“It’s one thing to have the knowledge and to have access to the tools. And all of that is exceptionally important. But you have to look at everybody’s individual situations and […] think about […] what their drivers are for living their life.”
— Courtney Fulmer
During this episode of The Art of Allowance Podcast, host John Lanza speaks with guest Courtney Fulmer, the newly appointed President/Chief Executive Officer of SECNY Federal Credit Union. They begin by discussing the opportunities credit unions have to combat America’s “financial illiteracy epidemic” and the role these institutions play in providing psychological support to their members. Courtney then shares how her journey teaching her son money smarts evolved, how her family influenced her financial decision-making and how her colorguard experiences impacted her credit union leadership. She also emphasizes the need for empathy and community support when offering financial education.
Courtney Fulmer is the President/Chief Executive Officer of SECNY Federal Credit Union in Syracuse, NY. She has worked at this institution for over 20 years in various operations, marketing and business development roles. Courtney initiated youth programming at SECNY, which has been a Money Mammals and an Art of Allowance Project partner for nearly a decade. She is also a colorguard staff instructor for her high school alma mater and serves as Secretary of the New York State Field Band Conference. Courtney received her degree in Public Relations from Syracuse University and resides in Syracuse with her husband and teenage son.
Links (From the Show)
- Connecting with Courtney
- Money-Smart Mentions
- Alison Plaut’s Benzinga article on the “financial illiteracy epidemic”
- Our Adolescent$ “Good Money Habits” video on paying yourself first
- Physicist Richard Feynman
- The Money Mammals picture book, Joe the Monkey Saves for a Goal
Show Notes (Find what’s most interesting to you!)
- Courtney’s path to becoming a CEO and a band mom [3:31]
- How credit unions can combat the “financial illiteracy epidemic” [5:20]
- On education and empathy [8:32]
- Addressing the fine line between providing financial advice and offering psychological help [11:37]
- Courtney’s money-smart journey began by looking at a piggy bank. [13:18]
- How Courtney overcame paralyzing fear to become money-empowered [15:47]
- Courtney’s allowance program focused on tangibility and visibility. [18:02]
- Adjusting an allowance program for mobile technology [21:39]
- Kids are sponges! Don’t underestimate what they can understand. [22:57]
- Can financial literacy fail? [24:18]
- Take Courtney’s Pop Pop’s advice to “pay yourself first.” [28:47]
- Courtney’s colorguard connection influenced her credit union leadership. [32:33]
- The road to money empowerment includes both successes and failures. [34:49]
- “Big Brain Trips” [35:11]
- “Work hard. Be kind. Do good.” [37:22]
- Pop Pop’s “pay yourself first” mantra strikes again! [39:02]
- Courtney’s money-smart recommendations for the young and the young at heart [39:53]
- Connecting with Courtney online [41:13]
- Continuing the credit union cooperative spirit [41:36]
If you liked this episode …
Interested in learning more about the psychological support needed on the money-smart journey? During his appearance on The Art of Allowance Podcast, comedic financial speaker Colin Ryan discusses building trust and shared understanding on the road to money empowerment. His comments on thoughtful listening (at 1:09:33) complement Courtney’s own.
Want to dive deeper into the concept of money shame? Personal Finance Columnist and CNBC Personality Kelli Grant explains the roots of money shame in her podcast episode. Tune in at 6:33 as she offers her analysis and provides strategies to overcome this pervasive issue.
Need to talk to your teen, like Courtney, about the safety measures required when managing funds electronically? Author and digital literacy advocate Diana Graber shares basic starting points for keeping information safe online at the 21:14 mark of her podcast appearance. This short video on creating a good password might also be helpful.
Looking for encouragement to spread the credit union cooperative spirit? During her time on The Art of Allowance Podcast, award-winning financial educator (And cheerleader!) Veronica Dangerfield outlines how credit unions are impacting their members’ financial lives for the better. Give her pep talk a listen at 15:51.
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