WASHINGTON -- As guests sipped coffee and ate treats such as cr??me br?>>l?(C)e, longtime members of the credit union community used the occasion of International Credit Union Day to extol the movement's international accomplishments.
"Credit unions cross all national, political and economic boundaries," said World Council of Credit Unions Board Member Catherine Roberts. "Members can say 'my credit union, it belongs to me.' This is important as they struggle through difficult economic times."
She held a copy of Crain's Detroit Business, which said that credit unions were among the few financial institutions in Michigan making business loans these days.
NCUA Board Member Gigi Hyland urged people to "communicate the value of credit unions and how they are different than other financial institutions."
The annual reception, which took place in the Cannon House Office Building, was designed to highlight the worldwide efforts of credit unions. Approximately 20 congressional staff members attended the event along with representatives of CUNA and WOCCU.
--cmarx@cutimes.com
