ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Setting a precedent, the Missouri Credit Union Association said last week it will start this year making formal endorsements of political candidates for both state and federal office.

Noting the first for the trade group, Rosie Holub, MCUA president/CEO, said Missouri CUs have now achieved the political influence and grassroots muscle to endorse a group of six state lawmakers, split evenly among Democrats and Republicans, who are running in the November election.

"Since we opened our Credit Union House in Jefferson City in 2003, we have significantly elevated our advocacy efforts by both our presence at the state capitol and our influence with policymakers and state agencies," explained Holub. "Our endorsement is now valued by candidates because they have learned through our political activity–testimony at hearings, research resource, service on state task forces, et cetera–that we can, as consumer advocates, raise awareness and support of critical issues."