"Where Are We Now and Who Is on First?"

Thanks to two credit union friends for sharing the following - Dean Borland and Dennis McCuistion.

Global economic stress isn’t created overnight and it does not result from isolated, micro-economic influences. And, once created, global economic stress cannot be remedied quickly or easily. So, as plans were being laid in the fall of 2008 for the January 2009 TCUL Chapter Leaders Conference, it seem that a review of current the economic and political climate would be a timely topic for credit union leaders.

With that objective in mind, Dennis McCuistion, a former banker, internationally known speaker, author, and host of PBS’s syndicated "McCuistion," a "Donahue-style" program focusing on economic, social, business and political issues, was engaged to speak to Chapter Leaders about the events and issues that led us into the current economic downturn and what it will take to pull ourselves out. Dennis’ white paper, “Where Are We Now and Who Is on First?” was prepared as a handout for the TCUL Chapter Leaders Conference. It stands as a sobering chronology of the events that have led to what may be one of the worst economic downturns this nation and the world has seen in the last half-decade.

Credit Union Resources, Inc. and its OnBalance service are pleased to have been able to bring Mr. McCuistion to the Chapter Leaders Conference and would now like to share Dennis’ insights with you, the present and future leaders of the credit union industry. Our hope is that you will learn from the mistakes of the past in order to move forward and forge a better future for credit unions and our members.