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NCUA diversity, inclusion summit set for Nov. 6
"Credit unions are stronger, and they serve their members and communities better, when they promote greater diversity, equity, and inclusion as part of their business model," NCUA Chairman Rodney Hood said in a release announcing the agency's first Credit Union Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Summit.
The summit, set for Nov. 6 in Alexandria, Va., will feature panel discussions with experts and credit union representatives on:
- best practices for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion;
- recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce; and
- collecting diversity data.
In addition, the summit will include a think-tank exercise to generate conversation and solutions to challenges in advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in the credit union industry. The NCUA will demonstrate its credit union diversity self-assessment, "which helps credit unions identify opportunities to strengthen diversity and inclusion policies and practices within their organizations," the release said.
At NAFCU's Congressional Caucus last month, a number of lawmakers encouraged credit unions to complete this self-assessment to ensure the industry is well-positioned to serve all in their communities. The House Financial Services Committee, chaired by Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., this Congress established a new Subcommittee on Diversity and Inclusion.
"I have described financial inclusion as the civil rights issue of our time, and by 'inclusion,' I mean not only broader access to affordable financial services, but also to employment and business opportunities," Hood said. "Our country is going through a period of profound demographic change, and our financial system should be leading efforts to respond to that change."
Additional details on and registration – which is recommended as space will be limited – for this free summit are available on the NCUA's website.