ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.-NCUA held a successful Access Across America Economic Empowerment Summit recently with officials from several agencies addressing the credit union gathering. Small Business Administration Deputy Administrator Melanie Sabelhaus delivered the keynote address at the Summit on Sept. 13 in Albuquerque, N.M. "Melanie is an outstanding leader in America's small business world and possesses a proven track record as a successful entrepreneur," NCUA Chairman JoAnn Johnson said. "We are pleased to continue our solid relationship with our SBA partners. Together, we are focused on enhancing the opportunity for credit union members to have a financial partner they can count on as their small businesses flourish and create more jobs." Treasury's Sandra Pedroarias, director of outreach for the Office of Financial Education, also served as a panelist for NCUA's Summit. During the panel discussion, Pedroarias described Treasury's efforts to improve financial literacy across the country and discussed federal financial education resources available to credit unions. She also addressed how credit unions can tailor their financial education programs to better serve their members. "Credit unions have long been known for offering consumer oriented financial services, and financial education can be one of the most valuable services they offer their members," Pedroarias said. "On behalf of the Department of the Treasury, I want to commend the National Credit Union Administration for hosting these Access Across America Summits because they help draw attention to America's need for financial education and the essential role that financial institutions can play." Both Chairman Johnson and NCUA Board Member Debbie Matz addressed the group, as well as Community Development Financial Institutions Director Art Garcia. Other agencies that participated in the event included the Departments of Agriculture and Housing and Urban Development, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Export-Import Bank of the United States, and the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation. Member business lending, homeownership, and financial education were the main focuses of panel discussions at the Summit. The main objective of the event was to show credit unions various tools, resources, technical assistance, and economic development opportunities out there through partnerships with federal agencies. [email protected]