Credit unions look forward to working with Congress to strengthen the partnership between credit unions, members and their communities, CUNA Chief Advocacy Officer Ryan Donovan wrote to all 535 Congressional offices Wednesday. This email continues CUNA’s outreach to congressional offices highlighting various aspects of the credit union difference and what it means for 115 credit union members in America.

“The communities across your state are made stronger by the people who live, work and thrive there. For the credit unions calling those same communities home, the primary goal is ensuring that their neighbors—your constituents—can thrive financially,” Donovan wrote. “That's because credit unions, as not-for-profit financial cooperatives, are committed to keeping earnings local by reinvesting in their members and communities, rather than sending profits to faraway investors.”

Donovan also noted that credit unions provide more than $18.9 billion in financial benefit to American consumers each year through higher savings and returns, lower rates and fewer fees.

“That’s money that helps your constituents start their small business, build their rainy-day fund or buy their first home,” he wrote.

Donovan’s message aligns with CUNA’s advocacy focus for 2020, highlighting to policymakers the difference credit unions make for their members every day.