NEW ORLEANS--Built to elevate the small credit union voice while helping those institutions address unique challenges, America’s Credit Unions’ Small Credit Union Conference kicked off here Monday.
The sold-out event opened with remarks from President/CEO Scott Simpson on how cooperative finance continues to change lives, and included panel discussions, networking opportunities, and more.
Head of Regulatory Advocacy James Akin hosted a panel discussion on how small credit unions can engage in advocacy. The panel included Calhoun Liberty Credit Union President/CEO Thomas Flowers, Afena Federal Credit Union President/CEO Karen Madry, and First Pioneers CEO Lawoka Bolden.
Flowers chairs America’s Credit Unions Small Credit Union Advocacy Advisory Panel, and shared his experience at an April Small Business Office of Advocacy event in Washington, D.C. The office advocates on behalf of small businesses to other regulators.
Flowers was the sole financial institution representative at the SBA event, and shared how regulatory relief, especially for small credit unions, would allow credit unions to use those resources for member services, ACU said.
Madry, who testified before Congress on behalf of America’s Credit Unions on the need for regulatory relief, also shared the importance of bringing the voice of members to policymakers.
Monday also included a charity giveback project in coordination with the United Way of Southeast Louisiana and sponsored by TruStage in support of local charities.