In a recent article published in CU Times, David Baumann writes of a conversation he had with a credit union lobbyist who works for one of the national credit union trade organizations. In response to a question as to why credit unions have not had any face time with President Trump, the lobbyist responded, “I am not concerned about access to this administration.” When asked if his association has sought a meeting with the President, he responded, “We’ve had a lot of contact with the administration during the last several months. I’m going to leave it at that.” Translated one may take that to mean they have not returned our calls.
Remember now, this was an executive of a national trade organization discounting the importance of sitting down with the President of the United States to discuss the issues that face credit unions and the millions of individuals who belong to those financial institutions.
These comments came after banking associations and their members have already enjoyed two face to face meetings with the individual who not only appoints credit union regulators but also sets the agenda they are to follow in the financial regulatory arena. The bankers have had their opportunity to visit the Rose Garden, shake hands with the President, have their pictures taken and are now able to say “we have access.”
There is nothing better than face time. In today’s social media environment too much personal interaction is by computer or cell phone. You can work with or for someone and never actually see what they look like. Recognizing this, our technological leaders made it possible for us to Skype with someone on our computers or FaceTime with them on our phones. They realized it was important to look someone in the eye, see their reaction and get up close and personal without actually being in the same room. The only thing better is a real life, face to face sit down.
I was pleased to see that the “we don’t need to see the President attitude” was not expressed by the CEO of the lobbyists’ association. And I would hope he understands the importance of access to the administration and meeting with the person at the top. It might however be a good idea to tell his employee that access is everything. That is something every true lobbyist understands.
A person being paid to advocate for credit unions and secure access for them at every level of government should not be publicly making statements on their inability to do so.
Michael Fryzel is a Chicago-based attorney and former chairman of the NCUA board. He can be reached at meflaw@aol.com.
