CUs' Vision, Not their Assets, Determines their Future

In his June 18th column, "Middle-sized CUs Most at Risk of Survival," Mike Welch writes that "there will be fewer credit unions every year," and he further offers that the credit unions that are most at risk of not surviving are the mid-sized credit unions I agree, as probably most would, that the number of credit unions will continue to drop. I will also agree that you probably could categorize those credit unions in the most danger of surviving. However, I think there might be a better way to categorize them other than by asset size. Simply put, credit unions that plan to succeed will, and those that don't won't. Whether their assets are $5 million, $50 million, or $500 million, a credit union that is forward thinking, knows its competition and uses effective strategic planning to lay the path will succeed. But credit unions that become complacent and lack vision will increasingly become candidates for a merger regardless of their asset size. Respectfully sharing another viewpoint. Ben Laurendeau CEO Roanoke Valley FCU Roanoke, Va.