WCMS Student Guide: Accessing and Using Callahan’s Peer Suite for Your Projects

This guide will walk you through how to use Callahan’s Peer Suite for your WCMS Projects I & II.


Accessing Peer Suite

Peer Suite houses many of the materials needed for your WCMS projects. Here’s how to access it through the Callahan Portal:

Log In to the Callahan Portal

    • Existing Users: If your credit union is a Callahan subscriber and you already have credentials, log in using those.
    • New to Callahan? No worries! Your new account has already been set up, and the details were shared with you via WCMS at the start of the term.
    • Forgotten your login details? Click the “Forgot Password” button on the login page to reset it.
    • Need Help? If you’re encountering issues, reach out to us for assistance: WCMS@Callahan.com

  • Option 1: Find the “Peer Suite” link in the software tools drop-down menu on the left navigation.
  • Option 2: Look for the “Peer Software” section at the top of your screen.

Then click open Peer Suite on the next page.


Setting Up Your Analysis

Once you're in Peer Suite, you can configure your analysis according to your project's structure.

In Peer Suite, your analysis is built around two key elements: “The Who” and “The What.”

      • The Who: The refers to who you are looking to analyze - your credit union, other credit unions, and peer groups, known as your Comparison Set.
      • The What: This is the data you wish to analyze for the institutions selected in your “Who."

The Who: Select Your Comparison Set

    • Primary: Ensure your credit union is the primary, indicated in dark blue, within your comparison set.

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  • This is crucial as some displays only show data for your primary institution.
  • On your first login, Peer Suite will auto-populate your credit union as the primary within your comparison set.
  • If you do not work for a natural person credit union, your primary will auto-populate with Veridian. In this case, please be sure to swap out your primary with the one you wish to use for your project before you begin your analysis.
    • Add Institutions: Choose additional institutions or peer groups based on your project’s instructions.
      • Use the comparison search in the upper left to find NCUA-defined asset band peer groups and other institutions.

      • If you need to create custom peer groups for your projects, this guide will walk you through the process.

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Hovering over the pills in your comparison set will display high-level metrics.

Project Note:

Peer Suite remembers your last comparison set, but always double-check to ensure it aligns with your project’s requirements before beginning your analysis.


The What: WCMS Project Folders

  • The WCMS Project Folders are located in the left navigation, just below the My Projects section.  
    • This folder contains displays tailored for Project I and Project II.

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If you're unable to find your WCMS Project folder, use the search bar at the top of the left navigation as shown below.

Can't find your search bar? Check to see if hidden by clicking the arrow in the upper right corner.


Project Note:

These folders contain all the essential metrics you'll need within the Peer Suite platform. However, there may be instances where you need to access data that is proprietary to your credit union. If you have any questions about these specific data sets, please reach out to WCMS or your project reader for assistance.


Adjusting Date Ranges

  • Use the Display Toolbar to adjust the trend length and customize the date range.
    • By default, Peer Suite shows data for the most recent quarter available.
    • To align with your WCMS project guidelines, set the date range to the second quarter (2Q) of your term year.

Project Note:

Full data for 2Q is typically released by the NCUA in early September. For the most accurate analysis, consider waiting until after this release to begin your projects.


Remember to verify the date range each time you log in. It should be set to 2Q for your term year. As the year progresses, Peer Suite will automatically update to display the most recent quarter, so you’ll need to manually reset the date range back to 2Q.

Want to adjust your display view? Use the Display Toolbar to switch between chart and table formats, and explore peer group breakdowns for a more detailed analysis. For further guidance, check out our guide: Exploring Peer Suite's Display Views.


Downloading Displays

  • Find the download option in the top right corner of your canvas, highlighted in blue.
  • Click the drop-down to explore other export options for your selected display.

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You can download displays individually or opt for bulk downloads, including entire folders and dashboards.

Recommendations:

    • Excel: Ideal for in-depth data analysis. Note that tables can only be exported to Excel and our Data Connector.
    • PowerPoint: Best for visual presentations and charts.

Support

We’re here to help with any navigation issues and login problems! However, please note that due to course constraints, we cannot assist with specific analysis questions or ratios. Feel free to reach out within these parameters, and we’ll be happy to assist you.

Before you start working on your projects, remember to always:

  • Verify Your Comparison Set: Confirm it aligns with your project objectives.
  • Check the Date Range: Ensure it matches WCMS guidelines and is set to 2Q of your term year.

Good luck with your WCMS projects, and remember the key is to start early and start often!



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