Headline:  Member Call To Action From Consumers Credit Union President Sean Rathjen

Dear !*FIRST_NAME*!,

Consumers Credit Union needs your help with important legislation pending in Congress that impacts you and credit union Members across the country.  The two bills – one in the Senate (S. 575), the other in the House of Representatives (H.R. 1081) would delay the implementation of changes to rates merchants pay for accepting Debit Card transactions.

Why is this legislation important to you?  Here are the top three reasons.

Unless delayed (or eliminated), the proposed changes will . . .

ü            Jeopardize the ability of credit unions and other financial institutions to continue offering free checking and debit cards, as well as CCU’s Rewards Checking product

ü            Lead to increased fees for credit union Members and bank customers.

ü            Negatively impact the ability of credit unions like CCU to continue supporting the borrowing needs of our Members.

Interestingly, the original legislation was designed to protect credit union Members.  Unfortunately, that legislation did not include the controls necessary to assure your protection – an opinion supported by credit union industry leaders, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke . . . even community bankers!

How can you help?

Credit union Members can help by supporting S. 575 and H.R. 1081.  We’ve made it extremely easy for you to e-mail, write a letter or call your Senators and Congressman.  Here’s how . . .

By e-mail

·         Click HERE to go to the Credit Union National Association’s “Grassroots Action Center.”

·         If this is your first visit to this website, you can enter your zip code so your message is directed to the Senators and Congressman representing you.

·         Next, you’ll see pictures of your two Senators and Congressman (as well as President Obama).  Click “e-mail” for either or your Senators or your Congressman, and you have the option to select H.R. 1081 for Congressman and S. 575 for Senators

·         The Grassroots Action Center then offers suggested language for your message, and whether you’d like to send by e-mail or regular mail.

By phone

·         Call toll free – 877.422.3525 – and follow the voice prompts.

·         You’ll be connected directly to the office of your Congressman or Senator, where you can make sure your voice is heard.

·         If you elect to call, we suggest using the Ö items listed above as your reasons for supporting S. 575 and H.R. 1081.

As the President of CCU, I strongly urge you to help us with this important cause.  If the proposed legislation fails, credit union Members and consumers throughout our country will lose.

If you have questions about why this action is so important to you, please feel free to call me at 847.782.4670.  I welcome your call.

Credit union Members working together for a common cause.  It’s what we need.  It’s what we do.

Thank you for your help.

Sincerely,
Sean M. Rathjen, President