PORTLAND, Ore.–The governor of Oregon had positive words for credit unions in remarks to the GoWest Credit Union Association’s MAXX Conference.
Gov. Tina Kotek, who took several minutes to defend the city of Portland from attacks by President Trump (see separate story), noted she refinanced her own home through a credit union and said she has worked with OnPoint Community Credit Union on housing-related issues.
Kotek, who said she got her first credit card through her father’s credit union in York, Pa., told the MAXX meeting, “What I love about credit unions and I’ve loved about credit unions all the way through my time in the legislature is that you really are so community-focused and community-driven. It’s in your mission, but it’s also what you do every single day.”
Kotek said she has been with credit unions year after year and that CUs have made “Oregon a stronger and better and more prosperous place. So, I thank you for everything you’re doing.”
Kotek noted she worked with the state’s credit unions while she was in the legislature to distribute $500 checks to the state’s citizens during the pandemic.
On the Front Line
“I was on the front line at the OnPoint Community CU office in north Portland standing with those folks who needed to get that help,” Kotek said. “We didn’t know if anyone was going to get resources. Credit unions will always be special for me because they came and stepped up in a very, very big way.”
Kotek further praised credit unions for helping average individuals and regular folks “just get ahead in the world.”
