CUEvangelist®’s Post

PCCU recently attended the Inclusiv Credit Unions Conference 50 in New York. At the four-day conference PCCU discussed how credit unions in the UK serve members with ethical savings and affordable loans, shared experience with US colleagues and identify ways to improve the service we provide. The team took the opportunity to visit Brooklyn Cooperative Federal Credit Union and Lower East Side People's Federal Credit Union to discuss the challenges we both face and celebrate the great successes we have had in helping our communities. PCCU CEO Kathryn highlighted how valuable Inclusiv 50 had been "The 2024 Inclusiv conference was an amazing, inspirational experience. The sessions and credit union branch visits highlighted that PCCU face the same challenges as many of the Community Development Credit Unions in the US. To share our practices and experiences with each other strengthens our commitment to serve low and moderate income members of our communities in an inclusive and respectful way. In the same way as PCCU, US credit unions celebrates the great successes they have in helping their communities while adhering to the co-operative principles. " Find out more 👇 #inclusiv50

Research is crucial, but nothing beats hearing success stories firsthand about the impact of choosing to be part of a Credit Union. The knowledge I have gained is invaluable, and passing it on to my community adds another layer of satisfaction. #CreditUnion #CommunityImpact Where you spend your 40 hrs matter. Be the change you wish to see in the world. #Collections #OneLife at a time.

Without a doubt, community outreach is at the core of the credit union movement. But, can it help deepen the appeal to credit unions among the socially conscious, purpose-driven Generation Z? Read our latest post to find out. https://lnkd.in/dt5N8UU2 #CreditUnions #GenZBanking #FinancialServices

Standing on a stage in Atlanta, where speaking up against racial division could easily cost you your life and "separate but equal" was not only an everyday reality but upheld by certain laws, Booker T. Washington gave a speech that drew a roaring ovation from the entire audience, regardless of what section they sat in.    He was invited to be an opening speaker at the Cotton States and International Exposition in September of 1895, a "world’s fair" with over 800,000 attendees to showcase the technology and facilities of the southern states and to foster trade with South America and Europe. Washington would deliver the first-ever public speech by an African American to an audience of this magnitude. Knowing his audience and his purpose, he straddled the many delicate issues of the day, understanding that the wrong words could ignite a social fire that would not lead to progress but further separation. He called for peaceful working relationships and appealed for opportunity based on merit, hard work, and mutual progress with a hope for prosperity that would benefit the entire country. It was one of the most important speeches in the history of our country and catapulted his standing with the American public. He stood up for his beliefs and called for hard work, harmony, and peace even in the face of personal harm, much like Dr. Martin Luther King, whom we celebrate today.   Four years earlier in Boston where Washington could speak more frankly, he talked about one of the biggest issues facing African American farmers in the South- the practice of mortgaging crops. Borrowing against their future harvest the money needed to buy the seed and fertilizer to produce them. The suppliers would significantly inflate the cost of materials and the lenders would charge interest rates as high as 30%. This practice created a nearly impossible financial situation for those farmers. Farmers struggling to independently move on from slavery.   As I thought about his use of the word "mortgage", I considered the etymology of the word itself. Derived from the old French words "Mort" which means dead; and "Gage" which is a pledge; mortgage translates to a "dead pledge". Meaning the deal has an end date, eventually being paid in full. At some point the debt is paid off or the lender has the right to recoup their investment if the terms are not met. Washington's point was that while slavery was abolished in the US, a new form had emerged.   For any of us who have ever carried debt of any kind, the most amazing words we can ever hear is "Paid in Full"! What a liberating and energizing statement. We owed something, and now we don't!   Booker T. Washington was born into slavery and emerged as one of the most influential people in the history of our country. He stood on a platform that a man's opportunity should be based on his merit and contribution, nothing else.   In the words of Dr Martin Luther King: “Free at last, free at last. Thank God almighty, we are free at last!”

Is your existing charter choice limiting your credit union’s field of membership and potential? Learn about other charter choices that promote growth, reach, and capabilities. https://lnkd.in/e-XrZxKj #CUOnTheShow #CreditUnions #CreditUnionExecutives

As not-for-profit financial cooperatives, credit unions are guided by the cooperative principles. The eighth cooperative principle is diversity, equity & inclusion. Credit unions support diversity, equity and inclusion as a shared credit union cooperative principle and continue to have a responsibility and take a leadership role in building and serving more diverse, equitable and inclusive communities. https://lnkd.in/gyDm8V7h

Did you catch FDIC Chairman's remarks on the Economic Inclusion Strategy last month? If you missed it, Rob Ellis has you covered with the biggest takeaways and more here on our blog! https://lnkd.in/eYdkS4Ua

🎉 Another Successful Annual Strategy Day for Right Way Credit Union 🎉 We are delighted to share the highlights from our incredibly successful Strategy Day. 🤔 Reflecting: on our achievements and challenges over the past year 2023. 🔍 Purpose Achieved: We gathered to map out the future of Right Way Credit Union, focusing on member-centric goals, innovative financial solutions, and sustainable growth strategies. 💡 Key Takeaways: In-depth discussions on evolving market trends and how to best serve our members during the cost of living crisis and beyond. Creative workshops that sparked new ideas for service enhancements Valuable networking that strengthened our community ties and partnerships with Renfrewshire Council, and with our new stakeholders in Inverclyde in partnership with Inverclyde Council 🌐 Our Promise Fulfilled: This Strategy Day wasn’t just about planning; it was a reaffirmation of our commitment to serving our members with integrity and foresight. We emerged more united and focused on our mission to provide affordable credit to the community in the West of Scotland. 👏 Heartfelt Thanks: Special thanks to everyone involved, especially the Scottish League of Credit Unions for their expert guidance and support in facilitating the day and Lesley Davidson and The Beacon Arts Centre for providing a fantastic venue with even more spectacular views over the Clyde Estuary. We cant recommend this venue enough for any corporate or private events you may have. A real hidden gem 💎 🔜 What's Next: With clear objectives and invigorated spirit, we are excited for what lies ahead in 2024 and working with our members and stakeholders to help build a stronger more robust credit union. As always thanks to all our members who support each other through the #ethicalfinance model of credit unions. #peoplehelpingpeople for a hand up, not a hand out. #RightWayCU #StrategyDayReflections #CreditUnionSuccess #InnovativeBanking #CommunityFocus #FutureForward

2024 marks a significant milestone in my professional journey – 20 years of dedicated service within the credit union movement and I can honestly say, i still love my job! How cool is that 😎 It's an occasion that fills me with both pride and nostalgia. Sometimes, we are so busy looking forward that we forget to look back and appreciate how far we've come but our recent strategy day gave me that opportunity. It feels like just yesterday I decided to volunteer at a small credit union in Renfrew with 500 members. It was all about local people volunteering their time and effort to provide a safe haven for their friends, family, and neighbours money. It was the epitome of a community organisation, truly run by the people, for the people. We have witnessed substantial growth since those early days and I have gained a few wrinkles and more than a few lbs along the way 🙈 The landscape has evolved dramatically, with technological advances reshaping our operations, changing consumer habits, and an ever-increasing array of regulatory frameworks to navigate. Yet, through all these changes, my belief in the core ethos of the credit union movement has only strengthened. In today's world, I firmly believe that credit unions are more relevant and necessary than ever before. It's not just about the financial services we provide. It's about fostering a sense of community belonging, creating volunteering opportunities, and nurturing a culture where genuine people work together for mutual aid and support. As I celebrate this 20-year mark, I am reminded of the incredible impact credit unions have on communities and individuals alike. We're more than just financial institutions; we are a lifeline, a support system, and a testament to the power of collective effort. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey – colleagues, members, my family and our supportive community. I have been fortunate to meet some truly inspiring #communitychampions who do things for people and their communities, "just because its the right thing to do" These people are the unsung hero's. Here's to continuing our mission of empowering communities and making a difference, one member at a time! #CreditUnionMovement #20YearsOfService #CommunityBanking #FinancialInclusion #Volunteering #Teamwork

Ending #NationalSmallBusinessWeek with a small, but meaningful win! The best part of my job is helping local business owners, and this one especially since I have a major sweet-tooth! CommunityAmerica Credit Union is committed to investing in our community. #InvestedInYou Please feel free to reach out if you or someone you know would like to have a discussion. #NationalSmallBusinessWeek #CreditUnion #CommunityAmerica #SmallBiz