Ima Nutt

As a CEO I am ashamed of my colleagues and their intolerance. It is obvious they do not understand the difficulties that these folks face. Ima, you may think your comment is clever, but it is actually hurtful and mean spirited. As far as having purpose specific loans, I have never seen complaints about a Christmas loan, immigration loan, vacation loan, etc.

Erick Orellana

Wright-Patt Controversy: Boards Control Account Refusal

Do those 63% [who would refuse an account on moral grounds] scour the news for DUIs, child molesters, sex offenders, etc., before opening an account? Yet we turn right around and consider how we can serve the marijuana industry. How high (no pun intended) does the body count have to go before that is shut down? And, for those who like that business, what steps does your CU take to ensure there is no underage selling, or funds shunted off to a cartel for purchase?

The federal rules are pretty straightforward. Talk about bad publicity!

Gregg Stockdale, President/CEO

1st Valley Credit Union

San Bernardino, Calif.

Transgender, Marijuana Markets Fulfill Credit Union Purpose

Good comments, Heather, but I believe you missed my point. You misinterpreted my comment, "If someone needs a loan then we just make the loan." You go on to say that banks won't make these loans. I am not speaking about banks, I am talking about credit unions where I have worked for many years. We are a CDFI and we also offer payday-type loans to individuals who have poor credit and don't ask what the money is for. We also offer auto loans to those with poor credit. Just because we don't call it a gender affirming loan doesn't mean we don't make the loans.

I have not been able to find facts that substantiate that the 0.3% of the population that is considered transgender has a lower average credit score than the population as a whole. So to single out this small percentage and market to them may not necessarily be that great of an idea. It makes for headlines, but so what.

I also take exception to the statement that my comments are "snarky and bigoted."

I did not want to make this political, but you seem to have done that for me. Those appear to be words that are used by certain groups when they are speaking to others whom they may not agree with.

Harlie2

Thank you for clarifying, I really appreciate the feedback and apologize that you felt my column targeted you in particular. Your comment was not the only one we received on that story and this issue, which we have covered before and I've addressed before in my column.

Filene recently published research that shows the LGBTQ community does, in fact, face considerable credit hurdles compared to the general population.

Heather Anderson

CU Times Executive Editor

This article came across as belittling toward those who don't agree with serving the marijuana industry's financial needs. It says, "Whenever we publish a story about credit unions serving the marijuana industry, we receive comments from readers who react as if it's 1936 and they just watched Reefer Madness. Those who oppose legal marijuana, like those who discriminate against the transgender community, are on the wrong side of history." Credit unions have always served member needs and looked out for their best interests. Supporting marijuana suppliers, which encourages usage and ruins many lives for those who abuse the drug, does not fulfill that mission.

Kyle1