Cornerstone Advocates for Credit Unions in Washington

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Cornerstone continues to champion credit unions by facilitating key meetings with lawmakers to ensure their value is recognized at the highest levels. Last week, Missouri Credit Union Association Executive Director Ray Bozarth and Riverways Credit Union CEO Scott Shults traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with Ways & Means Chairman Jason Smith (R-Missouri, District 8) in his Capitol office. They were joined by staff from America’s Credit Unions to discuss the critical role credit unions play in local communities. 

For Shults, this meeting was more than just a policy discussion; it was a conversation with an old friend. Both Shults and Smith hail from Salem, Missouri, and share a deep understanding of their community’s financial needs. Their primary objective? Emphasizing why credit unions’ tax-exempt status must remain intact. The group outlined the significant benefits credit unions provide to Smith’s 121,000 constituents and the potential consequences if this exemption were removed. 

Smith, who served on a credit union board while attending the University of Missouri, was already well-versed in the credit union difference. However, this meeting reinforced the tangible ways credit unions empower individuals, families, and small businesses across Missouri and beyond. 

By fostering these critical conversations, Cornerstone ensures that credit unions’ voices are heard, their impact is recognized, and their mission remains strong for future generations.