Thankful for our cooperative spirit
Jim Nussle
Chief Executive Officer, AMERICA’S CREDIT UNIONS. Our mission is to advocate for and advance an environment where credit unions thrive.
As the holiday season officially begins with Thanksgiving this week, I feel more than thankful. I feel grateful.
Grateful for our member credit unions, who not only served as the catalyst for our transformation into America’s Credit Unions but also provided valuable voices throughout the journey.
Last week, we wrapped up a series of town halls with more than 700 credit union leaders taking part. Each town hall showed that members are engaging with us and sharing their questions, concerns, and feedback. Dozens of questions were submitted, ranging from the future of events to how we’re going to attack tax reform.
This organization began by listening to what credit unions need, and that will remain our North Star into the future. We will continue to provide forums for us to have productive, collaborative conversations on how we can better support you.
Finally, I’m grateful for the credit union movement. That includes its leaders, advocates, and champions. And most importantly, its members.
Members have placed their faith in the credit union movement, and that trust inspires me every day to advocate on their behalf.
I hope you take some time to unwind and recharge over this holiday weekend and come back ready for a strong finish to a fantastic year. Happy Thanksgiving.
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NCUA budget growth is unsustainable?
Our Head of Emerging Issues/Deputy Chief Economist Curt Long presented at NCUA’s budget briefing Friday, emphasizing our continued concerns with the budget’s growth. Though agency staff did share helpful updates about changes America’s Credit Unions seeks for an extended examination cycle, overall we continue to question the rising costs and lack of clear explanation to their benefit. Thank you to the GoWest Credit Union Association and Defense Credit Union Council for presenting as well.
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Correcting misinformation, keeping credit unions out of CRA
Our ongoing work to engage with Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, D-Mo., is underway to address issues he raised again at a committee hearing about the credit union difference. This is the second hearing that the congressman brought up applying the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) to credit unions. We reminded Rep. Cleaver that this would create more burdens and less access to services for people who need it most, and we will continue these critical conversations with him.
Relentless advocacy to advance, empower, and protect credit unions:
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ICYMI: ‘Crash the GAC’ applications due Dec. 1
Young professionals looking to “crash” the 2025 Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC) have until Dec. 1 to submit their applications. Crashing is a unique way to experience the credit union industry’s premier advocacy event, and a chance to deepen your connection to the many ways credit unions make a difference. Hear more about why GAC is so impactful in a special message from Mia Perez, returning again as our GAC emcee.
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LSCU, VACUL members approve consolidation
The League of Southeastern Credit Unions and the Virginia Credit Union League have officially approved consolidation of the organizations, a strategic move to amplify the impact of credit unions in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Virginia. The new association launches Jan. 1, led by LSCU President Samantha Beeler, and will serve 386 credit unions across the five states, along with the more than 31 million members they serve. America’s Credit Unions looks forward to advancing the industry’s unified voice with this strong contingent of industry advocates.
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Ukrainian president signs amendments to credit union law
Months of international advocacy from the World Council of Credit Unions paid off as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed amendments to the credit union law that took effect this year. The changes streamline credit union payment service licensing and allow credit unions to raise funds in foreign currencies, and were driven by World Council’s GROW Project – an advocacy initiative to expand access to credit unions in Ukraine over the next four years.