LAS VEGAS -- The California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues found a positive message with which to open the trade associations' annual meeting: what doesn't kill us will only make us stronger.
California League Chairman Brett Martinez told a nearly full house this morning at Las Vegas' Mirage Hotel that it's easy to focus on 2009's difficult issues. However, Martinez said his institution, the $1.7 billion Redwood Credit Union of Santa Rosa, Calif., and Martinez personally, will emerge stronger because of it.
And, the credit union movement will gain strength, too, he said.
Nevada League Chairman Wally Murray agreed, saying credit unions didn't cause the world's current financial issues, and said the industry's continued commitment to integrity will drive future success.
Bill Cheney, the leagues' CEO, even went as far as to predict an "unprecedented surge in earnings" for credit unions once economic recovery gains momentum when he took the podium during this morning's opening general sessions.
However, Cheney also said 2010 will be a tough political year for credit unions, and said the cooperative financial institutions will need to produce "more grass roots involvement from members."
