WASHINGTON—Following up on its targeted digital advertising campaign to defend credit unions’ tax-exempt status, the Defense Credit Union Council reached out Thursday to every office on Capitol Hill, reminding them of the value of credit unions.
Both the digital ad campaign and Thursday’s initiative are strategically timed to align with the influx of bankers in D.C. this week for the American Bankers Association’s annual Washington Summit, DCUC noted.
In Thursday’s email, DCUC Chief Advocacy Officer Jason Stverak noted that the bankers are in town this week.
“I wanted to make sure I followed up with additional information in case you had any questions about the important role credit unions are playing in the lives of millions of Americans – including those in your home state,” Stverak wrote.
Money troubles don’t just hurt wallets – they weigh on hearts, Stverak said, adding that “research increasingly confirms that when people are struggling financially, they often feel isolated, ashamed, and disconnected. In other words, financial stress is feeding an epidemic of loneliness.”
Stverak emphasized that this isolation can be especially acute for those who have sacrificed for the nation.
“Many young servicemembers, veterans, and military spouses face tight budgets and uncertainty, often far from the support of home. When a soldier or veteran feels alone under these pressures, the results can be heartbreaking. That’s why it is so essential to have trusted places to turn – and why credit unions matter now more than ever,” Stverak wrote.
Stverak reminded that credit unions exist to serve people, not profit from them.
“Unlike big banks, we’re member-owned and mission-driven. Credit unions began as small, community cooperatives over a century ago to provide fair financial services for those overlooked by for-profit institutions,” he said.
Stverak concluded by stating that nowhere is the credit union difference more profound than within the military community.
“As Chief Advocacy Officer at the Defense Credit Union Council, I have the privilege of hearing story after story of how defense credit unions support servicemembers and veterans every day. Defense Credit Unions make a difference every day,” Stverak stressed. “You don’t need to take my word for it – Read about how a credit union helped Vice-President Vance when he began his service as a U.S. Marine. Young, enlisted troops, often away from home for the first time, find in their on-base credit union a mentor to teach them budgeting and saving. Military spouses find a friendly partner who understands the challenges of deployments and frequent moves.
“When emergencies strike – a broken car, a delayed paycheck – credit unions step up with low-interest emergency loans or personalized solutions to bridge the gap,” continued Stverak. “These are trusted, compassionate alternatives to predatory financial institutions that too often target our troops…I am writing today to urge you to champion the credit union mission as you shape policy in Washington.”