The credit union system does collaboration any other industry, it's the common thread running through the entire movement, MD|DC Credit Union Association President/CEO John Bratsakis wrote in CUInsight. Bratsakis says this year’s CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference highlighted the engagement and energy of credit unions.

“We are an industry that is powered by personal relationships; the relationships we build with our colleagues and peers, with policymakers and with members,” he wrote. “When I began my credit union career over 30 years ago, I was told that a culture based on collaboration is what sets credit unions apart from other financial institutions.

“Collaboration has been, and always will be, essential to our movement’s continued growth and success,” he added.

Bratsakis said credit union collaboration can promote and protect credit union priorities, and the CUNA-League-credit union partnership helps with continued policymaker engagement.

“As Leagues, we work tirelessly with our credit unions to develop and maintain strong relationships with every single member of congress. When the pandemic hit, lawmakers at both the state and federal levels turned to credit unions and leagues for their expertise in identifying how best to help those struggling financially,” he wrote. “Those relationships are why we had a seat at the decision-making table and why we are the envy of other national trade associations.”