LENEXA, KS (February 25, 2014) – Dennis Pierce, CEO of Kansas City’s CommunityAmerica Credit Union, today assumed Chairmanship of the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), the nation’s leading credit union organization serving 6,950 state and federally chartered credit unions. CUNA is located in Washington D.C. and serves as a recognized advocacy organization working to amplify the credit union cooperative difference and lobbying to preserve credit union rights as not-for-profit entities.
Pierce’s election follows his more than 32 years in the credit union industry, including more than 16 years at the helm of CommunityAmerica. As CEO, Pierce has grown the business from $588 million to more than $1.8 billion in assets, expanding the branch network from 4 to 30 branches. This growth has allowed the credit union to greatly enhance the financial success of those banking with CommunityAmerica, returning more than $10 million in Profit Payout in 2013 and 2014 alone, with a dividend issued for 18 consecutive years. Pierce has been a prominent voice for the “Don’t Tax My Credit Union” initiative aimed at preserving the credit unions’ federal tax-exempt status, speaking out on the ongoing consumer benefits and financial alternatives that this status provides the community.
“My primary focus has always been and will continue to be serving members and helping more people experience the credit union difference,” Pierce said. “Throughout my career, I’ve seen firsthand how credit unions have positively impacted the financial lives of families and communities. Profit sharing, lower rates and an understanding approach are just a few of the many ways credit unions allow members to keep more of the money they worked hard to earn. I look forward to representing credit unions on a national platform to ensure they have the opportunity to not only best serve its 96 million members nationwide, but grow that number so even more Americans can experience the life-changing difference credit unions offer.”
Prior to this appointment, Pierce served CUNA from 2003 to present in roles on the Board of Directors, and the Finance & Governmental Affairs Committees, to name a few. Other notable positions include Chairman of the Board of the Missouri Credit Union Association and Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary of NACUSO. Locally, he has served on the Kansas City Area Development Council Board of Directors and has been actively involved with the Lenexa Chamber of Commerce, Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce, Blue Valley Kiwanis Club, YMCA and Club North.
About CommunityAmerica Credit Union
CommunityAmerica Credit Union is a full-service financial institution with more than 172,000 members nationwide. As of Dec. 31, 2013, CommunityAmerica had more than $1.8 billion in assets, ranking it among the nation’s largest credit unions. Based on deposits, CommunityAmerica ranks among the top 10 Kansas City-based financial institutions. There are 29 CommunityAmerica branches in Kansas City, and one branch in St. Louis.
CommunityAmerica provides a full suite of financial products, including checking, savings, credit cards, money markets, mortgages, insurance, financial planning and a variety of loan & deposit products to meet consumer needs. As a not-for-profit financial institution whose tagline is “Profit to the People®, CommunityAmerica offers highly competitive rates on deposits, loans and investments, fewer, lower or no fees on services, and has returned a Profit Payout dividend for 18 consecutive years. Other convenient products and services include a flexible bank-wherever-you-are mobile app (featuring mobile check deposit), a network of more than 30,000 ATMs and the ability to apply for loans and open deposit accounts online at www.cacu.com.