Credit unions’ future success depends on successful advocacy in every arena, America’s Credit Unions President/CEO Jim Nussle told the World Credit Union Conference (WCUC) Monday morning during his main stage address.
“Credit union advocacy is about repeating that great story in towns, regions, and countries around the world, then leveraging those successes into even more,” he said. “And that’s what we’re here to do at America’s Credit Unions. To tell the story of credit unions, and the impact that policies will have not only on the industry, but on the everyday consumers who benefit from credit union services – especially when banks leave them behind.”
In addition to providing an update on where things stand with America’s Credit Unions’ ongoing transformation, Nussle thanked the World Council for being the movement’s “eyes and ears” and “boots on the ground” around the globe, as Leagues are at the state level.
“That’s the beauty of the credit union movement. Cooperation toward a mutual goal that benefits so many people, not just in the United States, but around the world,” Nussle said. “This system is certainly worth advocating for, worth fighting for across every corner of the globe.”
World Council President/CEO Elissa McCarter LaBorde also spoke from the main stage Monday, laying out a vision to grow the reach of credit unions one billion people (up from the current 400 million), with at least 50% (500 million) of those members being women.
She also stressed the importance of unity and asked attendees to embrace innovation to make the membership goal possible.
“No surprise, we are experiencing an even greater push for innovation at a pace and speed like we have never seen before,” said LaBorde. “Each of our 100 country contexts present slightly different challenges. But on one thing we agree: the need to reach young people, to counter an aging membership. And on this, we need to do better.”
America’s Credit Unions Head of Regulatory Advocacy Ann Petros participated in a panel on international advocacy, and shared credit union efforts against the Federal Reserve’s debit interchange proposal.
The World Credit Union Conference continues through Wednesday. Follow America’s Credit Unions and the World Credit Union Council for updates throughout the week with the hashtag #WCUC2024.
