DCUC hosts its 2023 Defense Matters before CUNA’s GAC kickoff
WASHINGTON, DC (February 27, 2023) — The Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC) held its 2023 Defense Matters Sunday morning at the Marriott Marquis in Washington, D.C ahead of CUNA’s GAC. This year’s morning session featured keynote speakers Honorable Kyle Hauptman, Amy Walter, and the Honorable Robert M. Speer. DCUC’s President/CEO Anthony Hernandez, and its strategic partner and lobbyist, John McKechnie, also provided attendees with advocacy updates on current and upcoming legislative and regulatory concerns.
The Honorable Kyle Hauptman, Vice Chairman of the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), began the discussion by sharing insight on NCUA priorities as well as highlighting the importance of ensuring service members’ and veterans’ financial wellness. Hauptman emphasized the significant impact defense credit unions can have on the daily lives and overall financial wellbeing of the members they serve.
Following Hauptman, Amy Walter, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of “Cook Political Report with Amy Walter,” spoke to the Defense Matters group about the electoral process, congressional culture, and the overall political environment in Washington. Walter is long recognized as an accurate, objective, and insightful political analyst with over 25 years of experience and knowledge surrounding the issues, trends, and events that shape political climate.
The last guest speaker was the Honorable Robert M. Speer, former Acting Secretary of the U.S. Army. Speer discussed the present issue of recruitment and retainment of servicemembers due to food insecurity, rising inflation and their families’ overall status of financial well-being. Speer noted how defense credit unions’ dedication to our military and veterans is so imperative when assisting them during difficult times.
Hernandez and McKechnie continued the session’s discussion by highlighting current and emerging advocacy issues, and how DCUC members can join DCUC in securing impactful wins for the credit union industry as a whole.
“Defense credit unions are the heart and soul of DCUC. I cannot thank our members enough for their dedication in serving those who serve our country. Thanks to everyone who gathered with us this Sunday morning,” said Hernandez.
DCUC’s 2023 Defense Matters was made possible thanks to its generous sponsors: AFFN, Omnicommander, ALM First, IZALE, and OM Financial. To learn more about how DCUC advocates for all credit unions serving our Nation’s military and veterans, visit dcuc.org/Advocacy.
About Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC)
The Defense Credit Union Council is the premier resource for credit unions on all military and veteran matters. By maintaining a close and constant liaison with the Pentagon, Capitol Hill, and NCUA, the Council champions the interests of credit unions serving our military and veteran communities by coordinating policy, procedures, and legislation impacting morale and welfare, financial readiness, and the delivery of quality financial products and services. Organized in 1963, the Council’s membership is comprised of 180 credit unions with over 35 million members. If you would like more information about this topic, please contact DCUC at alert@dcuc.org.
