FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE       

CONTACT: Lauren Williams – CUNA Communications; (202) 626-7642; lwilliams@cuna.coop     

Manchester, NH (June 28, 2018) – The CUNA Research Library at America’s Credit Union Museum was unveiled yesterday at a ribbon-cutting ceremony. 

The new CUNA Research Center is a result of a $3.3 million campaign that completely renovated an unused building next to the Museum.  Credit Union National Association (CUNA) was the lead sponsor with a gift of $1 million.  Campaign funds will also be used for a second phase which will renovate the main Museum building; add new exhibits; and digitize documents so they can be made available to credit unions, credit union partners, and researchers across the county either physically or electronically.

At the ceremony, Michael L’Ecuyer, Chairman of the Museum and President/CEO of Bellwether Community Credit Union, thanked CUNA by saying, “Good trade associations are effective advocates for their constituents; great trade associations also develop and deliver relevant industry products and services to members.  Exceptional trade associations do all of the above and while looking for opportunities to transform their industry. CUNA’s investment in the Museum was one of those opportunities.  For that we are forever thankful.”

Jim Nussle, President and CEO of CUNA said, “Sometimes you go to a Museum and all you care about is the past.  With the opening of the CUNA Research Center, it gives us the opportunity to talk about the future and to celebrate the innovative things credit unions are going to be able to do in the future. CUNA is honored to be part of this.  We invite all credit unions to come to the CUNA Research Center to celebrate history and to get ready for an exciting future.”

The ceremony also featured a dedication of the Richard “Dick” L. Ensweiler Research Library.  Dick Ensweiler, long-time credit union leader and recently retired CEO of the Cornerstone Credit Union League, and his family were present for the event.   Dick remarked, “To see my name here is beyond anything I could have ever imagined.  The spirit and energy I gave was because it was something I love.”

To schedule a tour of the Museum and CUNA Research Center or for information on becoming a sustaining member of America’s Credit Union Museum, contact Stephanie Smith at ssmith@acumuseum.org  or (603) 629-1553.

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About America’s Credit Union Museum

America’s Credit Union Museum and CUNA Research Center is housed in the building where the country’s first credit union was started in Manchester, NH.  The Museum offers a one-of-a-kind interactive experience that tangibly illustrates the roots of the credit union movement and the important role credit unions continue to play in the present and future.  

About CUNA       

Credit Union National Association (CUNA) is the only national association that advocates on behalf of all of America’s credit unions, which are owned by 110 million consumer members. CUNA, along with its network of affiliated state credit union leagues, delivers unwavering advocacy, continuous professional growth and operational confidence to protect the best interests of all credit unions. For more information about CUNA, visit cuna.org.