CEO Update: Member Voices Are the Only Ones That Matter

​First off, thank you for your participation in industry-wide events and meetings, especially as they directly impact your ability to serve those who serve our country. As a member-based organization, the title of this article is self-evident. Trade associations, leagues, and other system partners will always have their own opinions. However, these opinions must be shaped by the views expressed by members themselves, or else you risk losing the members your organization is supposed to represent.

Last week, an important meeting took place outside of DCUC. The purpose of the meeting was to hear your views on proposed legislation that will directly impact both your credit union and the industry’s future. Once again, it was no surprise to DCUC that our members are passionate about certain issues and have no reservations in letting others know your position. DCUC repeatedly tried to warn industry leaders that pursuing this course of action and attempting to gain consensus for approval after the fact was ill-advised.

We are still amazed when industry partners fail to grasp the significance each DCUC member credit union has in representing the needs of your local military and veteran communities. Additionally, the collective voice defense credit unions have throughout the industry is often overlooked and underestimated. Yet, defense credit unions today make up a quarter of the industry and are collectively larger than the two largest leagues combined. This widespread influence is reflected by DCUC’s nationwide and international presence.

There is always a danger in speaking with only “one voice” to Congress and the Administration. Common sense and experience remind us how difficult it is to be all things to all people. The best move is always to state your intentions up front, listen to all stakeholders, seek consensus on a path forward, decide, and then (and only then) execute a plan of action. It never works well in reverse, which last week’s meeting demonstrated with respect to opening the Federal Credit Union Act (FCUA) for the benefit of a single credit union.

One thing to clarify during last week’s meeting since DCUC was not invited to participate:

1. Credit unions are NOT in danger of losing their leases or having to pay rent.
   
2. DCUC has never heard that, nor has our counterpart on the military bank side.
   
3. However, America’s Credit Unions (ACU) did make our case regarding the DISCRETIONARY nature of our no cost land leases; being “discretionary,” they could theoretically be canceled.
   
4. This is why DCUC is advocating for NON-DISCRETIONARY no-cost land leases in our proposed legislation. Not to mention, DCUC also included protecting the “One Bank and One Credit Union” policy by putting it into law and creating a Federal Advisory Committee.
   

​Altogether, our proposed legislation seeks to prevent the types of “exceptions to policy” that have plagued DoD’s Military Banking Program over the last eight years.

DCUC has discussed this separate legislation in each of our last two Military Advisory Committee (MAC) meetings. It has broad support amongst our member credit unions and has gained support in Congress. We hope each of you will continue to support this bill as it makes its way through various Congressional committees and oppose opening the FCUA for the benefit of one credit union.

If you have any questions about either of these, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly. As always, DCUC thanks you for your support and exercising your voice in matters of great importance. We will keep you informed as each measure progresses along the way.