State Sen. Jesse Hamilton, IDC-Metropolitan and chairman of the Banks Committee, recently hosted two ‘Economic Empowerment’ discussions with financial services leaders, and credit union advocates participated in both events. The sessions were held July 13 in Wheatley Heights on Long Island, and July 20 in Buffalo.

Linda Armyn, SVP of corporate strategy at Bethpage FCU, attended the Long Island session. Association Board Chair Marie Betti, CEO/treasurer of Western New York FCU, attended the Buffalo session, along with Stefanie Rew-Hazel and Tracey Landahl, co-CEOs of Riverside FCU.

Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre, D-Long Island, helped lead the Long Island session, and Sen. Tim Kennedy, D-Erie-Niagara, helped facilitate the Buffalo event.

The events offered financial services leaders a chance to share their perspectives and priorities with the lawmakers. Notably, the group provided feedback on the need for statewide foreclosure reform—the amount of time it takes to foreclose on a property in New York is among the longest in the country—and compliance issues with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

“The Economic Empowerment events were both informative and productive,” said Betti. “On behalf of the Association, I’d like to thank Sen. Hamilton for his leadership in facilitating these important discussions.”