By Mary Arnold
In honor of the 100th anniversary of U.S. credit unions (our Canadian friends already reached this esteemed mark in 2000), CUES will be proposing a toast during CEO Network's awards banquet. And I'm looking forward to lifting my glass high to celebrate this accomplishment with all of you who will be in attendance.
With all that's going on in the financial world these days, an anniversary might not seem like something to spend a lot of time and thought on. But just as Morriss reminded us on International Credit Union Day, it's good to stop, if only briefly, to remember what makes credit unions great and what an important impact you have on members' lives.
Many federal credit unions were formed during The Great Depression (or, as my daughter so aptly calls it, The Desperation). People needed credit unions then, just as they need them now.
But that's just my two cents. How do YOU think credit unions have distinguished themselves in the marketplace in their first 100 years? And, even more important, what are your hopes for the next 100?
Mary Arnold is VP/publications for CUES.
