The 2019 Credit Union National Association’s Governmental Affairs Conference (CUNA GAC) kicks off next week. 5,000 credit union advocates from all 50 states come to D.C. to make their unified voice heard. More than 600 meetings will be held with elected officials and regulators where credit union members will educate Congress on how it can help tailor regulations to better serve consumers.
The conference features a slew of congressional speakers, keynote addresses and breakout session panelists throughout the week.
Below please find a full schedule, which is subject to change.
RSVP to Register for the Event Here.
WHAT: CUNA GAC is the premier event for political impact in the credit union industry, gathering thousands of industry leaders to remind legislators and regulators why credit unions are Americans' best financial partners.
WHO: J. Mark McWatters, National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) Chairman
John Kerry, former U.S. Secretary of State
Malcolm Gladwell, New York Times bestseller
WHEN: Monday, March 11 – Wednesday, March 13.
WHERE: Walter E. Washington Convention Center
801 Mr. Vernon Place NW
RSVP: Link
Note: *Indicates events that are closed to press and/or off the record.
Monday, March 11th
9:30am
10:00am
11:15pm
1:00pm
1:30pm
3:00pm
The State of the Movement: Addressing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within the Credit Union Movement
An assessment of how the credit union industry is currently addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion. The panelists will cover gender, race & ethnicity, and financial inclusion.
Moderator
Eric Hansing, VP of Multicultural and Corporate Strategy, CUNA Mutual Group
Panelists
Cathie Mahon, President/CEO, Inclusiv
Angela Russell, VP of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, CUNA Mutual Group
Samira Salem, PhD, Senior Policy Analyst, CUNA
CECL -- Where We Are and Where Credit Unions Need to Be*
This session will include a comprehensive overview of Current Expected Credit Losses (CECL), including where credit unions are now, how they got here, and what they need to do now to prepare.
Moderator
Luke Martone, Senior Director - Advocacy & Counsel, CUNA
Panelists
Julie Renderos, EVP/CFO at Suncoast Credit Union
Sydney Garmong, Partner at Crowe LLP
Dale Hansard, CEO / President at Caprock Federal Credit Union
Ian Dunn, EVP Products at Visible Equity
The New Congress: Outlook and Opportunity
Panelists will provide their perspective on the first two months of the 116th Congress and divided government in Washington. The panelists will offer bipartisan views on the legislative outlook for 2019 and what credit unions can expect. They will also offer insights from their experiences working on Capitol Hill.
Moderator
TBC
Panelists
TBC
Bank Attacks Bank Attacks and Their Different Forms - Not All Threats Look Alike*
Bank attacks continue to be an ongoing threat to the credit union movement. The bankers have become more advanced in their attacks especially at the state level. Attendees will learn about recent state fights and how credit unions were successfully able to mobilize and push back against these efforts.
Moderator
Mara Humphrey, Vice President, Governmental Affairs and Association Services, Minnesota Credit Union League
Panelists
Ray Springsteen, President, Fort Knox Federal Credit Union
Justin Hupfer, CEO, Policy Works
Richard Gose, Chief Political Officer, CUNA
Slowing U.S. economic growth, increased stock market volatility and rising geopolitical risks have some wondering about the prospects for credit union success in 2019. Tariffs could spell trouble for auto lending. Higher interest rates and rising home prices will likely challenge mortgage lending operations. Bankruptcy filings are on the rise. Liquidity is a mounting concern in some quarters. What does the future hold? CUNA economists will review how credit unions are responding to looming challenges and will explore prospects for credit union loan and savings growth and the probable effects on asset quality, earnings and interactions with regulators.
Panelists
Mike Schenk, Chief Economist, CUNA
Jordan van Rijn, Senior Economist, CUNA
Tuesday, March 12th
9:00am
9:30am
10:00am
11:15pm
1:00pm
1:15pm
1:40pm
2:00pm
3:00pm
Regulatory and Litigation Threats to Credit Unions in 2019*
The regulatory environment for credit unions has been chaotic the last few years. Even as the regulatory environment may be calming down, credit unions are faced with additional threats, such as frivolous lawsuits brought by aggressive plaintiffs' attorneys. Our panel of professionals throughout the industry will discuss how the regulatory and legal environment in 2019 will affect credit unions and their operations.
Moderator
Alex Monterrubio, Senior Director of Advocacy & Counsel, CUNA
Panelists
Michael Pryor, Shareholder, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck
Nicholas Santucci, Associate, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck
David Reed, Partner, Reed & Jolly, PLLB
Your Role in Credit Union Advocacy
This session will review the programs and resources CUNA has to help you develop relationships with your state and federal lawmakers. With the 116th Congress now in session, building these relationships is more crucial than ever. Establishing these relationships takes place back in your states as well as in Washington, D.C. Speakers will discuss a variety of techniques and programs that currently exist to help you enhance your role in credit union advocacy.
Moderator
Keith Sias, Senior VP of Governmental Affairs, Illinois CU League
Panelists
Jean Peterson, Board of Directors Vice Chair, Aberdeen Federal Credit Union
Kyle Frick, VP of Marketing/Community Relations, Mid-Oregon Credit Union
Steve Gilman, President/CEO, Houston Texas Fire Fighters Federal Credit Union
Payments and Cybersecurity Issues for 2019 and Beyond
Join speakers to discuss top technology issues for 2019 and beyond. This session will feature a discussion by the Federal Reserve Board on faster payments, including an update on the last year's real-time payments proposal. Ways credit unions can improve and test cyber security preparedness will also be discussed.
Moderator
TBC
Panelists
TBC
Credit Unions face unique challenges following natural disasters, experiencing power outages, interruptions in business operation, branch damage, data loss, and employee turnover, all while their members need them most. Join us for a panel discussion on financial preparedness and the issues and opportunities credit unions face in preparing themselves and their members for flooding and other natural disasters.
Joseph Luedke, Senior Consultant, Corporate & Legislative Affairs, CUNA Mutual Group
Panelists
Paul Huang, Assistant Administrator for Federal Insurance, FEMA
George Hofheimer, Chief Research & Development Officer, Filene
Jared Ross, Senior VP, Association Services & Governmental Affairs, League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates
Jay Isaacson, VP, Property & Casualty Solutions, CUNA Mutual Group
An opportunity to network, share insights and exchange ideas with other forward-thinking credit union CEOs in a candid and enlightening session.
Slowing U.S. economic growth, increased stock market volatility and rising geopolitical risks have some wondering about the prospects for credit union success in 2019. Tariffs could spell trouble for auto lending. Higher interest rates and rising home prices will likely challenge mortgage lending operations. Bankruptcy filings are on the rise. Liquidity is a mounting concern in some quarters. What does the future hold? CUNA economists will review how credit unions are responding to looming challenges and will explore prospects for credit union loan and savings growth and the probable effects on asset quality, earnings and interactions with regulators.
Panelists
Mike Schenk, Chief Economist, CUNA
Jordan van Rijn, Senior Economist, CUNA
Wednesday, March 13th
8:30am
10:00am