The Credit Union Association of the Dakotas (CUAD) and the Pennsylvania Credit Union Association (PCUA) carried the torch for the final leg of this year’s Hike the Hill season last week. The Dakotas league visit, which included the attendance of 14 members and credit union leaders, featured discussion of regulatory burden, overdraft protection, cybersecurity and the examination process, among other subjects.  The PCUA delegation met with 15 lawmakers and held a reception at Credit Union House with Jim Nussle, CUNA president/CEO.

Overall this year the leagues posted some impressive Hike the Hill numbers, with:

• 29 hikes;
  
  
• 39 states represented;
  
  
• 264 meetings with U.S. senators and representatives;
  
  
• 33 meetings with the regulatory agencies, including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the National Credit Union Administration; and
  
  
• Nearly 500 total attendees.

Furthermore, the leagues held a number of special events this year:

• The Cornerstone Credit Union League hosted an FBI agent to discuss cybersecurity;
  
  
• The Idaho Credit Union League held a guided tour of the Supreme Court and attended a presentation by the National Association of State Credit Union Supervisors;
  
  
• The Michigan Credit Union League received an update from House Financial Services Committee staff; and
  
  
• The Ohio Credit Union League held a forum with Richard Cordray, CFPB director, organized a fundraiser at Credit Union House, and took part in a tour of the Capitol that included a visit to the Speaker’s Balcony. 

We can’t overstate the importance of the Hike the Hill program in our 360-degree approach to advocacy. More than just lobbying, Congress listens first and foremost to constituents, and a personal visit by a constituent with a lawmaker is among the most powerful advocacy tools in our toolbox.  We are very grateful that so many credit union leaders took the time and expense to represent their members’ interests as part of Hike the Hill.