Washington, DC – Visions Federal Credit Union’s President/CEO Ty Muse joined credit union industry leaders and representatives of the African-American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC) during the African American Credit Union Hall of Fame event at the Governmental Affairs Conference in Washington, DC, where they were thrilled to announce the creation of the AACUC’s Future Fund. Visions is one of nine initial investors in the new Future Fund and Muse is proud to serve as the founding Chairperson for the initiative.

“I want to acknowledge my heroes Bill Cheney and Ty Muse for serving as the Honorary Chair and Chair, respectively, of the AACUC Future Fund,” said Renée Sattiewhite, AACUC President/CEO. “This could not have been possible without the members and key advisors for the Future Fund Committee.”

The Future Fund is designed to propel the AACUC into a future of sustained impact and influence, especially in communities typically underserved in banking and finance, and is predicated on three consequential pillars:

• Internships and leadership development, by building a succession pipeline for the credit union system, while securing the legacy of mentorship and professional development which AACUC has established.
• Small credit union sustainability, by ensuring the viability and vibrancy of the credit unions that are at greatest risk of mergers, acquisition, and member attrition.
• Wealth building and community impact programs, by supporting credit unions to establish and sustain initiatives that improve financial access, inclusion, and well-being for communities of color.

As a bold, transformative funding source, the Future Fund is intended to ensure AACUC’s long-term strength and sustainability regardless of industry trends, economic downturns, and socio-political headwinds.

“The important work being done by AACUC and the sustaining presence of the Future Fund will be lifechanging for people of all backgrounds and races,” said Muse. “Together, we’re supporting small and large credit unions throughout the country and ensuring financial access for millions of underserved and low-income communities.”

More information about the Future Fund and ways to pledge support can be found at www.aacuc.org/future-fund.

About the AACUC Future Fund
The AACUC Future Fund is a transformative funding source created to ensure the long-term strength and sustainability of the AACUC regardless of industry trends, economic downturns and socio-political headwinds. The Future Fund helps support and expand crucial programming that addresses the racial wealth gap, preserves small credit unions, lifts up low-income communities and spreads financial access and inclusion to the underserved. The Future Fund also creates an operating reserve that will ensure the continued reach of AACUC across the credit union movement for the foreseeable future. Learn more at: www.AACUCImpact.org or FutureFund@aacuc.org.

About the African-American Credit Union Coalition
The AACUC is a 501c3 non-profit organization created in 1999 to increase diversity within the credit union community through advocacy and professional development. A recipient of the 2022 Anchor Award from the National Credit Union Foundation for its leadership and global efforts unifying financial industries in eradicating racism amid the COVID-19 pandemic and social unrest in 2020, AACUC has become an all-encompassing organization for executives, professionals, volunteers, consultants and regulators within the financial services industry. AACUC is considered a leader in the credit union movement, adopting the 8th Cooperative Principle (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) and enabling credit unions to become more diverse and inclusive. Learn more at www.aacuc.org.

About Visions Federal Credit Union
Visions Federal Credit Union is a not for profit financial institution completely owned by its members. Established in 1966, Visions proudly serves over 250,000 members in communities throughout New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Services include banking as well as auto, home, personal, and business loans. Visit www.visionsfcu.org for more information. Federally insured by NCUA. Equal Housing Lender.

Original article available here.