By William J. Mellin, President/CEO, New York Credit Union Association
International Credit Union Week is a time for celebration. It’s a chance to share our collective and individual stories, and an opportunity to raise awareness about the many benefits credit unions provide to consumers.
However, International Credit Union Week is also a time for reflection. We should spend some time this week thinking about where and how the credit union movement originated and just how far we’ve come.
With the Association celebrating our centennial anniversary this year, I’ve spoken at great length about the history of the New York credit union movement and the positive impact credit unions make in communities across the state.
We’re fortunate to have a strong, united movement here in New York, but that didn’t happen by chance. Rather, we have dynamic and forward-thinking credit union leaders, a committed Association and a unique support system that has helped establish New York state as a trailblazer within the credit union movement.
So much of that support comes from our close partner, CUNA Mutual Group, which has been supporting credit unions for more than 80 years. The organization was founded by credit union leaders who were looking for an insurance and investment partner they could trust.
Today, CUNA Mutual Group continues to serve as a vital partner for the credit union system in so many ways. In just this past year alone, CUNA Mutual Group has provided direct and indirect support to the Association and New York’s credit unions; they’ve helped sponsor many of the Association’s events, including our historic Convention; they’ve contributed to disaster relief efforts, which have unfortunately been mobilized far too often this year; and they’ve helped facilitate learning sessions that have made the New York credit union movement stronger.
So, as we prepare for International Credit Union Day this Thursday, and we reflect back on our storied history, let’s also give a nod to CUNA Mutual Group. They’re one of the key pillars ensuring our movement is strong and stable.
And they help ensure credit unions remain a place where dreams can thrive.