The President’s Perspective

​Summer of interchange continues; get ready to share your love of credit unions on July 28; and join us in Fargo for the DakCU Professionals Forum! 

As we approach the 4th of July, I hope you enjoy your freedom with friends and family over the summer holiday this coming weekend and all next week. Many of us will be taking vacations, and it’s a good time to reflect on the many freedoms we enjoy.

Last summer, we were having serious discussions with Senator Cramer about Durbin 2.0 which would implement interchange limitations as it did with debit cards nearly a decade ago. So, here we are again – in the middle of another summer of interchange. Rest assured, the CUNA-League system continues to fight against the “Big Box Bill,” heading off misguided and ill-informed arguments in favor of telling policymakers the very real consequences for everyone but the big box retailers.
 
Last week, DakCU – along with every other league – signed a CUNA-AACUL letter which was sent to House and Senate leadership, highlighting our united voice of opposition to the Credit Card Competition Act. We encourage you to continue to share our message; we strongly oppose this legislation and need your help telling Congress how changes to interchange would negatively impact your credit union and members. If you haven’t already done so, it’s important to visit the Grassroots Action Center and send a message to your legislators.

Share your #ILoveMyCreditUnion story!
Credit union champions are gearing up for the social media blitz set for Friday, July 28, as we are locked and loaded to tell the world why we love our credit unions. Last year the event produced a global reach of more than SIX MILLION people! In all, more than 850 organizations and people across all 50 states and 11 countries participated in the one-day blitz, which is designed to encourage and build credit union awareness.

On July 28 this year, you can participate by making a social media post on any or all platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn, using #ILoveMyCreditUnion. The idea is to get that hashtag trending, bringing more attention to our great industry. I’m looking forward to seeing all the great posts from credit union staff, members, volunteers and everyone that loves their credit unions. I’m pleased to see many of our credit unions have already signed up. If you haven’t yet, you can learn more here.
 
Come to the DakCU Professionals Forum; Stay for the Golf Scramble!
Get out your calendars and save the dates for two important events happening in Fargo this August. First, the DakCU Professionals Forum will take place on Tuesday, August 15th at the Delta Hotel. Exclusively for Dakota Credit Union Association members as a dues-supported benefit, your Association invites credit union professionals from across North Dakota and South Dakota to gather to discuss and learn from each other on a variety of topics. This event is open to all credit union professionals; and it is our best opportunity to network, exchange ideas, discuss operational challenges, and learn about best practices among peers. Our day will begin at 12:30 p.m. (CT) – please grab lunch ahead of time (on your own) and then gather at the Delta Hotel. Conversations and discussions will begin immediately and continue until approximately 5:30 p.m. when our social, sponsored by Millenium Corporate, begins at the same location. Again, this is a complimentary event for affiliated credit unions, but we do ask you to register no later than Friday, August 4th, so we can reserve your seat. Register here.

Then, while you are in town, stay for more fun on Wednesday, August 16th, as the Dakota Credit Union Foundation kicks off our 7th Annual Golf Scramble at Rose Creek Golf Course. All proceeds will go to Fargo Sanford Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in support of the new Credit Unions for Kids Micro preemie Unit. You can sign up as an individual player, register a team, or even grab one of our many sponsorship opportunities to support this great cause. More information and registration is available is available here.

Have a great week, and please have a safe and enjoyable 4th of July holiday!

DakCU President/CEO