Onsite: Monday at #CUNAGAC!
Nussle’s charge for advocacy
The common message at #CUNAGAC is that it takes all of us together to make a difference. CUNA President/CEO Jim Nussle fired up the crowd on Monday morning as he pushed the 5,000+ credit union advocates in attendance to help him fight the battle against unfair regulations and the CFPB. Nussle said of the CFPB, “It’s a ‘dictatorship’ that is accountable to no one.”
Nussle also said it’s time that politicians are held accountable by the voters, and it’s our job to let them know what the people need. He said if we aren’t living and speaking the credit union difference every day, then change will be difficult.
Cole’s three components of a successful brand
Kat Cole, group president at FOCUS Brands, which owns and operates Cinnabon, Schlotzky’s, and other food service companies, told her success story of starting off as a Hooter’s hostess and becoming a VP for the company by age 26.
Cole said the two things that drive brand health are relevance and differentiation, and that if your brand doesn’t have a mission, competitors will pass you by. Cole also cautioned that just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should.
“The people closest to the action know what the right thing to do is long before the leader does,” so it’s important to listen to your employees who come in contact with the needs of members on a daily basis. She said, “you owe it to your communities to disrupt and innovate.”
The breakout sessions
There were many breakout options for attendees on Monday afternoon on a wide-range of topics. Elizabeth Eurgubian, CUNA’s Deputy Chief Advocacy Officer and Senior Counsel, moderated a panel on unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices (UDAAP), and how agency interpretations of UDAAP laws affect credit unions. Right next door, CUNA’s Bill Hampel, Mike Schenk, and Perc Pineda, along with CUNA Mutual Group’s Steven Rick had a discussion on the economic outlook for 2017-2018 and how the recent Presidential election will affect core credit union operations.
Down the hall, a group of credit union executives looked at CUNA’s Member Activation Program (MAP) and how it can help your credit union get members involved in advocacy. CUNA senior director of advocacy and counsel, Lance Noggle led a session on the current state of the payments landscape and the evolving threats from legislation, litigation, and technology.
The final breakout panel was moderated by CUNA’s Andy Price who spoke with NCUA’s Larry Fazio and Mary Thor about how NCUA’s examination and reporting functions will likely evolve in ways that will reduce credit unions’ regulatory burden.
Today we will hear from NCUA’s Rick Metsger and J. Mark McWatters after kicking off with a keynote address from Gen. Colin L. Powell in the morning. The afternoon will feature the passing of the gavel from Rod Staatz to incoming CUNA Chairman Pat Jury as well as a town hall with CUNA’s Jim Nussle.
Check back throughout the day for more updates from Tuesday at GAC!
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