NCUA Board Member Michael Fryzel on Friday credited credit unions for their vital role in helping American families and communities and urged them to step up their efforts.

“You must help families keep more of their hard-earned pay than they could by using alternative financial services,” Fryzel said in a speech at the Michigan Credit Union League convention.

“Your hard work can make the United States a credit union nation. The nation is with credit unions, so you must keep this momentum alive and move forward,” he told the audience of about 600 people gathered at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa near Traverse City, Mich.

“People across the country are facing hard economic times. The great state of Michigan is no exception. Throughout this nation, our citizens are saying that their number-one concern is not foreign affairs, the environment or education, but the economy,” Fryzel said.

 “America rose to its great level of achievement because of people helping people,” he said. “If you believe that, show it by being the preeminent people-helping-people organizations in the nation. If you believe that America can employ all of its people who want to work, then lead the way by helping businesses and building communities.”