PCUA Celebrates its 71st Anniversary

HARRISBURG, Pa. – The Pennsylvania Credit Union Association turned 71 on Dec. 8. PCUA was officially organized as the Pennsylvania Credit Union League in 1934. At the time, there were 41 original affiliated CUs. The Pennsylvania Credit Union League changed its name to the Pennsylvania Credit Union Association in the Spring 2004. PCUA Senior Vice President of Communications and Marketing Mike Wishnow said the “high point” for PCUA in terms of membership was in the early 1980s when more than 1,700 CUs were members. Since then Pennsylvania has seen the loss of many credit unions due to consolidations and mergers, he said. There are currently 555 credit unions in Pennsylvania affiliated with the PCUA. In other news, PCUA’s political action committee reached $100,000 for the first time. The new figure includes contributions and fundraising for PCUA’s federal PAC – CUPAC -and the state PAC – PACULAC. Prior to this, the highest level reached was approximately $90,000. “The association has made PAC fundraising a higher priority this year. Some of the challenges we’ve been facing from banker attacks both nationally and locally have resonated with our members, and they recognize the importance and need for PAC fundraising,” said Wishnow.