2018 Advocacy Nominee - Bellwether Community Credit Union

Bellwether Community Credit Union
2018 Advocacy Honoree

Bellwether Community Credit Union’s commitment to Credit Union advocacy comes directly from the vision and dedication of our leader Michael L’Ecuyer. Mike’s effort in advocating for credit unions is significant.  He is a 13 year member of the New Hampshire Credit Union League Political Action Committee and Chairman of the New Hampshire Federal and State Legislative Activities Fund Raising Committee.  He regularly attends regulatory roundtables, CUNA’s Governmental Affairs Conference, Hike-the Hill, and regularly meets with our regulators to be sure the voice of credit unions are heard.

Bellwether truly believes that the credit union philosophy of people helping people is rooted in stories.  It’s how we tell the credit union difference to our lawmakers on Capitol Hill or describe the Credit Union difference to a prospective member.  Mike recognized America’s Credit Union Museum as the steward of credit union stories (our collective history) and the importance behind funding a physical and digital Credit Union Industry Research Library.  Mike also recognized that the Credit Union Industry had plenty of capability to fund the Museum’s Legacy Campaign, but needed to be focused on doing so in order to capture the many stories of people helping people before these stories and the power behind them were lost.  Mike demonstrated amazing leadership in creating a vision for the Museum and leading a $3.3 million capital campaign designed to help preserve the stories of credit union people helping everyday Americans secure a better financial future. In June 2018, the CUNA Research Center opened its doors, with credit union leaders from all over the country in attendance due to Mike’s vision, passion, leadership and commitment to preserving stories of credit unions’ principles and values.

Mike has been a strong proponent for credit unions as a fervent partner with both the Cooperative Credit Union Association and NH Credit Union League in credit union advocacy efforts.  He has served as a long-term director and chair of the NH Credit Union League. He was a strong proponent of merging the NH, MA and RI Leagues for efficiency and a stronger voice, and served on the tri-state merger committee to merge the leagues into the Cooperative Credit Union Association. 

Mike has served as a strong collaborator with the Association in representing credit unions’ interest in both Concord, NH and in Washington, DC.   He knows and is respected by New Hampshire’s elected officials.  He stays current with issues significant to credit unions and often presents credit union positions on issues to elected officials with effectiveness and persuasion. 

He has also advanced credit union issues as a member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston’s Community Depository Institution Advisory Council; Chair of New England Automated Clearing House (NEACH); Member of the Federal Home Loan Bank Advisory Board, and as member of CUNA’s Cooperative Alliance Committee and as a Director of Credit Union National Association, Director representing Region I. 

Bellwether is proud to have such a strong advocate for credit unions as our leader.