Hanley Got it Right

I’d like to respond to a letter in the March 2 issue of Credit Union Times from Orange County Teachers FCU CEO Rudy Hanley. Since Mike Welch gave his opinion of small CUs, it’s quite refreshing to see that there are many vocal supporters of small CUs out there, especially those like Mr. Hanley Too many times in today’s world, it’s dog-eat-dog, get all you can while you can. But, Mr. Hanley obviously seems to have a different view. He may be the CEO of a large CU, but his attitude isn’t like Wal-Mart or Home Depot or McDonald’s. He isn’t out there to take market share from other CUs, per se. In our so-called cooperative business model, he’s walking the talk, while other large CUs crave more (and more) business…and profit! They’re even converting to banks, for Pete’s sake. He’s supporting small CUs for one simple reason, as he says, “because it’s the right thing to do.” WHOA! Now I don’t know about you, but I don’t hear that too much in today’s business world – credit unions or not. Mr. Hanley, thank you for your support and for expressing an idea that’s not very popular or worldly. Small credit unions want your support, but not for survival’s sake. We want it because “it’s the right thing to do.” Brian A. Dever CEO PIAS Credit Union Nashville, Tenn.