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COVID-19 advocacy response

Our operating environment has been jolted and many credit unions are working incredibly hard to ensure they can support their members and employees. This week, CUNA and Leagues urged policymakers to respond to this crisis and help credit unions fulfill their mission. Here's a rundown of some of these efforts:

• We sent a letter to the President and key leaders in government outlining initial steps they should take to help credit unions and their members weather this crisis. 
• I spoke directly with CFPB Director Kathy Kraninger and NCUA Chairman Rodney Hood and Board Member Todd Harper to discuss credit union needs. 
• CUNA staff met with the White House's National Economic Council staff and Congress's House Financial Services Committee staff. 
• In response to our letter to NCUA late last week, the agency released a letter to credit unions with guidance. 
• We shared letters on the credit union response to COVID-19 with key Hill policymakers, including: 
• House Financial Services Committee 
• Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
• A group of Senators
• We sent a message to every Congressional office about the many ways credit unions are already responding.
• We urged further CECL delay until 2024 and that the Regulation D transfer limit should be temporarily or permanently eliminated.
• CUNA Chair Troy Stang told the Wall Street Journal that money is safest in insured credit union accounts. 

When you have a moment, please share with us

To say we're all busy is a real understatement. I know filling out a survey is about the bottom of many people's lists. But if you can find 15 minutes, I encourage you to share with us what you're doing in response to COVID-19.

We're working with Leagues to collect information so that we can best support credit union needs through our advocacy efforts. We're also pulling this data to inform our resources for credit unions. This is important stuff, and I hope you'll participate when you can. And if things change tomorrow or next week, this survey remains open for you to update us on your efforts.

HERE ARE A FEW EXAMPLES OF THE ENCOURAGING THINGS CREDIT UNIONS AND LEAGUES ARE DOING ALREADY:

• Leagues across the country are supporting credit unions with virtual meetings, resource centers, collaborative information sharing, and regulatory guidance
• DelOne Federal Credit Union has created an emergency assistance loan for those impacted by COVID19
• Indiana Members Credit Union is waiving fees for things like telephone transfers and early withdrawals, among other steps
• Teachers Credit Union is offering loan payment deferment, assistance loans, and more 

CUNA events postponed through May 15

In response to local and federal guidance, we're postponing our events through May 15. The health, safety, and welfare of all involved is our highest priority. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and will continue to share updates as we consider future events. To stay up to date on the status of our events, please visit our COVID-19 resources page and reach out to [email protected] with any questions. While events are postponed, CUNA Professional Development Online training and live and recorded webinars & eSchools are available!

In other news...

We may all be saturated with COVID-19 news these days, but it's important that we don't forget about, well, everything else that's still going on. March is Women's History Month and it's a great time to recognize the incredible contributions and achievements women have made to our movement.

CHECK OUT OUR Q&A SERIES FEATURING SOME OF OUR FEMALE LEADERS:

• 'Own mistakes, ask for help, check your work along the way' Tracie Kenyon, president/CEO of Montana's Credit Unions
• 'Learn as much as you can, always lead by example' Lily Newfarmer, president/CEO of Tarrant County's Credit Union, Fort Worth, Texas
• Diverse, equitable, inclusive organizations offer 'so much more' Pat Wesenberg, president/CEO of Simplicity CU, Marshfield, Wis.
• Everyone benefits from an inclusive work culture Maria J. Martinez is president/CEO of Border FCU, Del Rio, Texas