WASHINGTON, D.C. — America’s Credit Unions has launched “Once Upon an American Dream,” which it is describing as a national policymaker influence campaign targeting federal policymakers with a sustained message on the economic role credit unions play in American communities.
The campaign is running across connected television, online video, LinkedIn, programmatic display and audio, podcast sponsorships, and direct buys aimed at key Congressional members and staff, executive branch and regulatory targets.
America’s Credit Unions said the campaign focuses on several themes that demonstrate the power of credit unions, including:
- The credit union movement’s historic credibility, highlighting that today’s 4,374 credit unions have served members since 1909, contributing more than $352 billion annually to the U.S. economy and supporting 1.3 million jobs.
- The transformational stories behind that economic impact, featuring real members whose credit unions helped them buy homes, start businesses, and build stability.
- The stakes of protecting the credit union model, underscoring that the largest 100 banks already control 75 percent of all depository assets, up from 41 percent in 1992, and that policies weakening credit unions accelerate a consolidation already leaving communities behind.
‘Steadying American Families’
“Credit unions have been steadying American families and communities through every period of crisis and growth for more than a century,” said Scott Simpson, President and CEO of America’s Credit Unions. “This campaign underscores that strong advocacy is essential to advancing the credit union mission, ensuring policymakers fully grasp what becomes possible when credit unions thrive, and what communities stand to lose when they don’t.”
DCUC Campaign Thanks Senator
Separately, the Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC), through its Defending Credit Unions National Advocacy Fund, has launched a targeted digital advertising campaign thanking Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) for his “continued support of policies that protect consumer access to affordable credit.”
Running from June 26 through July 12, the campaign will appear across popular digital platforms and websites throughout Nebraska, DCUC said, and direct viewers to GuardYourCard.com, where consumers can learn more about legislative proposals that threaten credit card access and the importance of preserving a competitive payments marketplace.
DCUC said the campaign recognizes Senator Ricketts’ leadership in opposing government-imposed credit card price controls that could reduce access to credit, weaken fraud protections, diminish consumer rewards, and place additional financial strain on working families, including military households.
‘Drastic Controls Have Consequences’
“If access to traditional credit products is reduced, many consumers, including the men and women in uniform, could be forced to rely on higher-cost alternatives, such as payday and predatory lenders,” DCUC President/CEO Anthony Hernandez said in a statement. “”We appreciate Senator Ricketts’ recognition that drastic price controls on the payments system would have real consequences for consumers, especially military families.”
Added Jason Stverak, DCUC chief advocacy officer, in a statement, “We thank Senator Ricketts’ for his continued leadership in supporting policies that protect consumers and preserve a strong, reliable financial system.”
