News | CFTEA | Center for Financial Training & Education Alliance

Illustration of CFTEA's mascot a wide eyed owl, Ollie, wearing a graduation cap standing next to an alarm clock, representing time to complete coursework or reach an educational goal, with cftea.org displayed.

When Life Happens (and Ollie Notices)

October 10, 2025

Life can be a juggling act with work, family, school, and everything in between. That is exactly why CFTEA sends quarterly reminders to students who still have a course listed as in progress. We get it. You might have started strong and then suddenly found yourself helping with homework, putting out office fires, or realizing that dinner just turned into cereal again. It happens to all of us. But here is the thing, your course matters, and so does finishing

When Learning Went In House and the C Bucks Went Wild

October 9, 2025

What happens when you put three powerhouse panelists, a lively audience, and a stack of CFTEA C Bucks in the same room? You get one unforgettable session at the 2025 CFTEA Leaders Conference. Our first ever In House Training Panel brought together Jessi Jaquish (Union Bank), Emily Frechette (Partners Bank), and Maureen Golden (Community National Bank) to share how they turned CFTEA course material into powerful internal training programs. They spoke honestly about what worked, what stretched their creativity, and

A Guiding Light in Leadership

October 8, 2025

At the 2025 CFTEA Leaders Conference, Executive Director Andrew Lederer was honored with the first ever CFTEA North Star Award for Leadership that Inspires. This special recognition celebrates years of steady direction, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to the mission of CFTEA. During a time when small organizations struggled to stay afloat, Andrew guided CFTEA through tremendous change, moving from a physical office to a fully remote environment, strengthening financial reserves to weather future challenges, and establishing a thoughtful succession plan

New Course Alert: Harnessing AI for Learning and Development

October 7, 2025

Artificial intelligence is everywhere these days. It is writing emails, creating cat memes, and probably trying to convince your coffee maker it is self-aware. But for learning and development professionals, AI is becoming an essential tool for smarter and more efficient training. That is where CFTEA’s new course, Harnessing AI for Learning and Development, comes in. Whether you are cautiously experimenting with ChatGPT or diving in with curiosity, this course helps you understand how AI works, how to use it

Because “Keep Calm” Posters Only Go So Far

October 6, 2025

We have all been there. A customer on the phone, someone fuming across the counter, or a coworker channeling their inner Michael Scott. Suddenly, you are in the middle of chaos wondering, “Is this really my life right now?” Calming Upset Customers is your two-hour sanity saver on Tuesday, October 7 from 6 to 8 PM on Zoom. Learn real-world tools to stay cool, find solutions, and handle tough moments without pulling a Dwight-style fire drill. Plus, it is on

Stay Certified Without Losing Your Sanity (or Your Wallet)

October 3, 2025

Renewing HRCI and SHRM certifications does not have to feel like hunting for socks in the dryer. A number of CFTEA courses apply directly toward your annual credit requirements. Search under Courses for your credential, pick what fits, and keep your certifications current without breaking the bank. Affordable, flexible, and actually useful for your career. Discover more at cftea.org/courses

October’s Guided Learning Sale

October 1, 2025

Fall into savings! Take advantage of 10% off during the Guided Learning Sale. Applies to enrollments received October 1, 2025 – October 31, 2025. Explore All Guided Learning Classes ABA Analyzing Financial Statements Gain a practical introduction to financial analysis from the viewpoint of a commercial loan officer. Banking Today An introduction to how banks operate, their role in the U.S. economy, and how it impacts your job. A great course for those new to banking! Business Math Gain a

CFTEA Gave Back Over $40,000 This Year!

September 30, 2025

That’s not a typo. During the 2024–2025 fiscal year, CFTEA provided over $40,000 in free courses to the organizations we partner with—helping them stretch their training dollars further while providing more recognition opportunities for their employees. ❓Was this because of overinflated prices? Not at all. For years, CFTEA has intentionally built free courses into certificates and certifications, allowing financial institutions to: ✔️ Test~drive content without risk ✔️ Recognize more employees for their growth ✔️ Expand career development without expanding budgets

Creating Psychological Safety at Work

September 29, 2025

New to supervising? Or a seasoned leader who knows today’s teams need more than task lists to thrive? That’s why people are raving about our Creating Psychological Safety at Work course. It gives supervisors the tools to build trust, encourage open communication, and create an environment where employees feel safe to speak up (without the awkward silence). ✨ Take it as a standalone course OR tap into savings by enrolling as part of the Modern Supervisor Certificate. Either way, you’ll

The kids are back in school… but what about you?

September 26, 2025

Life’s a lot like Mario Kart—you’re dodging bananas, getting red-shelled by deadlines, and hoping there’s a shortcut around the next corner. That’s why now’s the perfect time to start your own race with CFTEA. Test-drive a single course or go full circuit toward a certificate, certification, or diploma. And if your organization covers CFTEA courses, that’s like hitting the golden mushroom—boosting your career without draining your wallet. Ready to level up? Start your engines.