WALLINGFORD, Conn. — In a surprising turnabout, the Connecticut Credit Union Association is “going back to its roots” and has become a league again.

Leadership of the trade group said the switch to the league moniker made effective over last weekend reflects what it said was a need to bolster the CU mission at a time “when the movement is being tested.”

“Look, we never stopped calling ourselves a league and we know that name really embodies our philosophy and what we really are and stand for,” explained Kathy Chartier, league chairman and president/CEO of Members Credit Union of Greenwich.

“Being a league and not an association certainly differentiates us from those bankers, construction workers, dentists and the like,” said Chartier noting the change has already been greeted enthusiastically by the membership. Final approval came during the annual meeting in Ledyard May 12.

The Connecticut move runs counter to an industry trend spanning the last 10 years when nearly a half dozen state leagues converted to association maintaining the league term is antiquated and that state and federal lawmakers along with the media are confused about what constitutes a league.