ABA: Just Thinking About Our Members

WASHINGTON–The American Bankers Association sounds almost credit union-like in explaining why it excludes credit unions from its meetings: the trade group just wants to serve its members. “This was at the request of our members,” ABA Spokesperson John Hall told the CU Journal. “Some community bankers were uncomfortable that their trade association was educating a group of competitors that already has an unfair advantage. That's not what their dues dollars should be paying for.” The Journal contacted the ABA about the “exclusion policy” after NAFCU put out a statement chastising the ABA for the policy and calling for more openness among the financial service providers and the groups that serve them (CUJ Daily Briefing, July 17). In response, Hall said, “We’re flattered that they see the value in our educational offerings.”