Gerber Federal Credit Union‘s President/CEO John P. Buckley Jr. and Senior Vice President/CFO Todd Visser traveled to Washington, D.C., to join nearly 500 credit union advocates from around the country in face-to-face meetings with lawmakers and regulators.
The occasion was the annual credit union advocacy event. Buckley and Visser sat down with members of Congress and other policymakers to talk through legislative priorities aimed at protecting consumers, strengthening local economies, and keeping affordable financial services within reach.
For Buckley, the trip is part of the job. “Our mission extends beyond the walls of our branches,” he said. “We have a responsibility to ensure the voices of our members are heard by those making decisions that impact their financial well-being. Advocacy is an important part of protecting the cooperative, member-focused model that credit unions provide.”
The conversations covered several specific issues: fighting check fraud, updating outdated financial reporting requirements, and giving credit unions more flexibility in lending. That last point matters because it lets them respond better to the changing needs of families, farmers, students, and small businesses.
The group also used the visit to thank lawmakers who have backed the credit union movement, and to make the case for the difference credit unions make in the communities they serve.
Visser kept the focus on members. “Every conversation we have with policymakers is ultimately about our members,” he said. “Whether we’re advocating for stronger fraud prevention measures or greater access to affordable lending, our goal is to help create better financial opportunities for the people and communities we serve.”
Gerber FCU is a member-owned financial cooperative, and it says it will keep pushing for legislation and policies that support financial security, consumer protection, and economic opportunity. If you’re a member and have thoughts on fraud protection or access to loans, tell your credit union. Those real-world experiences are exactly what leaders carry into rooms like these.