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NAFCU President and CEO Dan Berger said credit unions are still the best deal for consumers despite any current or future challenges and encouraged them to hone in on a vision and strategy for the years ahead during live opening remarks Wednesday at NAFCU's 51st Annual Conference and Solutions Expo in Seattle.

Berger encouraged credit unions to focus on a few things "right now:"

• Vision;
• Strategy;
• Execution; and
• Innovation.

"These are what the most successful companies concentrate on, and what credit unions must do to continue to grow," he told the conference attendees. Berger cited examples of invention and ingenuity from the conference's host city of Seattle – such as its entrepreneurship spirit and customer-first mentality by companies like Amazon and Starbucks – and explained that credit unions "embody many of the same secrets."

"We're still the best deal for consumers," Berger said. "We provide the best rates on savings, loans, credit cards and mortgages. We have the lowest banking fees and are consistently rated higher than banks and fintech for customer service."

Berger also talked about NAFCU, saying that the association's every-day focus is on helping credit unions grow. "Extreme member service is something we pride ourselves on," Berger said. "Today, we provide the best federal advocacy, education and compliance assistance in the industry. That’s the core of who we are. That’s our vision, and our promise to you."

As far as the challenges ahead, Berger said that if the industry stays committed to clear vision, strategy, execution, and innovation, it will prove to competitors and disruptors that "credit unions are still the best choice for consumers."

Berger concluded by telling attendees:

• "You have what it takes to compete.
• You know how to withstand change.
• You are the future.
• And with all of your friends here at NAFCU, you will grow stronger."

Berger's remarks can be viewed here.

NAFCU's Annual Conference runs through Friday. For up-to-date coverage of the conference, follow #NAFCUAnnual on Twitter. The conference's signature sponsor is Strategic Resource Management – a NAFCU Services Corporation Preferred Partner for vendor cost benchmarking and negotiation services.