WESTconsin Employees Attend 2022 CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference

The 2022 CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference took place in Washington, D.C. from February 27 through March 3. The advocacy event provided credit union leaders with an opportunity to network, discuss policies, celebrate wins, and meet with legislators on Capitol Hill. WESTconsin Credit Union was pleased to send three employees to the conference, Jennifer Rathke, Vice President - Member Advocacy, Russ Blasius, Senior Vice President - Retail Operations, and Kyrah Klika, Vice President - Chippewa Falls Office.

Our three employees joined roughly 50 advocates from the state of Wisconsin and nearly 4,000 from across the United States to experience an exhibit from vendors across the nation that support the Credit Union Movement and the advancement of Financial Well-Being for All. WESTconsin representatives had the opportunity to meet with the Wisconsin Congressional Delegation to showcase credit unions’ impact in 2021 – including helping the 3.5 million credit union members across the state of Wisconsin to save over $431 million. 

Jennifer Rathke said, “we were able to share ‘People Before Profit’ stories and a summary of credit unions’ policy priorities with delegates.” She continues, “we left the legislators each with a few requests that they consider moving forward.” Those requests included:

• Reforms to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) structure of leadership. Delegates advocated for a fairer approach or structure that includes a bi-partisan counsel, rather than a partisan appointed leadership structure.
• Modernizing the Federal Credit Union Act, including updating member expulsion policies and field of membership expansion to underserved areas.
• Protection small businesses’ access to private-sector financing and preventing SBA direct lending.
• The preservation of credit union tax status.

Credit unions put our members ahead of the bottom line to promote financial well-being and advance our communities. WESTconsin seeks to enrich members, communities, and employees with the resources and support to achieve financial wellness. While supporting one another, we’re Inspiring Better.