News Release: NY CUs Make Annual ‘Hike the Hill’ Pilgrimage to DC

(August 12 - Albany, NY) – A contingent of New York credit unionists and representatives from the Credit Union Association of New York made their voices heard on the Congressional front during their grassroots lobbying trip at the close of July.

During their visits, participants spoke in general about the importance of the credit union movement before moving on to specifics, such as raising the business lending cap, risk-based capital and proposed interchange fee legislation. They also shared stories about credit union efforts during the current mortgage crisis, emphasizing the strength of credit unions during this economically challenging time.

In the House, the group met with 21 representatives and/or their staff. They made a point of thanking the lawmakers for their support of CUBTERRA while still promoting sponsorship of credit union’s flagship legislation, CURIA.

On the Senate side, representatives meet with staff from both Senator Charles Schumer’s and Senator Hilary Clinton’s offices. They advocated for Senate passage of CUBTERRA and explained their opposition to legislation that would regulate and limit interchange fees.

“These visits are crucial to credit unions maintaining visibility in DC, especially in light of this year’s elections,” said William J. Mellin, president/CEO of the Association. “Our representatives need to hear about credit unions directly from credit union professionals that serve their constituents and communities, not from other financial institutions that first and foremost have their board’s pocketbooks in mind.”

Coordinated by the Credit Union Association of New York, the meetings ensure that credit union leaders have the attention of legislators and/or their staff on several issues key to credit unions just before their August recess.

Accompanying the group were the Association’s President/CEO William J. Mellin, Senior Vice President and General Counsel Michael Lanotte and Vice President of Governmental Affairs Amy Kramer.

The Credit Union Association of New York has served as the trade association for the state’s credit unions for 91 years. It is the fifth largest league in the country. New York credit unions have assets of more than $40 billion and 4.2 million members. To learn more about the Association, visit www.nyscul.org.

Visiting with U.S. Representative John R. Kuhl, Jr. (R-Finger Lakes/Jamestown, 3rd from right) are (l-r): John Prumo, CEO, GPO FCU & board president; Marie Betti, CEO, Western New York FCU and board secretary; Lori Kain, Community Outreach & Governmental Affairs, Corning FCU; Arline L. Bayò Santiago, SVP & general counsel, ESL FCU; and Al Frosolone, CEO, Niagara’s Choice FCU and board vice president

(from left): Rob Nemeroff, marketing director, Melrose CU; James McKeon, board member, Municipal CU; and Association President/CEO William J. Mellin had a very positive meeting with U.S. Representative Carolyn B. Maloney (D-Metropolitan), an original co-sponsor of CURIA and chair of the House Financial Services Committee’s Financial Institutions Subcommittee.

Not pictured but in attendance were: Strategic Business Analyst/Governmental Affairs Evan Gotlob, Bethpage FCU and Board Member Fred Schaefer, Teachers FCU.