Wow, what a year—and it’s not over yet.

So many firsts—namely the merger between NAFCU and CUNA to combine the organizations’ best traits and make a bigger impact on lawmakers and regulators.

It’s an exciting time as the new America’s Credit Unions writes a fresh chapter on advocacy.

Notes CUNA President/CEO Jim Nussle, who’ll lead the new organization: Credit union leaders nationwide answered clearly that a single, strong, and united national voice will best serve credit unions and their members (“Bringing the best to our movement”).

As leaders from CUNA and NAFCU have made clear during this process, America’s Credit Unions isn’t CUNA 2.0 or NAFCU 2.0. It’s not the absorption of one organization into the other. It’s a fresh start, with the best of both organizations available to credit unions.

This will ensure that credit unions’ advocacy messages continue to cut through the clutter on both the state and federal levels, improving consumers’ access to credit unions and heightening their financial peace of mind, says Lisa Ginter, CEO at $4.6 billion asset CommunityAmerica Credit Union in Lenexa, Kan. (“One movement, one unified voice”).

Together, she writes, we’ll build something new and even more powerful for the sake of members.

Nussle outlines five pillars for the success of America’s Credit Unions:

1. Federal advocacy with support and collaboration at the state level.
2. A clear, united voice that’s representative of the entire industry.
3. Strong compliance assistance.
4. Education and cooperative networking.
5. Member engagement with an increased focus on responsiveness.

It certainly bodes well for a memorable Governmental Affairs Conference (March 3-7, 2024).

Already a high point of the year, this event will level up the energy with even more passionate credit union advocates in the mix.

Here’s to an exceptional 2024.

BILL MERRICK is deputy editor at Credit Union National Association.