Gathering the credit union family with purpose is something I always look forward to, and this year’s Governmental Affairs Conference is set to be a record-breaker. That milestone reflects the significance of this moment, with more credit union advocates coming to Washington, D.C., than ever before.
It’s clear the movement recognizes the need to tell our story directly to policymakers. GAC gives us the chance to share with every office on Capitol Hill how credit unions make life more affordable for the members they serve; the very same people lawmakers represent. We often talk about a unified movement at America’s Credit Unions, but gatherings like this—with leagues, credit unions, and partners together—make that unity, and its impact, undeniable. The strength of GAC lies in this partnership.
Advocates will bring the credit union story to every corner of the Hill, sharing real examples of lives improved by their work. They’ll also outline policy solutions that would empower even more people to build their own credit union story, including urging Congress to:
- Oppose government price controls and costly interchange mandates
- Address affordability by modernizing outdated reporting thresholds and ensuring they keep pace with inflation
- Fight scams and fraud by empowering credit unions, targeting bad actors, and protecting sensitive data
And this is just a sampling of our focus to advance, empower, and protect credit unions and your 145 million members. These priorities, like everything credit unions do, center on what’s best for their members, communities, and Main Street: access to services from institutions that focus their resources on people, not profits.
Convening the credit union family fuels our momentum, and we must capitalize on it. I implore every GAC attendee and credit union leader to help us gather and amplify your stories. These stories highlight the humanity at the heart of credit unions; a clear differentiator from for-profit financial services.
Real stories of financial empowerment and freedom illustrate why policymakers continue to support our industry despite well-funded opposition. We all share responsibility for protecting and advancing the credit union difference, for today’s members and to shape the future for generations who will achieve their goals with the help of a credit union.
Let’s ensure the credit union story echoes across the country and throughout the halls of Washington long after GAC concludes.
