With data playing a critical part in advocacy efforts, credit union leaders are using America’s Credit Unions’ Credit Union Impact Dashboard to show policymakers exactly how the credit union difference affects their constituents. Leagues were the first to access and test the dashboard, and it opened to America’s Credit Unions members last month. 

Billy Boylston, senior vice president of advocacy at the Carolinas Credit Union League, said the dashboard is “an invaluable tool providing me with real-time data on the economic impact credit unions have in our states and the taxes we pay. Without this resource, it would have taken me weeks to compile this data manually, potentially causing me to miss critical opportunities to share it.”

The Carolinas League uses the dashboard to capture and share specific data tailored to individual areas and policymakers.

“I was able to use this information in meetings with State House members and congressional staff to clearly demonstrate the positive impact credit unions have in their districts at the federal level,” Boylston said. “This same data is also essential for addressing state-level issues, such as public deposits, ensuring we can advocate effectively for our members and communities.”

“I deeply appreciate this resource as it’s a great example of the strong partnership between the League and America’s Credit Unions, working together to support credit unions and amplify our impact,” he added. 

The MD|DC Credit Union Association (MD|DC CUA) highlighted credit union financial benefits for policymakers in Maryland and Washington, D.C., data that helped credit unions defeat Community Reinvestment Act expansion bills introduced in the Maryland General Assembly the past two years. 

“We have shared the impact report with lawmakers and regulators at all levels of government resulting in many ‘aha moments’ in meetings with policymakers,” said MD|DC CUA Senior Vice President/Chief Public Affairs Officer Michelle Byrnie-Parker. “The dashboard is helpful in providing a centralized location to access key metrics that add context to the value credit unions bring to their members and communities. Its visuals help communicate these insights in way words alone cannot. When combined with data analysis and personal member stories, these elements create a powerful narrative.”

MD|DC CUA also used the data to create its annual impact report this year, combining it with testimonials from credit union members to clearly define the major impact credit unions have in communities. 

The Credit Union Impact Dashboard is available to America’s Credit Unions members.