As the federal government shutdown stretched on, thousands of public servants across the country felt the strain of missed paychecks and growing uncertainty. In these moments, the strength of community financial service is put to the test. Credit unions across the country are exemplifying the credit union difference. From zero-interest loans and payment deferrals, to emergency assistance to help their members bridge the gap, it’s putting the credit union difference into action. People helping people, not because it’s profitable, but because it’s right.
This is what it means to be a credit union. And as I begin my tenure leading America’s Credit Unions, my goal is simple: To listen.
Credit unions across the country are on the front lines and sharing their stories of innovation, strain and quiet victories in their communities. I recently heard about a recommendation from Redwood Credit Union’s members, requesting simple ways to save money automatically. Redwood didn't just take notes but built an entire system around this feedback that helped members save more than $1.6 million this year alone. We're taking a page out of that playbook. Every conversation helps America's Credit Unions better understand how our advocacy can reflect the realities members face each day.
Listening is not just an exercise in empathy but one that ensures our work in Washington stays connected to the people who give this movement meaning. What we hear in the field must guide how we protect and strengthen the system that credit unions have built together.
I’m prioritizing these vital connections with credit unions, hearing what they have to say. Their experiences will shape how we approach the next chapter of our advocacy. A first home loan, a new small business or a debt consolidation may happen daily at credit unions, but it’s much bigger than that.Collectively, they show how credit unions drive opportunity and stability in communities nationwide.
Listening is only the first step, though. The next is acting on what we hear. Every story shared by a member or employee should translate into a clearer agenda, a stronger message and better outcomes for the people we serve.
We’ve seen the power of this approach before. When policymakers in Washington, D.C. considered taxing credit unions in the recent reconciliation package, members and employees spoke through the “Don’t Tax My Credit Union” campaign. It was one of the most successful grassroots efforts in modern financial advocacy, powered not by lobbyists or shareholders, but by everyday Americans who knew what was at stake. You and your members wrote letters, made calls and shared stories about how credit unions changed their financial lives. Your voices made the difference, preserving the not-for-profit structure that allows credit unions to return earnings to members and invest in their communities. That success is a reminder of what happens when advocacy starts with listening and ends with action.
In the coming year, America’s Credit Unions will focus on strengthening the connection between local experience and national advocacy. We’ll solidify our relationships on Capitol Hill, modernize how we communicate our impact, and work alongside leagues and leaders to present one unified voice for the system.
Our advocacy will emphasize three priorities: Protecting the structure that keeps credit unions stable, empowering members through financial education and access, and advancing policies that widen the path to financial inclusion. These are not abstract goals but rather the framework for how we will measure progress and accountability.
The credit union difference is simple but powerful: You exist to serve your members, not to profit from them. In moments of uncertainty – like the shutdown – that purpose matters. It reminds policymakers and the public that financial institutions can lead with integrity and compassion, helping people stay afloat when the system around them falters.
Our advocacy begins with the people who make the credit union movement work. Your stories, and the members you serve, are what give purpose to our work in Washington, D.C. Every loan approved, every family guided through financial uncertainty, every community project supported helps define who we are. These acts remind policymakers and the public alike that the strength of America’s Credit Unions comes from people helping people, and from a movement that listens first and leads with service.
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