BALTIMORE — Unlike some lenders including banks, credit unions have the distinction of being able to spot financial pitfalls most likely sooner than members can, Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) told attendees yesterday evening at the African-American Credit Union Coalition's annual meeting here.

"You are in the business of empowering people. They come in confused," Cummings said in a moving, semi-autobiographical sometimes humorous but mostly inspiring talk. "You can see a default coming 10 miles away. You know your clientele and you know their pitfalls."

Cummings thanked credit unions for all of their efforts and applauded their difference. He challenged them to expand even more on providing mortgages to first-time buyers, educating young people on establishing good credit and called on attendees to serve as mentors.