LAS VEGAS -- CUNA Chair Harriet May, WOCCU Chair Barry Jolette and an Elvis impersonator welcomed attendees from 68 countries last night to The One World Credit Union Conference, a joint event produced by CUNA and WOCCU. Officals reported more than 2,800 attendees from 68 countries are represented at the Las Vegas event, which will run through Wednesday.
May's opening address focused on CUNA's legislative agenda. The president/CEO of the $1.7 billion GECU advocated for secondary capital, small business lending and positive media coverage. She also had harsh words for the "Wall Street reform bill," saying the loss of interchange income will cause credit unions to charge additional fees or stop offering debit card services altogether.
Jolette encouraged attendees to return to their credit unions and put just one good idea to work that they may gain from this week's event. He likened the cost, time and resources spent on an educational conference to gambling, but added, "your odds of leaving here better off than you arrived are much better than what you'll find on the casino floor."
