LAYTON, Utah – To make sure Utah credit union employees attending last week's annual meeting of the Utah League of Credit Unions got the message, "It's What We Do" signs were pervasive – even emblazoned on hotel room keys.
The purpose, of course, as explained in an upbeat closing day speech by Scott Simpson, president/CEO, was to remind the industry of its help-the-member mission as well as showcase an array of charitable ventures undertaken by CUs across the state.
"These are all examples of outstanding service to our communities that we do every day," declared Simpson, ticking off a list ranging from the 100% Credit Unions for Kids drive to purchasing 35,000 pairs of shoes for Utah youngsters in a project called "Warm the Soles."
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In video clips shown on TV screens in a conference ballroom, Simpson noted that $3 million has been raised since 2002, by the league foundation for Credit Unions for Kids with funds going toward the purchase of school supplies and reading materials for dozens of Utah schools.
There were other clips showing special Spanish instruction conducted by CU employees, the "Meals on Wheels" program to aid the elderly, as well as a segment in which employees voluntarily "adopted" a needy grandmother requiring medical assistance.
League officials have long insisted that unlike other states, Utah residents are quite familiar with many elements of their product and service role as an outgrowth of the very public-and ongoing-fight with the banking lobby.
Still, one CEO said he was a little surprised when this reporter told a tale of his limousine driver, who was well informed about "those very high bounced check fees that banks charge," provide a little education on CU history-that CUs "were started in Utah."
"That's nice to know the public thinks that," laughed Simpson, since U.S. CUs are known to have their origin in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Simpson said he was also heartened to hear the limo driver's story about his membership in two Salt Lake CUs and that his son is a new convert "after getting burned with $800 in bounced checks from Wells Fargo." [email protected]
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