A delegation of credit union advocates met with Congressman Jeff Fortenberry of Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District in early September. In past visits with our Congressional Delegation, handshaking and standing room only were the norm. This meeting was much different with a targeted number of attendees, ample distance between one another, and no handshaking. “It felt strange not starting with a handshake but that practice may be something of the past,” said League chief advocacy officer Brandon Luetkenhaus.
Credit union advocates updated Congressman Fortenberry on the many ways in which their credit union is helping members who have faced job furloughs, loss of wages, and community shutdowns. Credit unions across Nebraska have offered skip payments, short term low or no interest loans, small business or Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, and reduced or eliminated fees on late payments during the economic shutdown. “Credit unions are essential in every community in which they reside and Congressman Fortenberry knows well the value that they provide to the members of those communities” said League President/CEO Scott Sullivan.
The advocates discussed the adjustments that their credit unions, staffs and members had to make over the past six months to ensure that everyone’s health is protected and that essential services to members remained uninterrupted. “Although many parts of the economy were forced to shut down, it was critical that credit unions remain open, albeit with some safety precautions, so that their members could access critical financial resources and services” said Sullivan. They updated Congressman Fortenberry on how their credit union is doing today and what they are hearing from their members as communities re-open.
