Missouri Credit Union Day at the Capitol Highlights the Power of Advocacy

By Nermina Ibisevic, branch manager & business development officer, First Missouri Credit Union

Advocacy matters because it helps ensure the cooperative, member-focused mission of credit unions can thrive in today’s policy environment. Credit unions exist to serve people, not to maximize profit—returning value to members through better rates, lower fees, and community-focused services. But lawmakers don’t automatically know that. They need to hear it directly from the people and institutions doing the work.

That’s why events like the 2026 Missouri Credit Union Day at the Capitol in Jefferson City are important. They give credit union leaders the opportunity to brief legislators on key issues, explain how proposed laws may help or hinder credit unions’ ability to serve, and educate newly elected officials about the role credit unions play in communities across the state.

When leaders say the movement must “keep telling our story,” it means sharing real-life impact—how credit unions support families, small businesses, and underserved communities through flexible lending, financial education, and strong community partnerships. As Cornerstone League President/CEO Caroline Willard has emphasized, “We need to tell our story. We need to talk about the new powers we’re looking for—ways legislators can make it easier for credit unions to serve their communities.”

Advocacy is not about special treatment; it is about ensuring policymakers understand how modernized authorities and thoughtful legislation can expand access to affordable financial services and strengthen the credit union difference.