John Demmler

As we get set over the next few years to not only celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States as a nation but also the 225th anniversary of Ohio, and the 100th anniversary of the credit union movement in this country, there is a lot of history to celebrate and reflect upon.

And it is difficult to separate the history of our country and our state from the history of credit unions.

Ohio was instrumental in the founding and spread of the credit union movement in the United States. Pioneer Louise McCarren Herring, an Ohio native, was known as the “Mother of Credit Unions” for organizing more than 500 credit unions in Ohio and across the Midwest.

Ever since the movement began in 1934, Ohio has been at the forefront of credit union growth and success.

And as that growth, innovation, and financial success continue today, Ohioans are finding that credit union success is Ohio’s success.

However, following a recent decision by Hicksville Bank to sell its assets to Interra Credit Union, the Bank Lobby in Columbus has launched attacks on Ohio credit unions to use that success against credit unions, claiming that credit unions have outgrown their original mission.

Despite these tired and played-out attacks, Ohioans and their elected officials know that when credit unions grow, that means more Ohioans, businesses and communities can benefit from the community-based financial services that make credit unions unique.

For example, the University of Dayton just announced a partnership with Wright-Patt Credit Union to provide financial literacy and set student-athletes up for future financial success. 7 17 Credit Union is working to tackle the affordable housing crisis by providing a no-fee first mortgage to local residents. Atomic Credit Union has started more than 100 student-run credit union branches in schools across Ohio to teach students about managing their money from a young age.

As member-owned, not-for-profit financial institutions, credit unions can invest in their members and local communities rather than worrying about padding the bottom lines of corporate shareholders that may or may not even live in Ohio.

These are just a few ways that credit unions are making a meaningful difference for your constituents and in communities across our great state, a state that is pro-business, pro-jobs, and pro-growth. And for those who try to argue that credit union growth is a bad thing, that’s the kind of forward momentum for Ohio that they are working to constrain.

Ohio credit unions are proud of our success. We won’t apologize for it, and we won’t hide from it. We’ll continue working to provide community-based financial services to our 3.3 million current members and as many more Ohioans as we can.

John Demmler is president/CEO of 7 17 Credit Union.