Leagues advocate for credit union priorities amid shutdown

The federal government shutdown didn’t stop leagues and credit unions representing four states from engaging with policymakers this week. The Carolinas Credit Union League and CrossState Credit Union Association brought advocates from North Carolina, South Carolina, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania to meet with members of Congress, as well as regulators.

Leaders from Affinity Federal Credit Union, Credit Union of New Jersey, First Commonwealth Credit Union, Lanco Federal Credit Union, Edifi Credit Union, Belco Community Credit Union, NJ Gateway Federal Credit Union Service 1st Federal Credit Union, TruMark Financial Credit Union and TruStage—along with staff from CrossState and America’s Credit Unions—met with NCUA Eastern Regional Director John Kutchey, Federal Reserve Financial Services Vice President of Secure Payments for Payments System Improvement Mike Timoney, and FinCEN’s Betsy Maesen at America’s Credit Unions’ D.C. office Monday.

Tuesday, they met with lawmakers, urging support for bills to aid credit unions in their mission to serve their members and communities, including the Credit Union Board Modernization Act (H.R.975/S.522), Central Liquidity Facility Enhancement Act (S. 2545), Expanding Access to Lending Options Act (H.R. 4167), Veterans Member Business Loan Act (H.R. 507/S. 110), and the Increasing Credit Union Lending for Business Growth Act (H.R. 1791).

The Carolinas Credit Union League and North and South Carolina credit unions also met with legislators and regulators. The group met with NCUA Chairman Kyle Hauptman at America’s Credit Unions’ D.C. office.

The group also met with both Senate offices from each state, including Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott, R-S.C., and the majority of House officials and offices during their visits.