Careful What You Wish For . You Just Might Get It!

I am a true fan of Mike Welch’s Publisher’s Column and agree with most of his opinions (some are a bit out there . but I get where he’s going!). Welch is a needed and welcomed voice that stirs the passion I believe we all have for credit unions on both sides of the isle. And while I agree with much of his July 30th column, “Time Has Come to Sue the ABA”, and believe that enough is enough when discussing the ABA and their incredulous actions towards and against credit unions, I can’t help but wonder if the credit union “Giant” could be sufficiently awakened to battle the full resources of the banking industry. Answering this particular call to action, if we ever do, must be done with eyes wide open because a fight like this is going to take everyone’s support to get the win! To date, the truly “Giant Size” banks have remained on the sidelines while the ABA and the smaller community banks (except perhaps in Utah) duke it out with the credit union industry, the courts, and with government. And the manner in which we’ve fought these fights so far has produced wins in virtually every instance. What happens if we change our tactics and stir what truly is a “Giant” in the mega banks. The Credit Union “Giant” would merely look like a flea on the south end of a northbound moose! So, while tiring, what would motivate the industry at this point in time to move away from our current modus operendi (save shear exhaustion)? Have we exhausted every avenue before we load the litigation bullet into our gun? Again, if we do go the route of a lawsuit, we better all be in. Credit unions large and small, Leagues, NAFCU, NASCUS, NCUA, and any other acronym that fits here, and we better be prepared to anti up, go all the way, and wrestle in the mud with a “giant” that appears to enjoy the trough. Otherwise, I fear that this particular battle may bloody the industry beyond repair. It’s the old fortune cookie proverb: be careful for what you wish for, you just might get it! Ed Fox President/CEO Southland Credit Union Los Alamitos, Calif.