Legislators and advocates connect

There’s no stopping credit union advocacy as credit unions engage policymakers in support of credit union issues, both in home districts and in Washington, D.C. 

Ascentra Credit Union recently hosted Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, at its Bettendorf headquarters. A CDFI-certified credit union, the team shared what this means for the members and communities it serves. The meeting took place as the credit union celebrates its 75th anniversary, and provided its history and mission in doing what’s right by their members with a commitment to service. 

“We were born out of blue-collar aluminum workers at ALCOA not having access to credit and coming together to borrow and save with one another as a financial cooperative. We operate in the same fashion 75 years later, serving the underserved as a CDFI Credit Union and being committed to the philosophy of people helping people,” said Matthew De Bisschop, SVP of human resources and government affairs at Ascentra. “Senator Ernst was very receptive and as we gave her a tour, she engaged our staff and asked great questions about our history and operations.”

Iowa credit unions are scheduled to travel to Washington, D.C., this week to meet with legislators on Capitol Hill, one of several leagues that have scheduled Hike the Hills this fall. The Carolinas Credit Union Association, CrossState Credit Union Association, Cornerstone League, Illinois Credit Union League, and Association of Vermont Credit Unions are also planning to advocate with member credit unions in Washington in the coming weeks. 

The Cooperative Credit Union Association met with Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del., at Dover Federal Credit Union in late September.  They discussed financial education, credit union innovation in lending, and how credit unions are helping the people of Delaware’s financial well-being. 

Blunt Rochester introduced the bipartisan Credit Union Board Modernization Act (S. 522) with Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., which would allow credit union boards to meet six times per year, instead of the once per month as currently required.

Representatives from USF Credit Union, Space Coast Credit Union, Orlando Federal Credit Union, Suncoast Credit Union, VyStar Credit Union, and Flagler Credit Union met late last month with Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., in Washington, D.C.