'Banker' makes CU point on Capitol Hill

Click for slide show "The Credit Union Regulatory Improvements Act helps the little guy," exclaimed the banker. "You know, if we keep helping him, he'll get big one day. Then what is America gonna do with all those fat cats?!" (CLICK TO VIEW SLIDESHOW)
WASHINGTON (8/1/07)--As Congress goes into its final week before the summer recess, the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) performed street theater outside the Capitol Hill office buildings as part of its effort to draw attention to the Credit Union Regulatory Improvements Act (CURIA, H.R. 1537).

CUNA Tuesday morning presented actor Wes Johnson as a "banker" on Capitol Hill. He took a satirical look at banker complaints about credit unions. He appeared at the Capitol South Metro stop in front of a "false front" of a bank. Johnson presented banker "complaints" about credit unions for about two hours.

In doing so, the "banker" loudly grumbled about how credit unions are trying to take away market share from banks--another reason why--in his humble opinion--CURIA should be opposed.

While the "banker" was complaining, other credit union advocates stood by to hand out lollipops affixed to cards which read: "Don't be Suckered: Please ignore our banker friend." Passersby were reminded to help credit unions "look out for the little guy."

The YouTube video is segments from Tuesday's presentation.

CUNA is also sending a number of editorial cartoons to congressional offices this week, aimed at poking fun at bankers' complaints about credit unions and CURIA.

"Our goal remains to 'Change the Conversation' on Capitol Hill--from what bankers want to talk about, to what credit unions want to talk about," said Pat Keefe, CUNA vice president of communications and media outreach.

"Our approach is to use non-traditional means for reaching that goal, to cut through the clutter with different approaches for our message."

Wednesday's edition of Roll Call, a newspaper covering Capitol Hill, carried a photograph and caption from a faux press conference also conducted Tuesday by the banker. Another photo also appears on the multi-media section of its website.

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Resource Links
Look Out for the Little Guy website (for Capitol Hill staff)
CUNA’s “Change the Conversation” program
Photographic slideshow of Tuesday's event
YouTube video segment of Tuesday’s event
More CU-related videos


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