July 20, 2011
CUNA’s President Cheney Addresses CT Credit Unions
CUNA President & CEO Bill Cheney addressed nearly 50 Connecticut credit union representatives attending the League’s Professional Education Series session on Credit Union National Association and related industry activities.
Cheney provided insight into behind-the-scenes struggles of the recent debit interchange legislation leading up to a disappointing vote, but affording opportunities for credit unions to pursue. He also brought detailed discussion and updates on the industry, including the stress that credit unions are under, loss of revenue resources, National Credit Union Administration regulatory demands, National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund assessments as related to last year’s corporate credit union collapse, and the current positive image of credit unions in the media and with the public. Cheney’s remarks elicited many questions from the floor, which led to further in-depth discussion.
“We appreciate Bill’s coming to Connecticut to meet with our credit unions,” said Tony Emerson, League President and CEO. “His updates on critical issues affecting credit unions were timely and actionable. True to form, Bill was personable and responsive to credit union questions and concerns.”
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June 29, 2011
Connecticut Governor Addresses Credit Union League
of CT Governmental Affairs Conference
Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy opened the CT Governmental Affairs Conference today with pointed comments on the state of Connecticut’s economy and budgetary issues as well as the important role credit unions play in state economics, and encouraged the nearly 90 credit union representatives attending to continue serving members in these challenging economic times. Following the governor’s remarks, U.S. Rep. John Larson (CT 1st Dist.), spoke strongly in favor of the credit union nonprofit, tax-exempt status, gave full support of raising the cap on member business loans, and the importance of resolving the interchange issue favorable to credit unions.
Above, U.S. Rep. Jim Himes (4th Dist.), a member of the House Committee on Financial Services, covers hot legislative issues at the Connecticut Governmental Affairs Conference.
Additional speakers through the morning included U.S. Congressman Chris Murphy (CT 5th Dist.); State Senator and Assistant Majority Leader Bob Duff; CT Banking Commissioner Howard Pitkin; State Representative, House Republican Leader, and Attorney Lawrence Cafero, Jr. and former state senator, attorney, and current political editorialist Kevin Rennie. The conference concluded with a luncheon meeting with U.S. Rep. Jim Himes (CT 4th Dist.), a member of the House Committee on Financial Services, who put current critical issues affecting credit union in perspective for attendees.
“It is extremely important for us to provide our members with great opportunities to hear about issues of importance affecting them, and to meet with our elected officials both in Washington, D.C. and in Connecticut,” said Kelly Fuhlbrigge, League Vice President, Government Relations. “It is equally important for our elected officials to see that credit unions are a collective force. I believe we accomplished all of these goals here in Connecticut today with our Government Affairs Conference.”
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April 6, 2011
CT League Annual Meeting Provides Variety for CU Attendees
The 2011 Annual Meeting of the Credit Union League of Connecticut provided a wide variety of interactive activities for credit union attendees as they gathered at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville, Connecticut, on Tuesday, April 5, 2011. Nearly 200 credit union officials, staff, volunteers, and guests participated in education sessions on compliance issues and the corporate system, a chapter officials organizational meeting, interchange update and discussion, guest speakers, meals, a cocktail reception as well as visits with more than 40 exhibitors and industry service providers—all at no cost to affiliated credit unions.
Featured speakers included the Connecticut Attorney General George Jepson, who spoke on the function of his office; Lt. Colonel John T. Wiltse of the Connecticut National Guard, who discussed current Guard activity; Jay Friedland, compliance expert, President/CEO of M&M Consulting, and a CT League Strategic Partner, who reviewed current hot compliance issues; and Jay Murray, President of Mid-Atlantic Corporate Credit Union, who provided an overview of the corporate credit union system.
During the business meeting, the Board of Directors Governance Committee presented results of the recent statewide affiliated credit union voting on realignment of the League’s board from 12 directors and 6 alternates to 6 chapter directors and 3 at-large directors to streamline and enhance board effectiveness. In addition, the 2011 CT Credit Union Professional of the Year Award was presented to Robert L. Aresti, President & CEO of 360 Federal Credit Union, Windsor Locks, Conn., in recognition of his outstanding contributions to his credit union, its membership, the community it serves, and the credit union movement in Connecticut as a whole.
“It was gratifying to see so many credit union representatives attend and actively participate in the day’s events,” said Tony Emerson, League President and CEO. “We were pleased to provide an exciting array of pertinent and important issues and activities for our membership at no cost to them. I am pleased to note that their continued support and loyalty truly reflect the League’s motto, ‘Providing Exceptional Value Through Cooperative Support.’”
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April 8, 2011
The Credit Union League of Connecticut announces its
Board of Directors for 2011-2012 as follows:
Kathy L. Chartier, CEO, Members CU (3-Year Term)
Edward V. Crowley Jr., CEO, Fairfield Municipal FCU (2-Year Term)
John Dolan, Chief Lending Officer, Charter Oak FCU (1-Year Term)
James N. Farrell, CEO, New Haven County CU (1-Year Term)
Garrett R. Gizowski, CEO, United Shoreline FCU (1-Year Term)
John E. Keet Jr., CEO, Personal Care America FCU (3-Year Term)
Carl Skudlarek, Manager/CEO, Bridgeport City EFCU (2-Year Term)
Joanne Todd, President/CEO, Northeast Family FCU (2-Year Term)
Keith Wiemert, President/CEO, Seasons FCU (3-Year Term)
In 2009 the Board of Directors Governance Committee conducted a survey of affiliated credit unions proposing a restructuring of the director election system for the board. Changes in bylaws, approved by the membership in 2010, include a reduction in number from 12 chapter directors and 6 alternate directors to 6 chapter directors and 3 at-large directors as a means to streamline board governance and provide a more equitable representation of the state’s credit unions.
Officers for 2011-2012 are:
Chair Joanne Todd
Vice Chair Keith Wiemert
Secretary Kathy L. Chartier
Treasurer Carl Skudlarek
This election took place following the League’s Annual Meeting held Tuesday, April 5, at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville, Connecticut.
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March 31, 2011
Housatonic Community College Financial Reality Fair
Challenges Students, Impresses Dignitaries
Students pause to review and work on budgets during the Financial Reality Fair sponsored by Connecticut credit unions and held at the Housatonic Community College, Bridgeport, Conn., March 30, 2011
More than 375 students from 10 high schools throughout Connecticut converged at Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport, Conn. for the challenge of living within a budget as if they were striking out on their own Wednesday, March 31st. Over 50 volunteers from Connecticut credit unions and local businesses helped students through the paces of choosing housing, transportation, clothing, entertainment, and dozens of other life areas affecting their lives as young adults. For some, the challenge was manageable. “I liked the way choices were priced out,” said Cornelius Harge, sophomore at Derby (Conn.) High School. “That made it easier to decide what to go with. But right now, I’m looking over my budget to see where I stand before going on.”
Students weren’t the only ones in the room energized by the activity. “We covered a lot in class,” explained Joan Coutermarsh, Personal Finance teacher, Warren Harding High School in Bridgeport, “such as maintaining and balancing a checkbook and working within a budget. But this experience really expands on that and more! It’s teaching them critical thinking and challenging their analytical sense.” The Fair also impressed Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch. “It’s great to see these students exposed to these choices at this point in their lives,” he said. “This certainly is a crash course in reality!” And 22nd Connecticut District Senator Anthony Musto expressed it this way: “This is very exciting, but I imagine it can be a little intimidating. I mean, these inexperienced kids are facing tough choices and making consequential decisions. It’s a great experience teaching them what options they will be facing as they enter the adult world.”
The Financial Reality Fair program was created cooperatively by Connecticut’s credit unions in 2008, and provides a unique interactive learning experience for high school students. By the end of the 2010-2011 school year credit unions in Connecticut will have provided this experience for more than 5,000 high school students. The Connecticut model has been adopted by credit unions through the U.S., and will be featured in an NYIB webinar—“The REAL World–Credit Union Style”—on Thursday, March 31st.
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March 16, 2011
Connecticut League CEO Emerson
Appointed to AACUL Political Committee
Dr. Anthony L. Emerson, President and CEO of the Credit Union League of Connecticut, has accepted an invitation from the American Association of Credit Union Leagues to serve on their Political Involvement and Grassroots Committee.
The committee’s focus is to provide direction and feedback in the development, implementation, and championing of political and grassroots programs for the Credit Union System.
“I am honored to have been asked to serve on such an important committee for credit unions,” said Emerson. “The collective voice of credit unions is a vital instrument in affective lobbying and positive change for our industry, especially in our current economic climate.”
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February 22, 2011
Connecticut Congressmen Write Letters on Behalf of the
CT League to Federal Reserve on Interchange Issue
The Credit Union League of Connecticut has received copies of letters by both Congressman John B. Larson (CT-1) and Congressman Chris Murphy (CT-5) that were written as a result of meetings and comprehensive discussions with the League and their subsequent request to the Federal Reserve on Debit Card Interchange Fees and Routing. Both Congressmen are asking the Federal Reserve to make sure that their legislative intent is upheld when this bill was passed last year, to exempt small issuers like credit unions and banks so they can remain competitive with larger issuers.
“We are extremely proud to have members of Congress here in Connecticut who are receptive to the needs of credit unions to stay competitive in the marketplace,” said Tony Emerson, League President & CEO. “They understand that credit unions, as not-for-profits, would not be able to sustain debit card programs unless a two-tiered system is in place.”
The Credit Union League of Connecticut is pleased to recognize the merger between our strategic partner Access To Money and Cardtronics, the premier non-bank operator of self-service financial kiosks and automated teller machines. The merger not only affirms the strengthening relationship between the League and Access To Money, but also confirms the League’s commitment to provide Connecticut credit unions with superior products in the service of their members.
