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(From AACUL) – A recent American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL) survey reveals the breadth and depth of support leagues have provided to credit unions to help them effectively navigate the pandemic. All 35 AACUL members participated in the survey representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The results demonstrate the collective power of league advocacy and leagues’ commitment to credit unions and their 123 million members.
Since mid-March, leagues have held over 2,700 meetings with legislators, regulatory agencies, governors’ offices and leadership. In addition, leagues have hosted 1,475 different lawmakers and regulators at both the state and federal level to engage in dialogue with credit unions virtually.
“For years, the Credit Union League System has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to support credit unions and their members and they have continued to do so during this pandemic” explained Diana Dykstra, AACUL Chair and President and CEO of the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues. “The current crisis has brought some of these league efforts to the forefront. I am very proud of the many and various ways leagues have supported credit unions during this crisis.”
The League System leveraged well-established relationships with policymakers to advocate for credit unions, influencing 245 pandemic-related bills, governors’ orders and regulations. These ranged from designating credit unions as essential services to remote notarization laws to making mortgage forbearance voluntary for credit unions.
Since travel was not required, the virtual environment boosted turnout for Hike the Hill events. 3,560 credit union employees and board members directly engaged with members of Congress, sharing priorities and articulating the credit union difference.
“The collaboration among leagues during this pandemic is a true testament to our movement and credit unions nationwide have benefited greatly from this cooperation,” said Brad Miller Executive Director of the American Association of Credit Union Leagues. “It’s impressive how effectively and efficiently leagues have been operating on behalf of their credit unions. By openly sharing resources, expertise, and key learnings, leagues have been able to provide the upmost value for their credit unions. I’ve never been prouder to represent the League System as AACUL’s executive director.”
Just as collaboration among leagues has been key to supporting credit unions during these unprecedented times, so has league facilitation of collaboration among credit unions. Leagues hosted 1,275 virtual meetings including town halls, forums, webinars, CEO calls, council calls, educational events, featuring almost 850 subject matter experts to facilitate dialogue and collaboration among credit unions. The events also informed credit unions about compliance, regulatory, HR, and other pressing pandemic issues.
The League System also pivoted by adjusting 460 previously scheduled in-person events to a virtual environment. Over 4,300 resources were provided to credit unions through league COVID-19 microsites.
In addition to all the advocacy efforts and measures taken to support credit unions operationally, the Leagues System also donated almost $3.7 million to credit unions and community organizations in support of COVID relief.