"Standing on the shoulders of giants" is a favorite quote of Rudy Hanley (soon-to-retire CEO of SchoolsFirst FCU and former National Credit Union Foundation board member). He uses it often and always says it with the utmost humility and awe at the good works of others. This despite the fact that Mr. Hanley is a giant in his own right for his accomplishments on behalf of his members and the credit union movement.

Think about the visual for a moment. Imagine the vista you would see standing on the shoulders of giants. I think a lot about what that vista looks like in the context of improving people's financial well-being. I also ponder what Mr. Hanley would see and I surmise that it might look a lot like the vision of the NCUF – a vision to make financial freedom achievable through credit unions.

A vision where people have control over their financial decisions and money now and in the future; where people have the ability to plan and to anticipate what's coming; and where people have options (e.g., they can save for retirement, send their kids to college and go on a restful vacation).