Leadership and collaboration take center stage in this week’s New York Minute. Credit union leaders from across the state gather for the Association’s annual Leadership Forum, while advocates head to Washington for Congressional Caucus. Educational opportunities take shape with two employee benefits discussions and an upcoming lunch-and-learn. Plus, a New York credit union leader celebrates a professional achievement.
New York Credit Union Leaders Gather for Annual Leadership Forum
Credit union leaders from across New York gathered Sept. 15–17 for the Association’s annual Leadership Forum at Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, NY.
This year’s gathering brings together members of the Association’s Board of Directors, New York Credit Union Foundation Trustees, Universal Sharing Network, Inc. (UsNet) Board of Directors, Association Chapter Presidents and the Association’s senior leadership team for three days of connection, conversation and collaboration.
Over the course of the Forum, attendees are taking part in strategic discussions, peer networking, and programming designed to strengthen leadership across the state’s credit union community.
The forum featured a keynote from James Beck titled Unlock the Power of Kindness, Gratitude, and Paying-It-Forward, which explored the impact these principles can have on leadership, relationships and the communities we serve. Beck’s presentation offered leaders practical takeaways for bringing these values into their own organizations, reinforcing the human-centered approach that has long distinguished the credit union difference.
The forum reflects the Association’s ongoing investment in developing strong, values-driven leadership across New York’s credit union community, ensuring the movement continues to grow from a foundation of connection and shared purpose.
New York Credit Union Advocates Attend Congressional Caucus
New York credit union advocates were in Washington, D.C., this week for America’s Credit Unions’ 2026 Congressional Caucus, engaging lawmakers on priorities most important to credit unions and the members and communities they serve.
During the Caucus, New York advocates also met with newly appointed NCUA Board Chairman John Crews, sharing perspectives on the regulatory priorities most pressing for credit unions and building on the Association’s ongoing relationship with the agency’s leadership.
Association Chief Advocacy Officer Amy Kramer also joined the panel “From Capitol Hill to the Statehouse: Tracing Policy Throughlines,” exploring how federal and state policy developments intersect on issues including data privacy, interchange limitations and bank-credit union mergers. The discussion underscored the growing need for advocates to track policy movement across both levels of government, as decisions made in Washington increasingly shape the landscape credit unions navigate at the state level.
The annual Caucus gives advocates a chance to bring credit union priorities directly to policymakers and highlight their impact on members and communities. For New York’s delegation, the event also reinforces the value of a unified advocacy voice, ensuring the state’s credit unions are well represented as Congress considers policies that affect their ability to serve their members.
The Association will continue to monitor these key topics as they develop, keeping members informed of opportunities to engage with policymakers on the priorities that matter most to New York’s credit union community.
Join Marshall & Sterling for Upcoming Employee Benefits Discussions
Association strategic business partner Marshall & Sterling is hosting two upcoming webinars designed to help credit unions navigate the changing employee benefits and health insurance landscape.
On Sept. 29, credit unions with 100 or more employees are invited to Health Insurance Headwinds: How to Insulate Your Organization from the Storm. This session breaks down why the traditional renewal cycle works against well-managed groups, how pharmacy spend is reshaping the cost curve, and which cost containment strategies, from group health captives to specialty drug savings programs, are giving self-funded employers a way to take back control.
On Sept. 30, credit unions with fewer than 100 employees can attend Employee Benefits: The State of the Union. This session breaks down why rates keep rising, what new payroll and compliance liabilities compound the pressure, and how a PEO partnership can open access to a more sustainable, Fortune 500 style benefits package without the administrative burden.
Credit unions with fewer than 100 employees should only attend the Sept. 30 session, as the Sept. 29 discussion will focus on topics specifically relevant to larger employers. Credit unions with more than 100 employees are welcome to join both sessions. These sessions have been specifically designed for CEOs, CFOs, and HR professionals. Please share this with the relevant members of your team.
Cooperative Business Services to Host Commercial Lending Lunch and Learn in Albany
The Association’s newest strategic business partner, Cooperative Business Services (CBS), is coming to Albany for a free Lunch & Learn focused on helping credit unions build and strengthen their commercial lending programs.
During Your Turnkey Solution to Commercial Lending, attendees will learn how CBS can support credit unions looking to launch a commercial lending program, expand an established program or outsource the heavy lifting without adding staff or overhead. CBS is a Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO) that has closed more than $4.5 billion in loans and partnered with more than 150 credit unions.
CBS not only manages your program from start to finish, they also source loan opportunities for you, allowing you to remain focused on what matters most — your members.
The event will take place Tuesday, Oct. 13, from 10 am-12pm at NYCUA headquarters, 4 Tower Place, 5th Floor, Albany.
John Skeldon, Chief Sales Officer at CBS, and TJ Simyak, Regional President – East at CBS, will lead the discussion.
Visions FCU’s Charles McKinney, Jr. Earns CUDE Designation
Congratulations to Charles McKinney, Jr. of Visions Federal Credit Union on earning the Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE) designation!
McKinney was among 54 credit union leaders who earned the designation as part of the September 2026 Development Education class. The program brings credit union professionals together to deepen their understanding of the credit union movement and explore how its cooperative principles can be used to address financial and community challenges.
Congratulations, Charles, on this achievement!
NYS DFS Issues New Cybersecurity Guidance on Risk Assessments
The New York State Department of Financial Services has issued new cybersecurity guidance focused on risk assessments for regulated financial services entities.
The guidance is designed to help covered entities understand and implement risk assessment requirements under New York’s cybersecurity regulation. Risk assessments help organizations identify cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities and ensure their cybersecurity programs, policies and controls appropriately address their individual risk profiles.
Credit unions and other regulated financial institutions are encouraged to review the guidance and evaluate how it may apply to their cybersecurity programs and risk assessment processes.
Stay ahead of the curve by subscribing to receive credit union news and updates directly to your inbox.