As credit unions around the world gear up to commemorate the 32nd annual International Credit Union Day, there just happens to be kind of a lot going on that might overshadow the yearly ode to the credit union difference.
First, there's what continues to be one of the most bizarre and disturbing presidential races in history. Then there's the news gift that keeps on giving: the Wells Fargo fraudulent account scandal that seems to generate at least one new headline every single day.
And let's not forget the federal appeals court ruling that the much-maligned (by credit unions and banks, anyway) Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's structure is unconstitutional — or the fact that the aforementioned, much-maligned CFPB managed to slap a $28-million fine on the much-beloved Navy Federal Credit Union.
For that matter, in a world where every day, week and month seems to have some sort of special commemoration going on, it is easy to understand why most folks don't even know about ICU Day. After all, look at some of the other big days being held right around the same time: World Standards Day, Oct. 14; Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, Oct. 15 (which must fight with Global Handwashing Day on the very same date—one hopes most people "celebrate" by washing their hands every day, rather than simply doing it repeatedly on that one day, but I digress); World Food Day, Oct. 16; International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, Oct. 17; Mole Day (that's the unit of substance in chemistry, not the furry mammal or the thing on the end of your old auntie's nose), Oct. 23; United Nations Day, Oct. 24. It may be worth noting that the Wikipedia list I used for this does not mention International Credit Union Day, but at least it doesn't list something else for Oct. 20, so there's that.
Not to mention the sea of pink throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month—and the 23 other things that October serves as the big awareness month for, which includes everything from cybersecurity and dental hygiene to bullying prevention and pizza (yes, pizza).
Fortunately, much like pizza, credit unions are well worth celebrating every single day of the year. Unfortunately, unlike pizza, credit unions are much more in need of awareness-raising efforts.
Editor in Chief Lisa Freeman can be reached at
