ARLINGTON, Va.–More credit union events have been cancelled as a result of risks related COVID 19, with NAFCU, CUNA and the Cooperative Credit Union Association the latest to announce postponements of meetings they were planning to host.
Separately, NCUA has indicated it will not be holding what would be its regular open board meeting next week.
NAFCU said it is Spring Regulatory School, which had been set for next week in Arlington, Va. Approximately a half-dozen other meetings have also been canceled, with one CU also cancelling its annual meeting.
The World Health Organization has now declared the global coronavirus crisis a pandemic.
NAFCU said registered attendees have been notified of the cancellation via email, which contains additional information on how to transfer conference registrations or obtain a refund, and how to proceed with canceling hotel and flight reservations.
NAFCU said its other 2020 NAFCU conferences are still on.
CUNA Postpones Events
CUNA said it is postponing its schools and conferences through April 10, including the CUNA Consumer & Residential Mortgage Lending School.
The trade group has created a website offering updates on its meetings here.
CCUA Postponements
In Marlborough, Mass., the Cooperative Credit Union Association announced that it is postponing its in-person events and trainings through May 1, 2020.
“The association is the leader in educating and unifying credit unions in our four states, and I know much of that is derived from our numerous in-person events. But I also believe we need to do our part to help mitigate the impact and spread of the coronavirus,” said CCUA President/CEO Ron McLean.
Going forward, the CCUA said it will be migrating a number of its educational events to its teleconferencing infrastructure “where members and CCUA staff can safely engage one another through webcasts and webinars delivered directly to members.”
McLean also reported CCUA will take the time between now and May 1 to assess itss next steps and will announce any rescheduled dates once they have been determined.
In addition, the CCUA has created a coronavirus resource page.
NCUA Board Meeting
In Alexandria, Va., NCUA has announced only a closed meeting for next week, with no mention of its traditional monthly open board meeting. If the COVID-19 pandemic is the reason for not hosting the public meeting, the agency did not say. Why NCUA is not holding the meeting without an audience and just broadcasting it online was also not explained.
According to the agency’s website, on March 19 it will hold a closed meeting to consider supervisory and personnel matters.
With the exception of August of each year, NCUA typically holds its meetings the third week of each month.
The FDIC has announced it will hold its regularly scheduled board meeting next week on March 17, but it will be closed to the public and streamed live online.
The FDIC board agenda includes a proposal related to parent companies of industrial banks and industrial loan companies.
CU Annual Meeting Cancelled
In Sumter, S.C., SAFE Federal Credit Union has postponed its 2020 Annual Member Meeting, originally scheduled for March 16, 2020.
“Last year’s Annual Meeting attracted nearly 1,300 members,” said SAFE President and CEO Darrell Merkel. “Given the recent coronavirus cases nearby, we don’t want to put our members, employees or the community at risk with a large public gathering.”
Election results will be announced on the rescheduled meeting date, or by other means. Recipients of scholarship awards will be contacted individually. Gifts typically given during the Annual Meeting will be distributed later in the year as part of a special member appreciation event, the credit union said.
Other Meeting Cancellations
Other meetings that have also been cancelled include:
- The CUNA Marketing & Business Development Council Conference set for Seaworld in Orlando this weekend. No alternative dates have been announced. Attendees are being urged to contact the Renaissance Orlando at Seaworld Hotel if they had a reservation, as the hotel has a 48-hour cancellation policy. The phone is 800-327-6677.
- PSCU announced it is postponing its Member Forum 2020. The event had been scheduled for April 21-23 in San Francisco. PSCU said it plans to announce new dates and other information soon. PSCU said it plans to host a virtual event in the April 21-23 timeframe and will provide an update as soon as dates and format are finalized.
- NASCUS said it is postponing its annual National Meeting for state regulators, which was set to be held next week in New Orleans. NASCUS said it plans to host the event in New Orleans later this year.
- CO-OP Financial Services has moved its THINK 20 Conference from early May to Aug. 17-20, as CUToday.info reported here.