Credit union leaders from across North Carolina met with lawmakers in Raleigh on April 29 during the Carolinas Credit Union League's State House Day, an advocacy event focused on issues affecting the state's credit unions and the communities they serve.
More than 50 attendees, including CCUL representatives and credit union executives, participated in meetings with elected officials and legislative staff to discuss access to financial services, support for small businesses and proposed updates to the state credit union charter.
The event brought together credit union CEOs and senior leaders at the North Carolina General Assembly for a day of meetings and legislative briefings focused on issues affecting the industry and its members statewide.
"For our first North Carolina State House Day, we made a point to show up and engage in Raleigh, recognizing that the conversations happening here play just as meaningful a role in shaping our movement as those in Washington," CCUL Chief Advocacy Officer Billy Boylston said.
State Reps. Julia Howard and Jennifer Balkcom, both Republicans and supporters of proposed legislation updating North Carolina's state credit union charter, were among the elected officials who addressed attendees during a legislative briefing at the $3.1 billion, Raleigh-based Civic Federal Credit Union's Quorum Center.
Balkcom, who previously worked in the credit union industry, spoke about the role credit unions play in their communities, while Howard, a lead co-sponsor of the proposal, discussed her support for the industry. State Sen. Mike Lazzara and State Treasurer Brad Briner also spoke during the event.
One of the main topics discussed during meetings with lawmakers was proposed changes to the state credit union charter that supporters said would help credit unions expand access to financial services in rural and underserved communities.
Credit union leaders said the changes would help more North Carolina residents access financial services in areas with limited banking options.
CCUL said the event was designed to help lawmakers connect directly with credit union leaders serving their districts. According to the League, North Carolina credit unions collectively serve more than 5.7 million members statewide.
"People at banks have a job. You have a mission," Howard said to attendees during the event.
Briner discussed the role credit unions play across the state.
"We are often referred to as the bank of the state, but as you well know, we are not the bank but the credit union of the state," Briner said.
More than 50 people attended the event, representing 16 credit unions in addition to CCUL.
CCUL said it plans to continue bringing together credit union leaders and policymakers to discuss issues affecting access to financial services, including proposed changes to the North Carolina credit union charter.
Joyce Moed can be reached at joyce.moed@arc-network.com.
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