SEATTLE—CUNA Chairman Rod Staatz told credit unions Tuesday that if they think many Americans understand credit unions, they are mistaken.
“If we all think everyone knows what credit unions are, that all of America gets it, that is not the case,” said Staatz in remarks leading up to CUNA’s introduction of its new awareness campaign during the trade association’s America’s Credit Union Conference here. “You can look at this as a problem or an opportunity. Please look at this as an opportunity. We have a long way to go to tell our story, but we have a great story to tell.”
As CUNA President and CEO Jim Nussle has stated since he stepped into his role, Staatz told attendees that the effort to tell the credit union story needs involvement from everyone—leagues, CU staff, directors and members.
“We hope you will commit to raising credit union awareness across the country,” said Staatz, who is also CEO of SECU in Maryland. “Because if we are going to be in financial services long term and serve our members they have to know who we are.”
That will also lead to a louder credit union voice within Washington and NCUA, he said.
“You are loud and proud of credit unions, so how do we turn that into something people hear from us and over time and effects positive change for credit unions, removing regulatory barriers to serving our members,” said Staatz.