Along with the turkey and all the trimmings, this is the time of year to give thanks. For credit unions, there are many things to be thankful. Yes, there are a tremendous number of challenges out there facing credit unions, but let's put on the rose-colored glasses, look at our glasses half full and focus in on just a few of the good things going for credit unions.

- De Novo Is Possible. It's a fact. De novo banks pop up all the time. In a lot of cases it's purely an investment model, nothing to do with long-term banking plans or how to serve a community. Investors get together and create a new community bank with the vision of selling it off and getting a nice payday. It works quite well.

New credit unions just aren't being chartered at the same pace, but it is not time to throw in the towel. No matter the economic conditions or competitive threats, the credit union cooperative model hasn't changed. It still presents the best way for a group to create a financial services provider where the members share in the success, or in the case of a new credit union, the risk. It's a timeless, democratic concept that can't be diluted. So on this turkey day let's give thanks to Finest Federal Credit Union and The REALTORS Federal Credit Union.