PROVIDENCE, R.I. (1/15/16)--While credit unions often aim to get in the good graces of lawmakers during legislative events, it was lawmakers who lavished praise on the good work of credit unions this week when the Rhode Island credit union movement held its Governmental Affairs Day in Providence.

More than 50 credit union leaders attended the event, which was hosted by Paul Gentile, president/CEO of the Cooperative Credit Union Association. Gary Furtado, chair of the Rhode Island advocacy committee and president/CEO of Navigant CU, Smithfield, R.I., also helped welcome the ranking lawmakers who were in attendance.

Lawmakers included General Treasurer Seth Magaziner, Lt. Gov. Daniel McKee, and Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed (D-Jamestown-Newport).

McKee noted the quality work of the state’s credit union movement. And Paiva Weed expressed her appreciation for Rhode Island credit unions by detailing their value, including:

• Consumers have saved more than $31 million per year in direct financial benefits through credit union membership;
   
• More than one-third of the state’s population, or roughly 358,000 people, are credit union members;
   
• The movement boasts a workforce of 945 full-time and 82 part-time employees, spread among 21 credit unions and nearly 70 branches; and
   
• The CU 4 Reality Financial Literacy Program conducted four reality fairs in 2015, touching more than 500 students in the state.

The day concluded with networking and discussion sessions, with at least 15 lawmakers making time to meet with their credit union constituents.