We need the entire fleet!

Kicking off a new year always fills me with hope and renewed energy. That’s especially true this year, as our movement steels itself for skirmishes big and small. Given all the legislative and regulatory challenges that credit unions are facing, we need to be vigilant not to allow fragmentation or infighting to creep in. The solution lies in reinforcing and leveraging the unified advocacy machine that has been meticulously built over decades.

A shift in political leadership provides a chance to recalibrate credit union advocates’ strategies and solidify our relationships with both sides of the aisle. We have an obligation to work together and present a cohesive message to lawmakers. The merger of NAFCU and CUNA into America’s Credit Unions is an example of a deliberate move toward unity, ensuring that our collective voice resonates more effectively in Washington and beyond. In a new administration, it’s especially crucial for our messaging to be crisp and consistent.

In my more than two decades of working with credit unions, I have watched credit union advocacy mature into a highly coordinated and effective force. For example, every Monday, my team and I join nearly 100 advocacy professionals from across the country to share intelligence and align strategies. This collaboration enables us to anticipate threats and act swiftly, as evidenced by our movement’s success in obtaining a temporary injunction against Illinois’ interchange law, which happened just weeks after credit unions filed a lawsuit challenging the CFPB’s $5 ODP fee cap. America’s Credit Unions and its partner leagues have built substantial advocacy war chests and PACs to amplify the good work credit unions do. Pairing these resources up with the expertise of more than 100 of our movement’s brightest advocacy professionals means that our movement has the tools it needs to defend existing powers or go on the offensive to gain new ones.

I was the final Vice Chairman of CUNA and now a director on the board of the American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL), so I have personally worked with dozens of my peers to strengthen the partnership between America’s Credit Unions and the Leagues. What has emerged is now the most effective partnership for achieving meaningful results on behalf of credit unions across the country. By building upon this momentum, we can shine a spotlight on the critical role credit unions play in serving their members, while constantly pushing for more rights and powers. 

Yes, credit unions are challenged by negative press and shifting consumer preferences. Creating new organizations and fragmenting our efforts will not solve this—leveraging existing platforms and partnerships to effectively tell our story will.  

America’s Credit Unions’ campaign to raise awareness regarding the benefits of credit unions’ tax exempt status—funded by the National Advocacy Fund (NAF)—provides compelling data and narratives that underscore the value credit unions bring to their communities. Credit union leagues must take every opportunity to help raise the funds to pay for this and then amplify these success stories within their respective delegations. 

Credit unions have consistently demonstrated their ability to fight back against unfair regulations and legislation. Our movement’s recent lawsuits—from challenging Illinois’ interchange law to joining forces with ABA against CFPB’s ODP fee cap—showcase our resolve and effectiveness.

As the 119th Congress begins, Cornerstone League’s delegation is well-positioned in leadership on key committees. With incoming committee chairs like U.S. Rep. French Hill (R-AR) leading the House Financial Services Committee; U.S. Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO) leading the House Ways and Means Committee; and U.S. Rep. Roger Williams (R-TX) leading the House Small Business Committee, we at Cornerstone are poised to work with our national partners to influence policy. Additionally, Cornerstone’s efforts to educate skeptics like U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) on the positive impact of credit unions demonstrate our commitment to addressing misconceptions and building bridges. We must continue to reinforce relationships with both new and established political leaders.

Our 140 million-plus credit union members remain our greatest asset. Engaging them in advocacy efforts—whether through direct interactions with legislators or grassroots campaigns—provides an authentic endorsement that banks cannot replicate. These members embody the spirit of credit unions and help us counter negative narratives. 

I recently read an article invoking Chief Martin Brody’s famous line from Jaws, proposing that the credit union industry needs a “bigger boat.” The reference made me smile, but I would suggest that what our movement needs now is not just a boat: We need the entire fleet. This is not a time for showboating or engaging in divisive tactics. Instead, we should fortify the powerful fleet made up by America’s Credit Unions and its partner leagues so we can advocate with unity, leverage our collective resources, and tell our story effectively.

As the leagues and America’s Credit Unions enter a new era of partnership, our fleet is moving forward powerfully. The continued success of credit unions depends on this pact. The time for unity, collaboration, and resilience is now.