Fall Hike the Hill Concludes

​John Alexander with a recap of meetings with regulators and our elected officials in DC. Plus, an unexpected face-to-face encounter with North Dakota Governor Burgum! 

by John Alexander, Director of Legislative & Regulatory Affairs
 
Time-Traveling CU Crusader Saves President Clinton from Botching Historic Legislation.
Strap in, folks—because I’ve hijacked the space-time continuum once again, and this time, I crash-landed in 1998 right in the Oval Office. Armed with my Meta glasses, I swooped in just in time to ensure President Bill Clinton didn't mess up the signing of H.R. 1151, the Credit Union Membership Access Act. There I am, cheesing it up in the corner while Bill's pen hits paper. Did I whisper, "Make it happen, Bill," in his ear? Maybe. Did I casually offer some saxophone tips to sweeten the deal? Possibly. The man needed a little time-travel-inspired guidance, okay?
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Without me, credit unions would still be stuck in the Stone Age, handing out free toasters like it's their only move. But thanks to this dashing time traveler, they’re able to flourish. What’s next for me? Who knows—maybe I’ll pop into Woodstock and teach Jimi Hendrix a thing or two about guitar solos, although I’m not certain how helpful that would be to credit union advocacy!

Speaking of advocacy, this week, 12 determined Dakota credit union professionals took on "Hike the Hill," confronting issues and having our voices heard about the credit union difference. We kicked things off with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), diving into tough topics like overdraft proposals, what Director Rohit Chopra calls “junk fees,” and mortgage cost reforms. But two questions stood out: What’s the CFPB’s stance on reservation loans; and Where do they draw the line between elder abuse and age discrimination under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act?
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Nhu-Han Nguyen and John McNamara from the CFPB listened closely during our Tuesday meetings, even arranging a follow-up meeting to address tribal land issues in more detail. Do I detect a change in the air?

On Wednesday, our delegation, which included representatives from multiple credit unions across both North and South Dakota, was able to meet face-to-face with Senators Thune, Cramer, and Hoeven, and Congressmen Armstrong and Johnson. We are grateful for their time as we put a voice to our industry’s concerns and advocate on behalf of all Dakota credit unions. Topics we discussed included trigger leads, the Electronic Funds Transfer Act, the Affordable Future Loan Program Act, as well as the importance of preserving the credit union tax status, just to name a few. 

On my way out to D.C., I had an unexpected meet-and-greet with Governor Doug Burgum at the airport. It was one of those unplanned moments that makes living here even more special! We had a great conversation about the Dakota Credit Union Association, our mission, and the people we represent. I even got to touch on some of the policies we are bringing to Washington. It’s these little encounters—like meeting your governor in Bismarck on a random Monday—that remind me how connected and meaningful our work truly is. Thanks to everyone for this incredible opportunity!