By Tony Hernandez
As we enter the holiday season – with its focus on gratitude, kindness, and shared purpose – I’m struck by how these timeless values echo the founding principles of our credit union movement.
Even in America’s darkest hours, leaders like President Lincoln reminded us that “Unity is forged not by ease, but by shared purpose.” Those words ring true for us today. In credit unions, “people helping people” isn’t a slogan—it is a moral commitment rooted in our very DNA.
From the very beginning, credit unions were born of cooperation and mutual aid. Our movement literally “began as individuals working together,” and to this day it “relies on cooperation at every level.” That spirit of banding together to uplift each other built the thriving credit union community we know.
Internal Frictions
It’s as critical now as it was in the beginning. Yet, even as we celebrate togetherness this time of year, we face internal frictions that threaten to pull us apart.
Today, we see signs of growing fragmentation in our industry – whether between institutions of different charters, of different asset sizes, or among various associations. True collaboration cannot be one-sided; it must be a two-way street. Unity isn’t something one group can impose or take for granted – it demands effort and goodwill from all parties. In practice, that means every stakeholder – from the largest national bodies to the smallest community credit unions – must be willing to both lead and listen.
We all share the responsibility to reach across divides, engage in honest dialogue, and remember our larger common mission.
Commitment to Unity
At the Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC), we share a commitment to unity. Our council may have its roots in serving the defense community, but our mission today extends to advancing the interests of all credit unions. We have always been willing to put the movement first – and we’ll partner with any ally who shares our mission of lifting up credit unions and their members.
In fact, DCUC has pledged to “strengthen the collaborative spirit across our industry” and to build on “our shared ideals” alongside all our members and partners. Simply put, we stand ready to work hand-in-hand with any credit union, league, or trade group that’s focused on advancing the credit union cause.
Tear Down the Silos
Ultimately, we must tear down any remaining silos within our credit union family. Cooperation must cross all boundaries: federal or state charter, large or small institution, military or community focus – we are one movement. We should imagine an industry where no credit union—“regardless of size or charter”—ever feels left behind or voiceless.
That kind of inclusivity isn’t just a feel-good ideal; it’s the source of our collective strength. If we allow divisions to fester, we undermine that strength and hand our opponents the advantage they’ve been waiting for.
For instance, if we ever woke up to find only a handful of mega–credit unions remaining, “the rationale for our tax benefits” would quickly “erode under billion-dollar balance sheets.” In other words, losing parts of our coalition – or failing to support the smaller and mid-sized institutions among us – doesn’t just harm those credit unions; it “undermines the movement’s legitimacy.” We cannot afford that. Division in our ranks is a gift to those who would love to see our cooperative model weakened.
Making & Taking a Pledge
In this season of gratitude, DCUC is making a pledge – and I invite you to join us in it. We will lead by example, championing a culture of unity, mutual respect, and effective advocacy for all credit unions. We will continue to put mission over ego, partnership over pride, and the greater good over any turf or title. And we will gladly work with every partner who shares our vision of advancing the credit union cause.
My promise to you is that DCUC will do everything in its power to support cooperation across the entire credit union family, from the smallest branch to the largest institution. But we cannot do it alone. Let’s all commit to walking this two-way street together.
By standing united – especially now, when it matters most – we will honor the spirit of the season and the founding ideals of our movement. Together, as one cooperative community, we will ensure that our credit union movement not only survives, but thrives for generations to come.
Time for a Rededication
Together, let’s rededicate ourselves to the cooperative values that built our past and to the teamwork that will secure our future. The credit union movement’s greatest gift has always been each other – let’s treasure that gift, protect it, and help it grow.
Happy Holidays, and in the spirit of the season, thank you for your partnership. Here’s to a new year of unity in action for our credit union family.
Tony Hernandez is president and CEO of the Defense Credit Union Council.
