I'm Learning by Listening

I think sometimes we all get so busy with what we're doing we forget to look up and ask what's going on for folks around us in our movement. I know it can happen for me, and it's why I'm hitting the road throughout the year to hear from credit union CEOs.

This week, I headed to Louisiana, Alabama and Georgia. (What a time to be in New Orleans! Congrats to LSU!) My goal was to spend a lot of time listening. It's so valuable to hear what's on everyone's plate and talk about how we can all work together better.

A big thank you to all the CEOs that attended and especially to Bob Gallman, president/CEO of the Louisiana Credit Union League and Patrick La Pine, CEO of the League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates, for co-hosting. 

CUNA/Leagues ready to spend on 2020 congressional election cycle

CUNA and Leagues have partnered together for a 2020 congressional election strategy to spend a record-setting $7 million. CULAC announced this week it raised over $2.8 million in 2019 alone to prepare for this huge election year. Fundraising and political giving is an important component of advocacy and our movement's continued support for CULAC has real returns when credit union champions from both sides of the aisle take congressional office. It's what helps make credit unions bipartisan and successful!

360-degree advocacy in Congress

It's 2020 and the CUNA/League 360-degree advocacy is back into full swing! We sent our first message of the year to all Congressional offices this week focusing on the impact credit unions have on the communities they serve.

We also engaged lawmakers ahead of key Congressional hearings, from MDIs to cybersecurity to a key House Financial Services oversight hearing on the Financial Accounting Standards Board. We prepped lawmakers on FASB's oversight of CECL, leading to Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO-03) noting our Regulatory Burden Study during the hearing. It goes to show you never know where our survey data will be shared so it's important to keep participating!

Support for Colorado credit union-bank purchase

We submitted a letter with Mountain West Credit Union Association to the Colorado Banking Board in support of Elevations Credit Union's purchase of Cache Bank & Trust. The first bank-to-credit union purchase and assumption of its kind in Colorado, CUNA and MWCUA are working to squash Colorado bankers' criticisms of the deal. Learn more from CUNA's Chief Advocacy Officer Ryan Donovan about how we can help lawmakers understand that credit union and bank mergers are good for their constituents and communities.

Breaking News! CUNA GAC announces more keynotes

CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference is just WEEKS away and – this just in – we have TWO more keynote speakers to join us on the mainstage. Stephanie Cutter, a political consultant and former Deputy Campaign Manager for President Barack Obama's 2012 re-election campaign and Nicolle Wallace, current anchor of Deadline: White House and chief political analyst for MSNBC and NBC News and former White House Communications Director during the George W. Bush presidency. Check out cuna.org/gac for our full lineup of incredible speakers, and if you haven't registered yet get on that now!

Know a young professional?

Do you know a gifted young professional? Let them know registration for CUNA's Young Professionals Conference is open!

CUs in the News

• Kane County Chronicle: Dupage Credit Union was named the best place to get a mortgage in DuPage, Kane and Kendall counties in Illinois for the sixth year in a row!
• CU Insight: Suncoast Credit Union will host its 10th annual Financial Football tournament tomorrow, bringing together students from 15 local high schools who compete in a football-themed contest on financial literacy. 
• WMTW: The Maine Credit Union League appeared on Portland's WMTW this week to discuss elder financial abuse and how credit unions can help.