in improving your credit union portfolio’s risk-adjusted, expected returns. This segment will also explore:

• The current environment
• Sectors that look attractive
• Sectors to avoid
• Sector analysis

The Impact of Yield-Curve Twists
Traditional investment analysis reviews the impact of yield curve shifts on the value of a security. During this portion of the webinar, discuss answers to these questions:

• Is a traditional investment analysis enough to make an informed decision?
• What other information and analyses can be used to utilize in order to gauge the effect of changes on the curve?

Liquidity Risk Regulatory Alert
In March 2010, federal banking agencies, including the NCUA, issued a an inter-agency policy statement: Funding and Liquidity Risk Management. This document focuses on sound liquidity management practices for institutions of all sizes. This segment includes:

• A summary of this policy statement
• A discussion of liquidity risk measurement
• Contingency funding plans and stress testing

Portfolio Management - Hedging Career Risk
As the topic of interest rate risk takes center stage in this low interest rate environment, credit union portfolio managers have a lot to consider. First, they must play two roles: investor and risk manager. Then as they balance these responsibilities, they must hedge against criticism if rates do not cooperate. The key to solidifying career longevity and job satisfaction is success in both roles, coupled with proactive communication. In this segment, with the balance sheet as our context, we will explore:

• The importance of managing expectations among your credit union's board, ALCO and C-level peers, ahead of the expected impact of changing rates
• How to best align income needs with the institutional risk tolerance of your credit union

Re-Emerging Interest Rate Risk
Managing risk at the bottom of the rate cycle may present a challenge for some credit union balance sheets. Several regulators have voiced concern that financial institutions may be loading up on too much interest rate risk. Are their concerns justified? If so, what is the best way to measure and manage this potential threat? During this Connection segment, the presenter will:

• Examine the recent “Advisory on Interest Rate Risk Management”. 
• Discuss ways credit unions can get ahead of the curve with additional interest rate risk measurement techniques for this unique environment.

Investing in a Rising Rate Environment
Interest rates have remained at historic lows for some time. From here, there is a better chance of rates increasing than decreasing. While we do not want to risk everything by betting on an increase, we do want to pay close attention to investment decisions in a rates-up environment. In this segment, the presenter will:

• Review investment decisions that should be avoided
• Explore areas of focus for new investment decisions

Analyzing Non-maturity Deposits
To properly manage the asset side of the balance sheet, the liability side must be fully understood. Non- maturity deposits make up a substantial part of many credit unions' balance sheets. However, this area is often the least understood, from a behavioral standpoint. This segment will introduce:

• Quantitative methods for analyzing regular share accounts
• Quantitative methods for analyzing money market accounts
• Ideas for interpreting the rate sensitivity of those deposits

Economic Update
Recent history and the current environment have created changes impacting markets. How can credit unions successfully navigate the “new environment?” This segment will cover:

• Mortgage markets
• Capital markets
• Lending markets

Determining Appropriate Risk Tolerance Levels

Finding Value in the Markets

Understanding the CMO Market
Interest rates remain at historically low levels. The Federal Reserve is clearly on hold. Given these realities, credit unions must explore every investment option in their arsenal to enhance income on their investment portfolio. In this segment of the Connection webinar, we will focus on the Collateralized Mortgage Obligation (CMO) market. This is an introductory course designed to educate credit union investors who are interested in better understanding this dynamic market. During the session, we will examine:

• The CMO market
• How CMOs are created
• Sequential and planned amortization class tranches

Finding Value in the Markets
Investment options available to credit unions can be difficult to compare. Why is this? Because risk factors inherent in some investments do not exist in others, the challenge becomes evident. We will examine one way to assess options, so you can make informed decisions. Join us as we explore:

• Investment options
• Risk factors
• Best way to common-size all options
• How to make better relative-value decisions

• How creating a sector allocation strategy can better align yield with risk mitigation
• Investment diversification
• Sector allocation
• The pursuit of a more efficient balance sheet

How to Prepare for Shrinking Spreads
With tight spreads being the norm during these difficult economic times, this presentation will explore spread as it relates to marketable securities. Join us as we examine:

• Spread history
• The current spread reality
• Where spreads may head in the future, in light of conditions
• Strategies to increase spreads in the investment portfolio