Ann NaimanThe 2021 Virtual Alabama Advocacy Conference is now officially in the history books as a success! At the heart of the Alabama Advocacy Conference is building relationships with lawmakers and yesterday’s conference was no exception.
The day started off with a welcome from LSCU President, Jared Ross, followed by an update on LSCU’s advocacy efforts in Alabama’s Goat Hill from LSCU’s Senior Director of Governmental Affairs Allison Allen. Allen shared an update on the 2021 LSCU Alabama Legislative Agenda:
- COVID-19 Legal Liability Protections
- Financial Institution Excise Tax Clarification
- Remote Notarization
- Merchant Data Breach Liability
- Protection of Elders from Financial Exploitation
- State Charter Enhancements
- Public Deposits
- Marine Vessel Titling
- Regulation of Cryptocurrency
- Alabama Credit Unions Fund Sweep
- Taxation
- Financial Literacy
LSCU wants to thank all of the speakers for the Conference including President Pro Tempore, Senator Greg Reed (R-Jasper), Speaker of the House, Rep. Mac McCutcheon (R-Monrovia), Chairman of the House Committee on Financial Services, Rep. Chris Blackshear (R-Phenix City), House Democratic Whip, Rep. Jeremy Gray (D-Opelika) and NCUA Board Member Rodney Hood.
“Advocacy ensures that our affiliated credit unions have a seat at the legislative table for all three of our states. The League is responsible for making sure credit unions are protected and their concerns are shared with decision-makers. For the Alabama Advocacy Conference, we wanted our credit unions to have the chance to hear from lawmakers and industry experts directly and have the opportunity to ask questions. There’s so much happening in any given week, communication is key,” explains LSCU President Jared Ross. “It was a great virtual event and we thank everyone for joining us, our speakers and our attendees.”
Also, during the call, attendees received a bird’s eye view on Alabama politics from reporter Todd Stacy with Alabama Daily News and participated in a Regulatory Roundtable with ACUA Administrator Greg McClellan and NCUA Supervisory Examiner for the Southern Region, Tim O’Quinn.
LSCU President Ross asked NCUA Board Member Hood about his thoughts on recent headlines related to a credit union’s purchase of a bank. Board Member Hood said it’s important to remember that these deals are two-party deals with a lot of oversight and vetting. “At the end of the day, these are legal transactions” that ultimately benefit the communities around the bricks-and-mortar locations for the former banks, Board Member Hood explained.
The final event for the Alabama Advocacy Team will happen this evening and you can still attend! The Legislative Reception is this evening, starting at 5:30 p.m. CT. ASE Credit Union, located at 800 Washington Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36104. All are welcomed and encouraged to attend. The cost to attend the Legislative Reception is $59. (While registering, select the “Legislative Reception Only” option.)
