WASHINGTON–CUNA’s outgoing chairman praised the work credit unions have done during the pandemic and called for striking the “right balance” in adopting digital technologies moving forward.
The comments were offered as CUNA announced its new chairman and executive committee members. The group’s new chairman is Brad Green, president/CEO of Listerhill Credit Union, Sheffield, Ala.
Other executive committee members include:
- Vice Chairman: Tony Budet, president/CEO of University FCU in Austin, Texas
- Secretary: Lisa Ginter, president/CEO, CommunityAmerica, CU, Lenexa, Kan.
- Treasurer: Caroline Willard, president/CEO, Cornerstone League, Plano, Texas.
- At-Large Member: Patrick Pierce, [resident/CEO, City & County CU, St. Paul, Minn.
“Brad has worked diligently to fulfill his credit union’s mission to improves lives of their members in the Northwest Alabama and central Tennessee area,” said CUNA President/CEO Jim Nussle. “I want to welcome Brad to his new role and affirm that he is well-equipped to help lead our industry to becoming disruptive financial service providers. I also want to thank and recognize our outgoing Chairman Troy Stang for his excellent leadership and contributions during a year that was unlike any other.”
Added Green, “It is an honor to be elected as Chair of the CUNA board of directors, in service to the resilient credit union movement. We must collectively reimagine financial services in new and innovative ways that enhance financial well-being for all. I am committed to ensuring that credit unions are focused on preparing their members for the uncertain future.”
All About the Structure
Meanwhile, Stang, president and CEO of the Northwest Credit Union Association, wrapped up his term as chair of the trade group after having served on the board since 2013, including as vice chair, secretary, and treasurer. He remains on the CUNA board.
Stang noted that as Americans have grappled with pandemic-related hardship, credit unions quickly adapted their services in response by waiving millions of dollars in fees, processing thousands of small-business loans, offering skip payments and modifying loans, and contributed millions in charitable donations.
“It’s our structure that enables credit unions to place members’ needs first,” Stang said. “That structure motivates us to put people over profits. In 2020, credit unions across America demonstrated time and time again how to cooperatively generate and deliver real, tangible value to the members that they serve.”
Stang also emphasized the importance of sharing this impactful work with legislators, who can help remove the barriers and limitations that prevent credit unions from serving their communities.
“Credit unions were there for their members when global pandemic arrived at our doorstep,” Stang said. “As essential services, credit unions quickly and safely kept service flowing to members with technology, remote services, and safe, socially distant operations.”
‘Strike the Right Balance’
As the financial services industry continues to innovate through the use of technology, Stang further said credit unions must remain committed to digital adoption to continue to meet new and future member needs.
“We must strike the right balance between human connectivity and accelerating into this digital technology space,” he said. “The transformation curve is really going to be about reimagining how we bring people together through leveraging technology, data, and processes.”
Stang’s full outgoing address can be viewed online.